BAKERSFIELD, CA - Expanding its successful and uplifting program, Brighter Bites partnered with Grimmway Farms and CAPK to launch its ninth location in Bakersfield, California. Together, the three produce allies will help improve the health of students and families in the region through nutrition education, access to free fresh produce weekly, and key tips on how to store and cook fruits and veggies.
“We’ve reached quite the milestone launching three locations in California in less than a year, and we are nowhere near complete,” said Rich Dachman, Chief Executive Officer of Brighter Bites. “We are very thankful to our partners who make our mission possible and look forward to seeing these programs flourish throughout the year.”
Backed by support from CalFresh Healthy Living (SNAP-Ed), this will be the third Brighter Bites program location in California, joining Salinas and Los Angeles, a release explained. The nonprofit organization has plans to continue expanding across the United States to create even more healthy communities.
Brighter Bites’ programming will kick off with the Vineland School District and will serve approximately 150–200 families per week. The program will then offer three different produce box pickup sites during the summer, with the expectation of adding at least six more schools for the fall school year.
For its part in this key program, Grimmway Farms has committed to $60,000 as well as weekly produce donations to keep fueling the organization’s expansion.
“Grimmway has a long history of investment in our local communities, and we continue to take the responsibility of stewardship very seriously,” shared Dana Brennan, Vice President of Government and Public Affairs at Grimmway. “It is an honor to partner with and champion an organization like Brighter Bites—who shares our vision of coming alongside the younger generations struggling with food insecurity delivering fresh produce and the tools necessary to create a lifetime of healthy habits.”
Since its inception in 2012, Brighter Bites has distributed over 40 million lbs of produce and hundreds of thousands of nutrition education materials to over 500,000 individuals through schools, after-school programs, and summer camps in the areas it serves.
Where will Brighter Bites take its program next? Keep a tab open for AndNowUKnow for the answers.
