SAN DIEGO, CA - Brighter Bites, a national nonprofit dedicated to creating communities of health through fresh food, officially launched its San Diego program at Jefferson Elementary School. The kickoff on September 23 marks an exciting milestone in the organization’s mission to improve long-term health outcomes for children and families through access to fresh produce and hands-on nutrition education.
The 2025–26 school year represents Brighter Bites San Diego’s first full year of programming following the successful merger with +BOX, a locally founded nutrition assistance initiative. Together, these efforts are bringing a proven, evidence-based model to North County schools and families facing increasing food insecurity.
“This has been a year of transition, rebuilding, and quiet determination for Brighter Bites San Diego,” said Wesley Burt, founder of +BOX, in the recent release. “Following our merger, our team has worked tirelessly to strengthen partnerships, align systems, and lay the groundwork for a stronger, more sustainable future. We’re now better positioned than ever to serve families across our community—and we’re just getting started.”
This school year, Brighter Bites San Diego plans to serve 12 schools across the region, providing:
- 384,000 pounds of fresh produce
- 16 biweekly produce distributions per school
- Nutrition education for approximately 6,000 students
- Support for 1,500 families (averaging 125 families per school)
Each participating family will receive about 16 pounds of fresh produce every other week, along with recipes, cooking tips, and nutrition lessons designed to make healthy eating both accessible and enjoyable.
“Brighter Bites continues to make a meaningful difference for our families by providing access to fresh, healthy produce twice a month,” said Erin Feeley, Superintendent, Bella Mente Montessori Academy. “Their generosity supports our mission to nurture the whole child and ensures that families facing food insecurity can bring nutritious meals to their tables. We’re incredibly grateful for their partnership and the positive impact they bring to our school community.”
“With everything rising in cost, it’s been hard to keep fresh fruits and vegetables in our home,” shared a Bella Mente parent. “The support from Brighter Bites has eased our worries and brought more healthy options to our family’s meals. My children look forward to trying new foods, and we’re all eating healthier because of it.”
Brighter Bites CEO Rich Dachman added, “We are thrilled to bring Brighter Bites to San Diego. This expansion allows us to serve even more families with fresh produce and nutrition education, helping children build lifelong healthy habits. We are especially thankful to the Burt family for establishing +Box and for the opportunity to partner with them. Our work wouldn’t be possible without their generosity and vision. San Diego is a vibrant community, and we’re honored to be part of it.”
As grocery prices climb and CalFresh and Medi-Cal benefits are reduced, the need for programs like Brighter Bites is greater than ever. The San Diego team aims to raise $150,000 by December 31 to position the program for expanded reach in 2026.
“Brighter Bites San Diego is about more than food—it’s about stability, dignity, and hope,” Burt said. “Together, we can ensure every family in our community has the opportunity to thrive.”
To hear more about the merger and the vision for Brighter Bites San Diego, listen to “Spotlight on the Community” featuring Wesley Burt and Gregg Burt, former +BOX Board President and current Brighter Bites National Board Member. The episode is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
For more information or to support Brighter Bites San Diego, visit www.brighterbites.org.
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Brighter Bites
Brighter Bites is a nonprofit that delivers fresh fruits and vegetables directly into families’ hands, while teaching…
