Brighter Bites Announces Partnership in CareFirst's Place-Based Grants Initiative; Rich Dachman Comments

WASHINGTON, DC - Brighter Bites, a national nonprofit that delivers fresh fruits and vegetables directly into families’ hands, is proud to announce it has been awarded a grant through CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield’s (CareFirst) Place-Based Grants Initiative. As a recipient of CareFirst’s Place-Based Grants Initiative, Brighter Bites and its partners, the Institute for Public Health Innovation, the Prince George's County Food Equity Council, and Georgetown University, will collaborate to address diabetes and diet-related chronic conditions for sustainable improvements in community health.

This initiative is a part of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield's (CareFirst) recent investment of $7.1 million in 31 community-based organizations in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

As the 2025-26 school year begins, Brighter Bites and The Prince George's County Food Equity Council will work together to enhance our produce distribution and nutrition education programming, distributing fresh produce bi-weekly on school campuses, offering culturally tailored and community driven recipe demonstrations, and providing systems navigation support to assist families in identifying and enrolling in other community services.

According to a press release, this collaborative approach to improving community health will take place on six elementary school campuses in Prince George's County, MD over the next three school years:

• James Harrison Elementary (South Laurel)
• Highbridge Elementary (Bowie)
• Scotchtown Hills Elementary (Landover area)
• District Heights Elementary
• Hillcrest Hills Elementary
• John Bayne Elementary (Capitol Heights)

“This grant enables us to deepen our impact in Prince George’s County and work alongside trusted local partners to create long-term health equity,” said Rich Dachman, CEO of Brighter Bites. The initiative underscores a shared commitment to community-driven health solutions and marks a strategic investment in reducing chronic disease at the local level. “Together, we are empowering families with the tools, knowledge, and access they need to lead healthier lives.”

By building existing community assets and trusted relationships within schools, the program aims to deliver measurable outcomes and lasting change over the next three school years.

For more information about the Brighter Bites Washington, D.C. metro area program, visit www.brighterbites.org/location/washingtondc.