NEW YORK CITY, NY - Brighter Bites, a national nonprofit committed to improving the long-term health of children and families, is pleased to share the success of its silent auction, which also included an in-person event at this year’s New York Produce Show. As a direct result of the generosity and enthusiasm of sponsors and donors, the auction raised a total of $225,515 in support of their mission to improve access to fresh food and nutrition education.

“We’re deeply grateful for the outpouring of support from our friends, supporters, and partners this year,” said Amy Priebe, newly named Chief Operating Officer of Brighter Bites. in the recent release. “Each contribution fuels our ability to deliver fresh food, nutrition education, and lasting impact for the families we serve.”

In addition to the online event, Brighter Bites hosted two days of silent auction activations at the New York Produce Show, where thousands of attendees connected with the organization’s mission. A curated selection of items including a special collection of wines from the late Jim Prevor, a beloved industry leader and a central figure in shaping the New York Produce Show, was showcased at both the opening cocktail reception and a double-booth display. Attendees played a major role in the auction’s overall success through their enthusiastic and competitive bidding.

“We asked the industry to support this effort, and they overwhelmed us with their support. It is gratifying to see the produce community rally around our work.” said Rich Dachman, CEO of Brighter Bites. “Their generosity doesn’t just fund our programs; it reinforces that our mission resonates deeply across the industry that feeds America.”

Brighter Bites extends its sincere appreciation to Phoenix Media Network, Inc whose generosity in providing complimentary, full-event presence enabled Brighter Bites to connect with attendees throughout the show.

Longtime Brighter Bites supporter and board member Melissa Ackerman, Co-Founder of Planet Harvest, also purchased multiple packages in support of the auction. “Fresh produce is foundational to health, and Brighter Bites is making that foundation accessible to families who need it most,” Ackerman said. “I’m proud to support this mission personally and as part of the produce industry.”

Brighter Bites is grateful for the commitment of sponsors who made this year’s auction possible, including: Nature Sweet, Driscoll’s, Braga Fresh Family farms, Taylor Farms, EarthFresh, Lange, Dole, MD Anderson, UTHealth Houston, Tonya Antle, Bolthouse Fresh Foods, Arizona Diamondbacks, Oppy, Maui Fresh International, Prosource Produce, and Sigma Sales Produce.

Brighter Bites also extends their warmest thanks to the many individuals, businesses, and organizations who contributed unique and generous items to the auction. Their creativity and kindness helped drive strong participation and played a significant role in reaching this year’s fundraising milestone.

For more information about the Brighter Bites program, visit http://www.brighterbites.org, or follow the organization on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or YouTube.

MOUNT KISCO, NY - Direct Source Marketing’s™ principle is simple: execution. Since 2008, the company has built its business acumen on reliability, follow-up, and accountability—values that have become less common in an increasingly transactional produce landscape.

“We are very proud and work very hard for our customers to ensure that we are a trusted go-to import resource for fruit from November through April,” says President and Founder Ira Greenstein.

Direct Source’s strength begins with its investment in farming. The company owns and operates and has direct investment and financial support in table grape vineyards in Peru and Chile, as well as in strawberry fields in California. This vertical structure is built for us to be able to deliver on commitments by controlling our supply chain and delivering the kind of visual impact and eating experience that builds loyalty and repeat purchases.

Direct Source farms more than 400 acres of Sun World varieties in Peru, with AUTUMNCRISP® and RUBY RUSH® as their flagship table grape brands. Through our farming effort of focusing on quality, flavor, texture, and berry size, Direct Source Marketing™ has been recognized for the last three years as one of Sun World’s Best-in-Class growers, importers, and marketers, underscoring its long-term commitment to excellence.

The majority of our grapes imported from Peru are packed in our Direct Source Marketing™ label and bag under strict guidelines ensuring our customers receive one box, one label, one consistent high-quality pack.

While farming anchors the business, customer relationships define it. Direct Source Marketing™ operates with the principles on which the company was founded—direct customer relationships, transparency, and delivering on commitments. This relationship-driven approach has helped the company cultivate strong collaboration with our growers, our logistics professionals, and our retail customers in executing programs. We strive to add value to our relationships.

As the industry evolves, Direct Source sees its greatest opportunity in keeping true to these core principles: farming for quality; treating customers like partners, opening up new markets on the West Coast, and delivering on every commitment with reliability and execution. Whether supplying premium Sun World grapes, imported flavorful cherries, plump blueberries, or sweet strawberries, Direct Source Marketing™ remains focused on the fundamentals that matter most—communication, problem solving, and execution.