PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MD - As it continues to offer fresh produce and nutritional information to families in underrepresented communities, Brighter Bites has officially completed a successful 2020-2021 school year in the Washington, DC, and Prince George’s County areas. Throughout the program, the industry partner provided a total of 2,872 families with boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables and hundreds of nutrition education resources.
“Brighter Bites in Prince George’s County had a very successful school year despite the logistical challenges due to COVID-19,” said Carolina Moppett, Senior Program Manager for Brighter Bites’ Washington, DC-area operations. “We were so pleased to serve over 2,800 families this year, and to receive such enthusiastic feedback from our participating teachers.”
The boxes totaled 616,218 pounds of fresh produce, and each contained eight to 10 unique produce items on average, according to a press release. The Brighter Bites programming took place at 10 sites including elementary schools in Adelphi, Capitol Heights, Glenarden, Hyattsville, Landover, Landover Hills, and Riverdale.
“The Brighter Bites program was instrumental in educating our school communities about good nutrition, encouraging families to try new foods, and keeping our community fed, especially during the pandemic when finances and other resources were quite limited for many,” said Valerie Brooks, an educator at Cool Spring Elementary School in Adelphi. “Brighter Bites was a blessing to many families here at Cool Spring.”
In addition to these produce boxes, Brighter Bites provided teachers with CATCH online nutrition lessons and videos around produce-related activities. CATCH stands for Coordinated Approach to Child Health and encourages children and communities to adopt healthier lifestyles.
"As the Prince George's County Council Member representing many Brighter Bites families, I am so pleased with the impact the organization is making in our communities," said Prince George's County Council Member Dannielle M. Glaros (D-District 3). "The fruits and vegetables, as well as the nutrition education materials that have been distributed, have been so well received and appreciated by all."
Brighter Bites’ success in the 2020–2021 school year is also a product of its formidable alliances with major DC-area partners such as the Capital Area Food Band and Coastal Sunbelt Produce, which have consistently provided produce and and arranged deliveries to the schools since the start of the program.
Brighter Bites will continue its efforts to make fresh produce more accessible to underrepresented communities, so keep clicking on ANUK to stay in the know.
