HOUSTON, TX - Brighter Bites, a national nonprofit delivering fresh fruits and vegetables and nutrition education to families, announced today that it has received $20,000 in support from the American Heart Association as its Houston program reaches its largest footprint since the organization was founded in the city in 2012.

Brighter Bites is kicking off the 2026–27 school year at a record 62 Houston-area schools. With support from the American Heart Association, Brighter Bites will provide 12,000 families and 35,000 students with regular access to fresh fruits and vegetables alongside nutrition education designed to help children build healthy habits that extend beyond the classroom and into the home.

“This is an exciting milestone for Brighter Bites and for the Houston community where our work began,” said Rich Dachman, CEO of Brighter Bites, in the recent release. “We’re grateful to the American Heart Association for investing in our continued growth and helping us reach more Houston families with fresh food and the tools to build healthy habits.”

The American Heart Association’s $20,000 contribution will support Brighter Bites’ produce distributions at two participating Houston schools during the 2026–27 school year, helping the organization build on more than a decade of work supporting healthier families in its hometown.

"Access to nutritious foods plays an important role in helping children and families live healthier lives," said Emily Gordon-Araki, Senior Community Impact Director for the American Heart Association Houston Market. "Brighter Bites is expanding that access for thousands of Houston families while helping children build healthy habits that can last a lifetime. We are proud to support efforts that make it easier for families to choose healthy foods and improve their overall well-being."

Brighter Bites was founded in Houston in 2012 and has since grown into a national nonprofit serving communities across the country. During the 2026–27 school year, the organization will partner with more than 200 schools nationwide and reach approximately 265,450 children and family members. This year’s record Houston footprint reflects the organization’s continued commitment to expanding access to fresh, nutritious food in the community where its work began.

Brighter Bites school-based program combines access to fresh produce with evidence-based nutrition education, using schools as trusted community hubs to reach children and their families where they are. Through produce distributions, participating families receive a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables at no cost. Students also participate in nutrition education throughout the school year, helping them learn about healthy foods and giving families practical resources to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into their daily routines.