Brighter Bites launches in San Diego
Brighter Bites launches in San Diego
Brighter Bites officially launched its San Diego program at Jefferson Elementary School. The kickoff on Sept. 23 marked 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. “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
- 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.
“We are thrilled to bring Brighter Bites to San Diego," said Brighter Bites CEO Rich Dachman. "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 Dec. 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.”
