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\\u201cWithout exception, I\\u2019ve never talked about Brighter Bites and not had someone say, \\u2018That\'s amazing. I want to support that. I want to be a part of that.\\u2019\\u201d

Rich Dachman (22:09-22:23)

Rich Dachman is the former vice-president of produce for Sysco and was an executive at Sysco for almost three decades. He is now the CEO of the Brighter Brights.\\xa0

The road that led him to Brighter Bites started with a newspaper article he read about a Lisa Helfman, a woman on a mission to bring more fruits and vegetables to families. After spending so many years in the produce industry, Rich saw this new opportunity as a higher calling to make a difference in the lives of others.\\xa0

\\u201cIt\'s pretty much impossible to be healthy if you don\'t eat fruits and vegetables.\\u201d - Rich Dachman\\xa0 (2:49-2:56)

Rich connected with the Brighter Bites founders Lisa Helfman and Dr. Shreela Sharma and was soon on the board of directors before ultimately becoming the CEO and running the organization. He\\u2019s playing a major role in carrying out the non-profit\\u2019s mantra and ethos: Creating communities of health through fresh food.\\xa0

Brighter Bites mission focuses on behavioral changes that support health. When Lisa Helfman first started Brighter Bites, she wanted to start a food co-op to give out produce to families at schools. Over time, Brighter Bites began partnering with food banks around the country.\\xa0

They now provide fresh and healthy produce to families through schools alongside a nutrition education program that helps students and their families understand the essentials of healthy eating.\\xa0

\\u201cThe produce industry is a higher-calling industry. It\\u2019s a mission-driven industry. We\\u2019re supplying the world with the most nutrient-dense food....period.\\u201d - Lori Taylor (03:52-4:05)

Brighter Bites started in one school,\\xa0 and now it\\u2019s in over a hundred schools. A project that started with just a few families now reaches over 25,000 families with that number continuing to grow.\\xa0

The Impact Brighter Bites is Making to the Fresh Produce Industry\\xa0

Businesses in the produce industry tend to focus on consumption...both for business and public health reasons.\\xa0

Brighter Bites wants people to eat more fruits and vegetables as part of the goal of combating obesity and diabetes, especially in children.\\xa0

Brighter Bites is the only non-profit program that actually gives the food to the families, educates them on health, and has a direct impact on their wellbeing.\\xa0

Brighter Bites is focusing on making healthy eating fun. They\\u2019re helping food-insecure communities get the nutrition they need. Creating a community around health makes the process of giving food to families an extraordinary experience for the organization, its volunteers, teachers, and parents.\\xa0

The services that Brighter Bites provides is free to families. They organization welcomes donations on their website and offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities.\\xa0

When people read about Brighter Bites, when they hear about it and\\xa0 see it, they want to get behind it.\\xa0

Brighter Bites is creating consumers for the produce industry in a sustainable way. Schools and their families continue to eat fruits and vegetables long after they\\u2019re no longer in the program. Creating new\\xa0 consumers is good for health and for humanity. It\\u2019s good for the entire produce industry.\\xa0

How to get involved

• You can learn more about Brighter Bites and their mission by visiting their website at www.brighterbites.org.\\xa0
• Join The Produce Moms Group on Facebook and continue the discussion every week!\\xa0
• Reach out to us - we\\u2019d love to hear more about where you are in life and business! Find out more here.\\xa0

If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we\\u2019d love for you to help us spread the word!