Houston-based Brighter Bites, a national nonprofit that delivers fresh fruits and vegetables directly into families’ hands, has announced another year of partnership with Zespri Kiwifruit for the current 2023-24 school year. This partnership will have impact on all 11 programming cities this year, according to a news release.
“We are excited to continue our partnership with Brighter Bites! Together, we are passionate about promoting healthier choices and supporting communities that can use a little extra help,’ Jeanne Wilson, Zespri Kiwifruit head of marketing for the North American market, said in the release. “We’re cooking up some creative ways to make kiwifruit a staple in households. It’s not just about the fruit; it’s about creating real, lasting change in the way people eat, and we’re thrilled to be part of that journey.”
To build on the partnership this summer, Zespri Kiwifruit employed a marketing campaign at Gelson’s stores in Los Angeles and together Zespri and Gelson’s, through their Making Change donation program at checkout, contributed one dollar each to Brighter Bites for every kiwi pack sold. The campaign was successful in empowering shoppers to participate in a worthy cause through their purchase while increasing brand visibility for Brighter Bites, Zespri, and Gelson’s, the release said.
“We are thankful for a partner like Zespri Kiwifruit,” Melissa McDonald, director of development at Brighter Bites, said in the release. “We’ve had the pleasure of working with their team for the past year and they have been instrumental in providing a more nutritious variety to our program.”
In addition to the summer campaign, Zespri made a monetary donation and committed to volunteer days to support Brighter Bites’ mission to create communities of health. This donation will be used to continue Brighter Bites’ efforts to provide a variety of fresh produce to families across the country.
To create excitement within the classroom, Brighter Bites and Zespri have also announced their second kiwi-themed art contest. Students will submit artwork inspired by the life of a kiwi, and the prize winners are to be announced in January.
“This year, we’re excited to lean into National Farm to School Month to encourage kids to learn where healthy foods come from and tap into their creative side by creating some kiwi-inspired art,” Wilson said. “We’re hoping this little challenge will inspire kids to learn more about kiwifruit and ultimately create healthier habits for life.”
