Brighter Bites

Developer

UTHealth School of Public Health

Year

2021

Brighter Bites is a school-based health promotion program designed to change the behavior of children and their families to prevent childhood obesity and achieve long-term health outcomes.. Brighter Bites includes: a) weekly produce distribution, b) nutrition education in schools and for parents, and c) a weekly fun food recipe tasting experience during produce pick up time. Brighter Bites is implemented for 16 weeks during the school year and 8 weeks during the summer. Participating schools are also trained to implement the evidence-based Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH) curriculum other evidence-based programs that promote healthy food choices and physical activity. This comprehensive approach supports the shift in the culture of each school and families within that school toward being healthier and more focused on nutrition and healthy living.

Website

https://brighterbites.org

mike.pomeroy@brighterbites.org

Funding Source

USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), corporate sponsors

Free Material

Yes

Cost ($)

$0.00

SNAP-Ed Toolkit Classification

Research-tested

Evidence

Evaluated
Pilot Tested
Validated

Evaluation Information

Brighter Bites is theoretically grounded in the Social Cognitive Theory constructs to produce behavior change. UTHealth conducted a two-year evaluation of Brighter Bites across 6 schools that received the program, and 6 schools that implemented CATCH only (760 parent-child dyads). Results of the study demonstrated that, as compared to children and families that did not receive Brighter Bites, those participating in Brighter Bites reported: Significant increases in servings of fruits and vegetables consumed Significant increases in serving more fruits and vegetables as snacks A significant decrease in added sugars consumed among children A two-fold increase in cooking meals using basic ingredients

Research Articles

Research and Publications

Evaluation Framework Indicators