BrightSide Produce is a full-service produce distribution service operated out of the Fowler College of Business at San Diego State University. The student-powered non-profit:
- distributes fresh produce to corner, liquor, and convenience stores, and small markets in San Diego communities
- grows produce and sources from local farmers
- and reduces food waste through produce rescue, donations, and composting.
Founded in 2017, BrightSide currently delivers fresh produce to partner stores in National City and the south and southeast regions of the city of San Diego. As a result of BrightSide Produce’s distribution services, the majority of residents in these communities have access to a retailer that offers fresh, affordable produce within a ten-minute walk of their homes.
Mission
BrightSide Produce is committed to increasing access to healthy food options through produce deliveries, while reducing food waste and strengthening the local food system in San Diego County.
Three Pillars
- BrightSide Produce increases healthy food access through produce distribution.
- BrightSide Produce is managed and operated by San Diego State University students.
- BrightSide Produce is an established organization in San Diego County.
Vision
BrightSide Produce’s vision is for everyone in San Diego County to have access to fresh affordable produce.
BrightSide Produce Increases Healthy Food Access through Produce Distribution in
San Diego Communities
The Problem: Some communities have more liquor, corner, and small food stores than supermarkets and these stores provide limited healthy food options. Unhealthy eating is associated with adverse mental and physical health outcomes in children and adults.
The Solution: BrightSide Produce developed and implemented a produce distribution service that increases produce accessibility, availability, and affordability by working with small and medium-sized food, corner, and liquor stores already located within and serving the communities. BrightSide Produce distributes produce to partner stores in National City and the city of San Diego weekly and provides storeowners with a suite of services to ensure that they can successfully and profitably stock produce.
Community Impact: BrightSide Produce delivers produce weekly to stores in National City and in the city of San Diego. As a result of Brightside Produce’s distribution to its partner stores, the majority of residents in these communities have access to fresh produce within a ten-minute walk of their homes.
College Campuses
BrightSide is committed to increasing access to affordable fresh produce on SDSU campus through produce sales and donations. On the SDSU Campus, BrightSide Produce operates the BrightSide Produce Stand, which is located outside of the SDSU Bookstore. The BrightSide Produce Stand offers fresh fruits and vegetables, including farm-fresh produce from our local partners, and is open to all students, faculty, staff, and community members. Visit us on Thursdays to “pay what you want” and help support our SDSU community.
The BrightSide Produce Stand provides the SDSU community a convenient on-campus option for fresh produce. It allows SDSU community members to have access to affordable fresh fruits and vegetables while supporting deliveries of produce to San Diego communities.
BrightSide Produce is Managed and Operated by San Diego State University Students
BrightSide Produce is operated by undergraduate and graduate students at SDSU. BrightSide Produce provides students with the opportunity to have a direct impact on the local community. Students are involved in a transformational learning experience that fosters an appreciation for community needs and motivates innovative thinking to address them.
Students who participate in BrightSide Produce activities have the opportunity to represent BrightSide Produce in our local communities at community events and through partnerships with local schools and non-profits.
Students interested in joining the BrightSide Produce team can apply to the BrightSide Produce internship program, which is offered in the fall, spring, and summer semesters, and may be eligible to earn course credit for their participation.
BrightSide Produce is an Established Organization in San Diego County
Since its launch, BrightSide Produce has had a noticeable, short-term, and long-term impact in the communities it serves. It is an experienced and established organization committed to improving food access, reducing food waste, and ending hunger in San Diego. It literally increases access to healthy foods in communities by delivering produce to stores weekly, reaching residents near their homes and in their communities, and improving health.
BrightSide increases healthy food access and reduces food waste, while strengthening the local food system and contributing to economic development. It has established relationships and partnerships with over 50 non-profit, for-profit and government organizations in San Diego.
Partnerships
Awards and Recognition
Contact
For more information about BrightSide Produce, including any questions or requests for information on how to join our team or contribute to our efforts, please email brightside.crs@sdsu.edu.
