Support "Pay What You Can" Home Deliveries

Since 2020, BrightSide Produce has operated a Pay What You Can fresh produce delivery subscription that is completely funded by small donors and run by volunteers. Recipients pay an amount they can afford to receive a large grocery bag full of fruits and veggies right at their doorstep each week. Donors cover the difference between the produce cost and what folks pay on a sliding scale. 

We need YOUR help to keep providing reliable weekly deliveries of fresh, nutritious food to Twin Cities families in need.

Who does BrightSide's Pay What You Can program serve? 

80% of our participants are Spanish speakers with a household income of less than $30,000 per year. Our program currently serves about 50 families living in Minneapolis & St. Paul. 

What do our participants have to say about BrightSide's service?

(Some responses translated from Spanish)

“I am so grateful. I’m not able to get to the store and I don’t have extra money to buy fresh fruits and vegetables.” 

“I always know there is going to be a fruit or vegetable we can add into our meals. If we were shopping, we’d get this once or twice a month. But with this program, its weekly.”

"I can’t thank you enough for all of it. I would not be remembering what it is like to have fresh fruits and vegetables by now if I had not become part of the program. It is such a gift and would otherwise be such a struggle."

What makes BrightSide's service distinct from other food access programs in the Twin Cities?

We deliver fresh produce right to the doorstep of our participants 52 weeks a year. Our novel home delivery approach overcomes many common barriers to food access like transportation and limited hours at food shelves. Also, we do not deliver donated "seconds" produce, so our recipients receive a high quality mix of fresh fruits and vegetables each week.

How else can I support BrightSide's Pay What You Can program? 

Volunteer! Every week we rely on a small team of volunteers to pack and deliver produce bags. It is a fun and easy way of giving back to the community and helping more of our neighbors have access to healthy food. Send us an email to learn more about volunteering: info@brightsidempls.org

What else does BrightSide do to expand access to healthy food?

For 10 years, we have helped corner stores in underserved, urban neighborhoods stock fresh produce on their shelves. Our stores are mostly located in food deserts where residents have few retail options to purchase healthy food. We currently serve 40 stores in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

We also operate Food as Medicine (Produce Rx) programs in partnership with local community health clinics. We deliver fresh produce directly to patients home as part of their treatment plan. We have delivered to over 450 clients through this program. 

Are there other ways to support BrightSide's food access work?

Yes! We offer an online farmers market for Twin Cities residents. Folks sign up for weekly produce bundles curated to your preferences, and can add on artisanal products from local growers and makers like farm eggs, coffee beans, premium mushrooms, microgreens, and more. All the proceeds from this service goes directly back into supporting our food access work.