[Applause] about ten years ago people would have
about ten years ago people would have
about ten years ago people would have looked at me and thought I was healthy I
looked at me and thought I was healthy I
looked at me and thought I was healthy I was running half marathons I looked at
was running half marathons I looked at
was running half marathons I looked at he’s married with the baby
he’s married with the baby
he’s married with the baby I was on the partnership track at one of
I was on the partnership track at one of
I was on the partnership track at one of the top law firms in the country and I
the top law firms in the country and I
the top law firms in the country and I had a million friends I think people
had a million friends I think people
had a million friends I think people would have thought I was happy to after
would have thought I was happy to after
would have thought I was happy to after all I was doing everything right in
all I was doing everything right in
all I was doing everything right in reality I was unhappy and certainly
reality I was unhappy and certainly
reality I was unhappy and certainly unhealthy I was throwing up in the
unhealthy I was throwing up in the
unhealthy I was throwing up in the bathroom almost every day at work from
bathroom almost every day at work from
bathroom almost every day at work from stress migraines I was getting five
stress migraines I was getting five
stress migraines I was getting five sinus infections a year and taking
sinus infections a year and taking
sinus infections a year and taking steroids every time just so I could get
steroids every time just so I could get
steroids every time just so I could get back to work quicker
back to work quicker
back to work quicker it was yo-yo dieting with lots of
it was yo-yo dieting with lots of
it was yo-yo dieting with lots of processed food so much diet dr. pepper
processed food so much diet dr. pepper
processed food so much diet dr. pepper that I had the firm put it into our soda
that I had the firm put it into our soda
that I had the firm put it into our soda machines yeah that’s right and here I’m
machines yeah that’s right and here I’m
machines yeah that’s right and here I’m talking to you about health today I
talking to you about health today I
talking to you about health today I brought in a bowel syndrome yeah that’s
brought in a bowel syndrome yeah that’s
brought in a bowel syndrome yeah that’s probably TMI regular cases of strep
probably TMI regular cases of strep
probably TMI regular cases of strep throat exhaustion a marriage that was
throat exhaustion a marriage that was
throat exhaustion a marriage that was falling apart belittling myself every
falling apart belittling myself every
falling apart belittling myself every day of the week for not being good
day of the week for not being good
day of the week for not being good enough or thin enough and significant
enough or thin enough and significant
enough or thin enough and significant anxiety in every aspect of my life at
anxiety in every aspect of my life at
anxiety in every aspect of my life at the end of this unhealthy cycle I got
the end of this unhealthy cycle I got
the end of this unhealthy cycle I got shingles
shingles
shingles I was 30 for 30 days they don’t get she
I was 30 for 30 days they don’t get she
I was 30 for 30 days they don’t get she knows it’s an old person disease today I
knows it’s an old person disease today I
knows it’s an old person disease today I am happy and healthy or at least I’m
am happy and healthy or at least I’m
am happy and healthy or at least I’m happier and healthier because we’re also
happier and healthier because we’re also
happier and healthier because we’re also working on it right
working on it right
working on it right and I got there in a most untraditional
and I got there in a most untraditional
and I got there in a most untraditional way not what they teach you in school I
way not what they teach you in school I
way not what they teach you in school I promise I planted the seed to care for
promise I planted the seed to care for
promise I planted the seed to care for myself which led me to caring for others
myself which led me to caring for others
myself which led me to caring for others and creating a nonprofit which is now
and creating a nonprofit which is now
and creating a nonprofit which is now turning into a national movement to
turning into a national movement to
turning into a national movement to create communities of health through
create communities of health through
create communities of health through fresh food and on this journey I learned
fresh food and on this journey I learned
fresh food and on this journey I learned to nourish myself than the way I was
to nourish myself than the way I was
to nourish myself than the way I was more the way I was learning and
more the way I was learning and
more the way I was learning and nourishing others I was serving and this
nourishing others I was serving and this
nourishing others I was serving and this untraditional method to achieve health
untraditional method to achieve health
untraditional method to achieve health and happiness it boil down to one simple
and happiness it boil down to one simple
and happiness it boil down to one simple principle caring creating this virtuous
principle caring creating this virtuous
principle caring creating this virtuous cycle of caring for myself and others so
cycle of caring for myself and others so
cycle of caring for myself and others so back to those shingles okay let’s be
back to those shingles okay let’s be
back to those shingles okay let’s be honest they really scared me and I ain’t
honest they really scared me and I ain’t
honest they really scared me and I ain’t ready to make a shift okay so I joined a
ready to make a shift okay so I joined a
ready to make a shift okay so I joined a co-op and I didn’t really do it for
co-op and I didn’t really do it for
co-op and I didn’t really do it for myself when you notice this mom this
myself when you notice this mom this
myself when you notice this mom this wife attorney active in the community I
wife attorney active in the community I
wife attorney active in the community I didn’t have time to go down I knew I
didn’t have time to go down I knew I
didn’t have time to go down I knew I needed to make a change in my eating so
needed to make a change in my eating so
needed to make a change in my eating so I did and as I added in more fresh food
I did and as I added in more fresh food
I did and as I added in more fresh food I crowded out the bad and the illnesses
I crowded out the bad and the illnesses
I crowded out the bad and the illnesses started decreasing my energy went up I
started decreasing my energy went up I
started decreasing my energy went up I became a little bit more positive to ask
became a little bit more positive to ask
became a little bit more positive to ask for in a few years my boys
for in a few years my boys
for in a few years my boys Nathan and Giroux we’re now three and
Nathan and Giroux we’re now three and
Nathan and Giroux we’re now three and six and that’s us enjoying our smoothies
six and that’s us enjoying our smoothies
six and that’s us enjoying our smoothies from the coop and I noticed that their
from the coop and I noticed that their
from the coop and I noticed that their eating habit started changing too so
eating habit started changing too so
eating habit started changing too so much so that you called me over to
much so that you called me over to
much so that you called me over to birthday party at six years old and he
birthday party at six years old and he
birthday party at six years old and he said mommy tried to eat this and I
said mommy tried to eat this and I
said mommy tried to eat this and I looked down it was cake what
looked down it was cake what
looked down it was cake what six-year-old reject
six-year-old reject
six-year-old reject this child like he had two heads and he
this child like he had two heads and he
this child like he had two heads and he was like it’s just you’re sweet so
was like it’s just you’re sweet so
was like it’s just you’re sweet so that’s right yeah I hadn’t even reach
that’s right yeah I hadn’t even reach
that’s right yeah I hadn’t even reach that in my future yet and over the next
that in my future yet and over the next
that in my future yet and over the next few months I couldn’t get what you did
few months I couldn’t get what you did
few months I couldn’t get what you did out of my head I was participating in
out of my head I was participating in
out of my head I was participating in the American Leadership Forum which by
the American Leadership Forum which by
the American Leadership Forum which by the way if you’re ever invited you
the way if you’re ever invited you
the way if you’re ever invited you should join because it might just change
should join because it might just change
should join because it might just change your life and it was right after the
your life and it was right after the
your life and it was right after the Affordable Care Act passed in our class
Affordable Care Act passed in our class
Affordable Care Act passed in our class was full of medical executives and
was full of medical executives and
was full of medical executives and health care providers and are all piping
health care providers and are all piping
health care providers and are all piping out so excited that this access to
out so excited that this access to
out so excited that this access to health care was gonna change the
health care was gonna change the
health care was gonna change the trajectory and the whole system and I
trajectory and the whole system and I
trajectory and the whole system and I spoke up and my kind of disrupter self
spoke up and my kind of disrupter self
spoke up and my kind of disrupter self and I said listen if we don’t start
and I said listen if we don’t start
and I said listen if we don’t start talking I’m preventing illness or
talking I’m preventing illness or
talking I’m preventing illness or pronate even gets to the doctor we have
pronate even gets to the doctor we have
pronate even gets to the doctor we have no chance in moving the needle on health
no chance in moving the needle on health
no chance in moving the needle on health care costs and at this point I should
care costs and at this point I should
care costs and at this point I should add in I was a lawyer at Texas
add in I was a lawyer at Texas
add in I was a lawyer at Texas Children’s Hospital and I was managing
Children’s Hospital and I was managing
Children’s Hospital and I was managing their real estate portfolio and I saw
their real estate portfolio and I saw
their real estate portfolio and I saw every piece of the system by having that
every piece of the system by having that
every piece of the system by having that job and let me tell you the one thing
job and let me tell you the one thing
job and let me tell you the one thing that was glaringly missing was
that was glaringly missing was
that was glaringly missing was prevention after all their motto was
prevention after all their motto was
prevention after all their motto was heal sick children and I’ll never forget
heal sick children and I’ll never forget
heal sick children and I’ll never forget the time I’m sitting with doctors on
the time I’m sitting with doctors on
the time I’m sitting with doctors on their clinic and they were lamenting
their clinic and they were lamenting
their clinic and they were lamenting that the numbers are down because there
that the numbers are down because there
that the numbers are down because there wasn’t enough flu that year and I knew
wasn’t enough flu that year and I knew
wasn’t enough flu that year and I knew that this key the shift in me the key to
that this key the shift in me the key to
that this key the shift in me the key to prevention was food so sitting at the
prevention was food so sitting at the
prevention was food so sitting at the 2011 season opener of the Houston Texans
2011 season opener of the Houston Texans
2011 season opener of the Houston Texans which you’re in Nathan’s dad we looked
which you’re in Nathan’s dad we looked
which you’re in Nathan’s dad we looked around and we saw what everyone was
around and we saw what everyone was
around and we saw what everyone was eating we kind of cringed and we thought
eating we kind of cringed and we thought
eating we kind of cringed and we thought if we can do this in our house how do we
if we can do this in our house how do we
if we can do this in our house how do we do this in underserved neighborhoods
do this in underserved neighborhoods
do this in underserved neighborhoods that lack access to fresh food and
that lack access to fresh food and
that lack access to fresh food and childhood obesity is really high I know
childhood obesity is really high I know
childhood obesity is really high I know that’s what everybody does it affects me
that’s what everybody does it affects me
that’s what everybody does it affects me Bama sit and try to solve few dozens and
Bama sit and try to solve few dozens and
Bama sit and try to solve few dozens and change the world but that’s hurry out
change the world but that’s hurry out
change the world but that’s hurry out that day so we came up with this formula
that day so we came up with this formula
that day so we came up with this formula produce distribution nutrition education
produce distribution nutrition education
produce distribution nutrition education and a phone food experience and we
and a phone food experience and we
and a phone food experience and we thought we should bring it to the school
thought we should bring it to the school
thought we should bring it to the school because that’s where kids already are so
because that’s where kids already are so
because that’s where kids already are so we’re gonna create coops we’re gonna
we’re gonna create coops we’re gonna
we’re gonna create coops we’re gonna educate the kids and their families and
educate the kids and their families and
educate the kids and their families and we’re gonna make it fun I’d go into your
we’re gonna make it fun I’d go into your
we’re gonna make it fun I’d go into your favorite grocery store which is probably
favorite grocery store which is probably
favorite grocery store which is probably h-e-b or Central Market right they take
h-e-b or Central Market right they take
h-e-b or Central Market right they take the formula back to my class and they
the formula back to my class and they
the formula back to my class and they liked it and they said we’ll help you
liked it and they said we’ll help you
liked it and they said we’ll help you we’ll introduce you to some of the
we’ll introduce you to some of the
we’ll introduce you to some of the community experts focused on food and
community experts focused on food and
community experts focused on food and childhood obesity and I was really
childhood obesity and I was really
childhood obesity and I was really passionate about food making change but
passionate about food making change but
passionate about food making change but let me be clear I had no idea what I was
let me be clear I had no idea what I was
let me be clear I had no idea what I was doing so one by one together we called
doing so one by one together we called
doing so one by one together we called in the experts and first I called Mike
in the experts and first I called Mike
in the experts and first I called Mike Feinberg the founder of Kipp charter
Feinberg the founder of Kipp charter
Feinberg the founder of Kipp charter schools and I should admit to you that I
schools and I should admit to you that I
schools and I should admit to you that I was their lawyer when I was at the firm
was their lawyer when I was at the firm
was their lawyer when I was at the firm so I could just call the founder of the
so I could just call the founder of the
so I could just call the founder of the nation’s largest Carter school movement
nation’s largest Carter school movement
nation’s largest Carter school movement but it also took me three months to get
but it also took me three months to get
but it also took me three months to get up the courage to make that call and I
up the courage to make that call and I
up the courage to make that call and I said Mike I’m gonna bring cups to your
said Mike I’m gonna bring cups to your
said Mike I’m gonna bring cups to your schools and I’m gonna change the way
schools and I’m gonna change the way
schools and I’m gonna change the way kids are eating and educate them and
kids are eating and educate them and
kids are eating and educate them and their parents it’s gonna be great we’re
their parents it’s gonna be great we’re
their parents it’s gonna be great we’re gonna make it fun and he goes I’ll give
gonna make it fun and he goes I’ll give
gonna make it fun and he goes I’ll give you a school and I thought oh my god
that’s okay you’ll put it together we’ll
that’s okay you’ll put it together we’ll figure it out so that’s what we did so
figure it out so that’s what we did so
figure it out so that’s what we did so next a classmate brought me to meet
next a classmate brought me to meet
next a classmate brought me to meet Brian Greene he’s the president of the
Brian Greene he’s the president of the
Brian Greene he’s the president of the Houston Food Bank just happens to be the
Houston Food Bank just happens to be the
Houston Food Bank just happens to be the largest food bank in the company in the
largest food bank in the company in the
largest food bank in the company in the country I should say and he’s a British
country I should say and he’s a British
country I should say and he’s a British distributor got tons of produce and I’ll
distributor got tons of produce and I’ll
distributor got tons of produce and I’ll take it on as my personal project and I
take it on as my personal project and I
take it on as my personal project and I thought you have produce food banks
thought you have produce food banks
thought you have produce food banks isn’t that all shelf-stable food because
isn’t that all shelf-stable food because
isn’t that all shelf-stable food because at least millions of pounds of produce
at least millions of pounds of produce
at least millions of pounds of produce or wasted every year in fact 60 million
or wasted every year in fact 60 million
or wasted every year in fact 60 million tons of fresh food goes wasted every
tons of fresh food goes wasted every
tons of fresh food goes wasted every year and I think of things in terms of
year and I think of things in terms of
year and I think of things in terms of pounds that’s a hundred and twenty
pounds that’s a hundred and twenty
pounds that’s a hundred and twenty billion pounds of fresh food goes wasted
billion pounds of fresh food goes wasted
billion pounds of fresh food goes wasted and my next classmate brought me to meet
and my next classmate brought me to meet
and my next classmate brought me to meet this who would become this movements
this who would become this movements
this who would become this movements co-founder my kindred spirit one of my
co-founder my kindred spirit one of my
co-founder my kindred spirit one of my very best friends
very best friends
very best friends dr. shriya sharma an epidemiologist at
dr. shriya sharma an epidemiologist at
dr. shriya sharma an epidemiologist at UT School of Public Health
UT School of Public Health
UT School of Public Health and she said oh I’ve got the
and she said oh I’ve got the
and she said oh I’ve got the evidence-based nutrition curriculum I
evidence-based nutrition curriculum I
evidence-based nutrition curriculum I can give you that and I can also
can give you that and I can also
can give you that and I can also operationalize your formula and I’ve got
operationalize your formula and I’ve got
operationalize your formula and I’ve got a whole research team to study it
a whole research team to study it
a whole research team to study it yeah we’re in business lastly I met
yeah we’re in business lastly I met
yeah we’re in business lastly I met Scott McClellan the face of h-e-b
Scott McClellan the face of h-e-b
Scott McClellan the face of h-e-b grocery store you know that guy that’s
grocery store you know that guy that’s
grocery store you know that guy that’s in the commercials with JJ Watt yeah
in the commercials with JJ Watt yeah
in the commercials with JJ Watt yeah this is so much time working on
this is so much time working on
this is so much time working on logistics we were printing bags together
logistics we were printing bags together
logistics we were printing bags together or figuring out distribution routes you
or figuring out distribution routes you
or figuring out distribution routes you know talking what partner to bring in
know talking what partner to bring in
know talking what partner to bring in next two years later he hired me to come
next two years later he hired me to come
next two years later he hired me to come work for h-e-b and today my day job is
work for h-e-b and today my day job is
work for h-e-b and today my day job is to put stores on the ground in
to put stores on the ground in
to put stores on the ground in neighborhoods that don’t have them so
neighborhoods that don’t have them so
neighborhoods that don’t have them so together this team
together this team
together this team I made them phone calls late my emails
I made them phone calls late my emails
I made them phone calls late my emails lots of meetings in between we built
lots of meetings in between we built
lots of meetings in between we built this program with one school in the East
this program with one school in the East
this program with one school in the East End of downtown Houston we sent home 50
End of downtown Houston we sent home 50
End of downtown Houston we sent home 50 servings of produce with the families
servings of produce with the families
servings of produce with the families every week for eight weeks in the fall
every week for eight weeks in the fall
every week for eight weeks in the fall eight weeks in the spring and we found
eight weeks in the spring and we found
eight weeks in the spring and we found summer programs to do the same thing
summer programs to do the same thing
summer programs to do the same thing eight to twelve different items in these
eight to twelve different items in these
eight to twelve different items in these bags to get them excited and we trained
bags to get them excited and we trained
bags to get them excited and we trained the teachers to teach nutrition
the teachers to teach nutrition
the teachers to teach nutrition education curriculum over their regular
education curriculum over their regular
education curriculum over their regular curriculum in the classrooms when we
curriculum in the classrooms when we
curriculum in the classrooms when we send her nutrition handbooks new recipes
send her nutrition handbooks new recipes
send her nutrition handbooks new recipes and tip sheets so the parents can learn
and tip sheets so the parents can learn
and tip sheets so the parents can learn how to use all this new fresh food when
how to use all this new fresh food when
how to use all this new fresh food when they came to pick up their children they
they came to pick up their children they
they came to pick up their children they went home with two bags of fresh produce
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
and we gave him a rest sample of the
and we gave him a rest sample of the recipe of the week again like on your
recipe of the week again like on your
recipe of the week again like on your favorite grocery store and if we gave
favorite grocery store and if we gave
favorite grocery store and if we gave them kale we gave them kale smoothies
them kale we gave them kale smoothies
them kale we gave them kale smoothies and if we gave them pomegranates we gave
and if we gave them pomegranates we gave
and if we gave them pomegranates we gave them pair of pomegranate salad and we
them pair of pomegranate salad and we
them pair of pomegranate salad and we were nourishing them and I could see
were nourishing them and I could see
were nourishing them and I could see this shift occurring and at the time I
this shift occurring and at the time I
this shift occurring and at the time I thought it was just the food but later I
thought it was just the food but later I
thought it was just the food but later I was learning that it was equally
was learning that it was equally
was learning that it was equally important that we cared about them and
important that we cared about them and
important that we cared about them and every week I couldn’t wait to get back
every week I couldn’t wait to get back
every week I couldn’t wait to get back there and cull those plums make those
there and cull those plums make those
there and cull those plums make those smoothies and get filled up by their
smoothies and get filled up by their
smoothies and get filled up by their stories and this my friends this is
stories and this my friends this is
stories and this my friends this is spider bites and fast-forward five years
spider bites and fast-forward five years
spider bites and fast-forward five years later we have served now over forty
later we have served now over forty
later we have served now over forty thousand families over 15 million pounds
thousand families over 15 million pounds
thousand families over 15 million pounds of produce hundreds of thousands of
of produce hundreds of thousands of
of produce hundreds of thousands of nutrition education materials building
nutrition education materials building
nutrition education materials building programs first in Houston and in Dallas
programs first in Houston and in Dallas
programs first in Houston and in Dallas Austin New York City Washington DC in
Austin New York City Washington DC in
Austin New York City Washington DC in Southwest Florida and I promise you more
Southwest Florida and I promise you more
Southwest Florida and I promise you more is on the horizon and we have this
is on the horizon and we have this
is on the horizon and we have this amazing team of over 50 employees
amazing team of over 50 employees
amazing team of over 50 employees nourishing families nationwide and
nourishing families nationwide and
nourishing families nationwide and incredible corporate partners like h-e-b
incredible corporate partners like h-e-b
incredible corporate partners like h-e-b and Cisco and then the produce Marketing
and Cisco and then the produce Marketing
and Cisco and then the produce Marketing Association and Target and academic
Association and Target and academic
Association and Target and academic partners like UT school public health
partners like UT school public health
partners like UT school public health Texas A&M Baylor College of Medicine we
Texas A&M Baylor College of Medicine we
Texas A&M Baylor College of Medicine we have incredible farms food banks all of
have incredible farms food banks all of
have incredible farms food banks all of these people helping us build
these people helping us build
these people helping us build communities of health through fresh food
communities of health through fresh food
communities of health through fresh food everywhere we go and what’s amazing is
everywhere we go and what’s amazing is
everywhere we go and what’s amazing is we’re not just impacting the families
we’re not just impacting the families
we’re not just impacting the families they’re serving us we’re changing the
they’re serving us we’re changing the
they’re serving us we’re changing the entire conversation by working with the
entire conversation by working with the
entire conversation by working with the systems that we partner with
systems that we partner with
systems that we partner with good thanks they’re now distributing
good thanks they’re now distributing
good thanks they’re now distributing more fresh produce and feeding with
more fresh produce and feeding with
more fresh produce and feeding with impact rather than just feeding for the
impact rather than just feeding for the
impact rather than just feeding for the moment bonds they’re directly giving us
moment bonds they’re directly giving us
moment bonds they’re directly giving us their product that would be otherwise
their product that would be otherwise
their product that would be otherwise thrown away
thrown away
thrown away food waste and together we’re building
food waste and together we’re building
food waste and together we’re building demand for their industry parents are
demand for their industry parents are
demand for their industry parents are coming into the school is bagging all
coming into the school is bagging all
coming into the school is bagging all this produce with our team and talking
this produce with our team and talking
this produce with our team and talking about all the fresh food that they’re
about all the fresh food that they’re
about all the fresh food that they’re eating schools they’re seeing these
eating schools they’re seeing these
eating schools they’re seeing these parents for the first time literally the
parents for the first time literally the
parents for the first time literally the first time walking in their door and
first time walking in their door and
first time walking in their door and PTAs are forming i was that provides DC
PTAs are forming i was that provides DC
PTAs are forming i was that provides DC and january and this teacher walks up to
and january and this teacher walks up to
and january and this teacher walks up to me and he said thank you for building
me and he said thank you for building
me and he said thank you for building this program in six years I’ve never
this program in six years I’ve never
this program in six years I’ve never seen parents engaged like this in our
seen parents engaged like this in our
seen parents engaged like this in our school you’re not just changing their
school you’re not just changing their
school you’re not just changing their lives through food you’re changing our
lives through food you’re changing our
lives through food you’re changing our entire community corporations you know
entire community corporations you know
entire community corporations you know partnering with us in these
partnering with us in these
partnering with us in these neighborhoods in ways that they never
neighborhoods in ways that they never
neighborhoods in ways that they never have before they’re sending in
have before they’re sending in
have before they’re sending in volunteers to bad produce alongside the
volunteers to bad produce alongside the
volunteers to bad produce alongside the parents Cisco uniting the produce
parents Cisco uniting the produce
parents Cisco uniting the produce industry behind us
industry behind us
industry behind us can you imagine corporations partnering
can you imagine corporations partnering
can you imagine corporations partnering competitors partnering to distribute our
competitors partnering to distribute our
competitors partnering to distribute our product and a major retailer literally
product and a major retailer literally
product and a major retailer literally running a spot during primetime TV about
running a spot during primetime TV about
running a spot during primetime TV about our partnership over 300 times talking
our partnership over 300 times talking
our partnership over 300 times talking about what we’re doing together the
about what we’re doing together the
about what we’re doing together the government they’re seeing that when they
government they’re seeing that when they
government they’re seeing that when they invest in good quality programs they can
invest in good quality programs they can
invest in good quality programs they can receive data-driven outcomes and they
receive data-driven outcomes and they
receive data-driven outcomes and they don’t have to catch so much cut so much
don’t have to catch so much cut so much
don’t have to catch so much cut so much social spending I’ve literally had these
social spending I’ve literally had these
social spending I’ve literally had these conversations on the local and the
conversations on the local and the
conversations on the local and the national level with elected officials in
national level with elected officials in
national level with elected officials in Washington DC at our Capitol health care
Washington DC at our Capitol health care
Washington DC at our Capitol health care providers remember those health care
providers remember those health care
providers remember those health care providers focusing on healing sick
providers focusing on healing sick
providers focusing on healing sick children they’re now looking on how food
children they’re now looking on how food
children they’re now looking on how food prevents illness we’re testing kids poop
prevents illness we’re testing kids poop
prevents illness we’re testing kids poop with them and saying about microbiome
with them and saying about microbiome
with them and saying about microbiome and we’re seeing that with fresh produce
and we’re seeing that with fresh produce
and we’re seeing that with fresh produce the gut microbiome is changing and that
the gut microbiome is changing and that
the gut microbiome is changing and that is the gateway to much disease in health
is the gateway to much disease in health
is the gateway to much disease in health care issues today and together we’re
care issues today and together we’re
care issues today and together we’re building this movement
building this movement
building this movement and you’ve heard of big data we have so
and you’ve heard of big data we have so
and you’ve heard of big data we have so much data in these typically
much data in these typically
much data in these typically understudied communities pretty soon
understudied communities pretty soon
understudied communities pretty soon people are going to be tying in to our
people are going to be tying in to our
people are going to be tying in to our data for now we know that brighter bites
data for now we know that brighter bites
data for now we know that brighter bites works 98% of the families are eating
works 98% of the families are eating
works 98% of the families are eating more produce when we’re doing the
more produce when we’re doing the
more produce when we’re doing the program okay we’re giving this to them
program okay we’re giving this to them
program okay we’re giving this to them that’s not that exciting but 74 percent
that’s not that exciting but 74 percent
that’s not that exciting but 74 percent are maintaining the same levels when
are maintaining the same levels when
are maintaining the same levels when it’s over that means they’re going to
it’s over that means they’re going to
it’s over that means they’re going to the store on their own and buying it
the store on their own and buying it
the store on their own and buying it which by the way that makes my a job
which by the way that makes my a job
which by the way that makes my a job boss really happy too it’s really
boss really happy too it’s really
boss really happy too it’s really amazing to me what happens that we see
amazing to me what happens that we see
amazing to me what happens that we see so much change in these families these
so much change in these families these
so much change in these families these same kids in Houston Texas that are
same kids in Houston Texas that are
same kids in Houston Texas that are never had an orange are chasing us for
never had an orange are chasing us for
never had an orange are chasing us for kale smoothies it’s really tremendous
kale smoothies it’s really tremendous
kale smoothies it’s really tremendous and you know what’s incredible is that
and you know what’s incredible is that
and you know what’s incredible is that we are making this change and not only
we are making this change and not only
we are making this change and not only the families of the systems by doing one
the families of the systems by doing one
the families of the systems by doing one thing we’re caring we’re allowing these
thing we’re caring we’re allowing these
thing we’re caring we’re allowing these people in these systems to give back to
people in these systems to give back to
people in these systems to give back to us in ways that are utilizing their best
us in ways that are utilizing their best
us in ways that are utilizing their best skills and resources which as you can
skills and resources which as you can
skills and resources which as you can imagine are very different than mine
imagine are very different than mine
imagine are very different than mine and we are not just changing the
and we are not just changing the
and we are not just changing the physical health of these kids and their
physical health of these kids and their
physical health of these kids and their families we’re changing their mental
families we’re changing their mental
families we’re changing their mental health too by having our team give them
health too by having our team give them
health too by having our team give them hope by engaging with them in the
hope by engaging with them in the
hope by engaging with them in the dignified manner an empowerment by
dignified manner an empowerment by
dignified manner an empowerment by giving them the tools to live healthier
giving them the tools to live healthier
giving them the tools to live healthier lives
lives
lives recently a mom walked up to me at
recently a mom walked up to me at
recently a mom walked up to me at Emerson Elementary in Houston Texas it’s
Emerson Elementary in Houston Texas it’s
Emerson Elementary in Houston Texas it’s a school where they speak 37 different
a school where they speak 37 different
a school where they speak 37 different languages she came up and said I want to
languages she came up and said I want to
languages she came up and said I want to thank you for this program and I said
thank you for this program and I said
thank you for this program and I said what she told me your story instead she
what she told me your story instead she
what she told me your story instead she said I’m a Cuban refugee and I came to
said I’m a Cuban refugee and I came to
said I’m a Cuban refugee and I came to this country with nothing but my two
this country with nothing but my two
this country with nothing but my two little boys she started crying
little boys she started crying
little boys she started crying and she said when we were in Cuba they
and she said when we were in Cuba they
and she said when we were in Cuba they ate fresh food when we got here we
ate fresh food when we got here we
ate fresh food when we got here we couldn’t afford it and so we’ve started
couldn’t afford it and so we’ve started
couldn’t afford it and so we’ve started eating processed food
eating processed food
eating processed food and their health started declining we
and their health started declining we
and their health started declining we got to briar bite we got to Emerson
got to briar bite we got to Emerson
got to briar bite we got to Emerson Elementary and we met brighter bites and
Elementary and we met brighter bites and
Elementary and we met brighter bites and they’re getting healthy again
they’re getting healthy again
they’re getting healthy again and I just I’m happy that I get to be
and I just I’m happy that I get to be
and I just I’m happy that I get to be the one to thank you because so many
the one to thank you because so many
the one to thank you because so many people want to thank you and then of
people want to thank you and then of
people want to thank you and then of course I started crying to you and you
course I started crying to you and you
course I started crying to you and you know that hope and that empowerment that
know that hope and that empowerment that
know that hope and that empowerment that brighter whites gave to those families
brighter whites gave to those families
brighter whites gave to those families it’s exactly what it gave to me when I
it’s exactly what it gave to me when I
it’s exactly what it gave to me when I was building motorbikes I realized that
was building motorbikes I realized that
was building motorbikes I realized that I was paying for something so much
I was paying for something so much
I was paying for something so much bigger than myself we were changing
bigger than myself we were changing
bigger than myself we were changing communities we’re starting to build a
communities we’re starting to build a
communities we’re starting to build a national movement and if I wanted to
national movement and if I wanted to
national movement and if I wanted to lead that I had to stay healthy too
lead that I had to stay healthy too
lead that I had to stay healthy too so I started nourishing myself I started
so I started nourishing myself I started
so I started nourishing myself I started caring for myself as a whole mind body
caring for myself as a whole mind body
caring for myself as a whole mind body and spirit and I started adding in yoga
and spirit and I started adding in yoga
and spirit and I started adding in yoga and taking time to pause instead of
and taking time to pause instead of
and taking time to pause instead of being myself into the ground
being myself into the ground
being myself into the ground I started nourishing myself by changing
I started nourishing myself by changing
I started nourishing myself by changing the lens that I saw the world looking
the lens that I saw the world looking
the lens that I saw the world looking for the positives and possibility and
for the positives and possibility and
for the positives and possibility and seeing that – I started eating for
seeing that – I started eating for
seeing that – I started eating for health instead of weight which meant by
health instead of weight which meant by
health instead of weight which meant by the way no more diet bug the pepper got
the way no more diet bug the pepper got
the way no more diet bug the pepper got lots and lots of fresh produce and you
lots and lots of fresh produce and you
lots and lots of fresh produce and you know I’ve never got another sinus
know I’ve never got another sinus
know I’ve never got another sinus infection my stomach feels great there’s
infection my stomach feels great there’s
infection my stomach feels great there’s two more irritable bowel syndrome by the
two more irritable bowel syndrome by the
two more irritable bowel syndrome by the way and I can count on one hand the
way and I can count on one hand the
way and I can count on one hand the number of times and six years that I’ve
number of times and six years that I’ve
number of times and six years that I’ve gotten sick and the same thing has
gotten sick and the same thing has
gotten sick and the same thing has happened for drew and Nathan – and after
happened for drew and Nathan – and after
happened for drew and Nathan – and after nourishing myself for several years in
nourishing myself for several years in
nourishing myself for several years in this way one day I woke up and I thought
this way one day I woke up and I thought
this way one day I woke up and I thought oh my gosh
oh my gosh
oh my gosh I’ve created this incredibly virtuous
I’ve created this incredibly virtuous
I’ve created this incredibly virtuous cycle where I cared for myself which led
cycle where I cared for myself which led
cycle where I cared for myself which led me to caring for others which led me
me to caring for others which led me
me to caring for others which led me back to caring for myself and I was
back to caring for myself and I was
back to caring for myself and I was happy really like one day I woke up and
happy really like one day I woke up and
happy really like one day I woke up and I thought this life I thought it’s
I thought this life I thought it’s
I thought this life I thought it’s awesome I mean this is me standing in
awesome I mean this is me standing in
awesome I mean this is me standing in Salinas California in the middle of a
Salinas California in the middle of a
Salinas California in the middle of a farm by the way that’s all food waste
farm by the way that’s all food waste
farm by the way that’s all food waste that farm has already been picked that’s
that farm has already been picked that’s
that farm has already been picked that’s me about to speak and Michelle Obama’s
me about to speak and Michelle Obama’s
me about to speak and Michelle Obama’s summit
summit
summit partnership for healthy America and
partnership for healthy America and
partnership for healthy America and getting really excited and that’s me
getting really excited and that’s me
getting really excited and that’s me talking to legislators about the
talking to legislators about the
talking to legislators about the importance of fresh food and nutrition
importance of fresh food and nutrition
importance of fresh food and nutrition education and kids diets and you know
education and kids diets and you know
education and kids diets and you know what the belittling stopped now I speak
what the belittling stopped now I speak
what the belittling stopped now I speak kindly to myself in fact sometimes I
kindly to myself in fact sometimes I
kindly to myself in fact sometimes I even call myself about us and none of
even call myself about us and none of
even call myself about us and none of that that brought me happiness was
that that brought me happiness was
that that brought me happiness was taught to me as a child
taught to me as a child
taught to me as a child it wasn’t the promotion’s it wasn’t the
it wasn’t the promotion’s it wasn’t the
it wasn’t the promotion’s it wasn’t the money
money
money it wasn’t the status they boil down to
it wasn’t the status they boil down to
it wasn’t the status they boil down to one simple thing caring right just
one simple thing caring right just
one simple thing caring right just caring we all want to be cared for and
caring we all want to be cared for and
caring we all want to be cared for and that’s the secret hidden in plain sight
that’s the secret hidden in plain sight
that’s the secret hidden in plain sight caring what are caring for yourself lead
caring what are caring for yourself lead
caring what are caring for yourself lead you to caring for others or caring for
you to caring for others or caring for
you to caring for others or caring for others lead you to find their passion
others lead you to find their passion
others lead you to find their passion and come back and care for yourself
and come back and care for yourself
and come back and care for yourself that’s the secret to achieving true
that’s the secret to achieving true
that’s the secret to achieving true success
success
success it’s just caring when we care I promise
it’s just caring when we care I promise
it’s just caring when we care I promise you everything gets brighter and the
you everything gets brighter and the
you everything gets brighter and the better we nourish the brighter we
better we nourish the brighter we
better we nourish the brighter we flourish
”
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