At BrightSide Produce, we believe good food should never go to waste. Yet, in the United States, nearly 40% of all food goes uneaten, even as millions of people lack access to fresh, healthy options. That waste is both a food justice issue and an environmental disaster. Additionally, reducing food waste is a priority for the Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul as part of their climate and sustainability goals, and BrightSide is proud to be part of the solution.
What is Buyback?
Our Healthy Corner Stores program brings fresh produce into small neighborhood shops, where without BrightSide’s support, stocking fruits and vegetables would be financially risky or even impossible. Small stores can’t meet wholesaler minimums, and perishable food carries real risks for owners if it doesn’t sell.
That’s where the Buyback Program comes in. Each week, we deliver stock store shelves with high-quality, fresh produce, then return the following week to buy back any unsold items. We adjust stocking amounts based on what we see sell in subsequent weeks.
When we first introduced our Buyback program, we compared the pilot group to non-buyback stores. Sales increased 100% with Buyback! This means twice as much food for sale on corner store shelves. BrightSide and our Buyback program are increasing the availability of healthy food in Twin Cities food deserts. Store owners don’t lose money, customers gain access to affordable produce, and BrightSide takes responsibility for what happens next.
What Happens to Recovered Food
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Still good to eat? It gets a second life as DarkSide Snacks. These upcycled treats like Banana Bites and Veggie Salts showcase what rescued food can become.
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Not edible? We compost it. Nothing goes to a landfill. That means fewer methane emissions and healthier soils.
The result is a closed-loop system where food nourishes people and protects the planet.
Building Momentum
This fall, we’ll celebrate BrightSide’s impact and accomplishments while fundraising for future growth with our first-ever gala where sustainability will take center stage. Guests will be encouraged to dress in something thrifted or vintage, and enjoy a produce-forward brunch. They’ll get to taste some of our DarkSide creations too, made possible thanks to the Buyback program.
The gala isn’t just a party; it’s a way to bring people together who care about food justice, climate solutions, and community health.
How You Can Help
This story is about more than food. BrightSide is reimagining a system that works for people and the planet. Here are a few ways to get involved:
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Donate to sustain programs like Buyback.
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Shop with us—order DarkSide Snacks with a produce subscription through our Online Farmers Market.
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Follow, like, comment and share us on social media.
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Join us at the Gala this November to celebrate and invest in BrightSide’s future. Tickets on sale NEXT WEEK!
BrightSide’s Buyback Program is a small but powerful example of how change happens—one banana, one store, and one neighborhood at a time. Together, we can turn food waste into food access, climate action, and community transformation.