Meet the Team

BrightSide Produce is powered by a passionate team of leaders, organizers, and community advocates committed to advancing food justice in the Twin Cities. Meet the people behind our operations, produce delivery services, DarkSide Snacks and farmers market management.

We operate within a horizontal leadership structure—sharing power, responsibility, and decision-making across our team. Everyone pitches in, including our Co-Director Justa, who still jumps in on home delivery runs and corner store deliveries. For us, leadership means showing up for the mission and building a local food system that is sustainable and equitable. 

  • Co-director | Adam Kay

    Adam is a University of St. Thomas biology professor and co-founder of BrightSide with a deep commitment to building a more equitable and sustainable food system.

  • Co-director | Justa Heinen-Kay

    Justa

    Email: jheinenkay@brightsidempls.org

  • Development Director | Reba Batalden

    Reba leads BrightSide's fundraising and communications to grow our impact and sustain our mission.

    Email: reba@brightsidempls.org

  • | Kate Andrews

    Kate handles financial tracking and data managment to support the operational health of BrightSide. 

  • DarkSide Lead | Cheyanne Larson

    Cheyanne manages DarkSide production, along with wholesale produce pick up and Online Farmers Market packing and delivery.

  • Co-founder and Farmers Market Manager | Deedee Fuller

    Deedee is involved in many aspects of the operation, including managing the Linden Hills Farmers Market, and is also a local chef in North Minneapolis.

  • Farmers Market Manager | Gabe Wrenholt

    Gabe oversees BrightSide's farmers market operations, coordinating logistics, vendors, staff and community engagement.

  • | Michael

    Michael graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health in 2025, and 

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