What Services or Products does your business provide?

About Brownsville Wellness Coalition

The Brownsville Wellness Coalition (BWC) is a nonprofit organization committed to improving the health and quality of life in Brownsville, Texas, by increasing access to fresh, nutritious food and empowering residents through education and community-driven wellness initiatives.

Brownsville Farmers Market
Held every Saturday from 9 AM to 12 PM at Linear Park, the Brownsville Farmers Market connects the community with local farmers, food producers, and artisans. Shoppers can find fresh produce, farm eggs, honey, baked goods, handmade crafts, and more. The market accepts SNAP/EBT and participates in the Double Up Food Bucks program, making healthy food more accessible. With live music, cooking demos, and family-friendly activities, the market is a hub for wellness, culture, and community engagement.

Urban Farms – La Posada and La Mancha
BWC operates two sustainable urban farms that produce seasonal fruits and vegetables.

Community Gardens

We support multiple community gardens throughout Brownsville, providing residents with the space, tools, and knowledge to grow their own food. These gardens also serve as outdoor classrooms for hands-on learning about food systems, gardening, and nutrition.

Fresco Mobile Market

Our mobile market brings fresh, affordable produce directly into neighborhoods that have limited access to healthy food options. The Fresco Mobile Market accepts SNAP/EBT and participates in the Double Up Food Bucks program.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Box Program

Our CSA program offers weekly boxes filled with fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables sourced from regional farmers and our own urban farms. It’s a convenient way for families to eat healthier while supporting local agriculture.

The Happy Kitchen / La Cocina Alegre®
This free, bilingual cooking and nutrition education program teaches participants how to prepare healthy, budget-friendly meals. Classes include hands-on cooking, grocery shopping tips, and culturally relevant recipes.

SNAP/EBT & Double Up Food Bucks Outreach

We provide education and outreach to help families maximize their food budgets by using federal benefits at local markets. Double Up Food Bucks helps stretch SNAP dollars further by matching produce purchases dollar for dollar.

For more information, visit: www.brownsvillewellnesscoalition.com

What types of advertising are you currently doing and what types of advertising have been most successful for you in the past? (It’s ok if it isn’t IndoorMedia 😊)

We are currently on track to release receipt ads at a supermarket with IndoorMedia. We have bus and bus shelter ads.

Are there any certifications, awards, or media recognition for the business? Please include certifications that may seem obvious, like certification from the board of health for restaurants.

Health and Safety Compliance
As a provider of food-related services and public programming, the Brownsville Wellness Coalition complies with all local and state health and safety regulations, including certifications through the Texas Department of State Health Services and relevant Food Handler Certifications for cooking class facilitators and staff.

USDA-Authorized SNAP Retailer
BWC is officially authorized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to accept SNAP/EBT benefits at the Brownsville Farmers Market and through its Fresco Mobile Market, expanding access to healthy food for low-income households.

Double Up Food Bucks Texas Partner
Recognized as a participating partner in the Double Up Food Bucks Texas program, BWC actively promotes and supports food equity through nutrition incentives.

Media Features
The organization has been featured on regional outlets including KRGV Channel 5’s “Tu Salud, Tu Cuenta”, The Brownsville Herald, and ValleyCentral.com, highlighting the coalition’s impact on community health, urban farming, and local food systems.

Community Recognition
BWC has been acknowledged by local institutions including Brownsville Independent School District, UTHealth School of Public Health, and City of Brownsville departments for its leadership in public health outreach, nutrition education, and urban agriculture.

How many employees does the business have? Are there any special employees that have a unique story? Are there any employees who have been with the company a particularly long time?

The organization is made up of 20 employees.

In your own words, please write a paragraph about how the owner or partners got interested in starting this business. Is the owner the first person in their family to own a business? Did they have a career before starting this business? Were there any specific challenges they faced in opening or keeping the business open?

The Brownsville Wellness Coalition began with a dream to create a farmers market that would bring fresh, local produce to the community. Launched in 2008, the Brownsville Farmers’ Market started small but quickly became a vital hub for healthy food access and wellness education. Over time, the organization grew into what it is today, now offering five programs that support health and wellness throughout the community.

Explain why a customer should consider your business instead of going to a competitor.

Customers should choose the Brownsville Wellness Coalition because we offer more than just fresh, local produce. We are deeply rooted in the community and focused on improving overall health and wellness. Unlike typical markets, our programs are designed to make healthy food accessible and affordable for everyone, including low-income families. We also provide education, support, and resources that empower customers to make lasting healthy lifestyle changes. Choosing us means supporting a mission-driven organization that genuinely cares about the well-being of Brownsville and works hard to create a healthier community for all.

What extra services do you offer that people might not know about? For example, restaurants might offer catering and Car Washes might offer shampooing of seats and carpet.

We participate in the Double Up Food Bucks program, which helps customers using SNAP benefits get double the value when purchasing fruits and vegetables at our market. We also invite community members to join our community gardens, where they can grow their own fresh produce and learn about sustainable gardening practices.

Business Spotlight

Brownsville Wellness Coalition