Marcela Romero is the program director for Brighter Bites in Southwest Florida. Marcela graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in economics before obtaining a master’s degree in international affairs at Florida State University. She has dedicated her career to working with nonprofits and public institutions.

Marcela’s passion for cooking and trying new foods began as a small child, when she would join her mother in the kitchen to learn a new recipe every Wednesday. Marcela’s interest in healthy eating stemmed from her dad’s diabetes diagnosis. Conversations in her house always revolved around better eating habits, including adding more fruits and vegetables into the family diet.

While working with several health organizations, Marcela realized the importance of establishing healthy eating habits at a young age in order to prevent diseases later in life. Her work in the Southwest Florida area also revealed the difficulty that certain communities faced in accessing healthy food options. Marcela is excited to launch Brighter Bites in the area and to have a long-lasting impact on the community.