This year marks the 20th anniversary of HealthBarn USA, and as its founder, I wanted to celebrate this incredible milestone in a way that truly honored our mission—delicious food from nature, hands-on experiences, and strong community.

So, we teamed up with Education First (EF) Tours to host a sustainable food and agriculture adventure through northern Italy and the South of France. Joining me was Linda Plastina, a longtime HealthBarn mom and group leader, the fabulous Micaela Picelli, EF Tour Director along with six amazing families and 16 total participants. Together, we embarked on what turned out to be the trip of a lifetime.

What made this experience so special for me was getting to know the families beyond pick-up and drop-off. I usually know the kids best—but on this trip, I got to share meals, laughs, and incredible memories with both children and parents alike.

From Gelato to Gnocchi: Italy’s Delicious Welcome

We kicked off the journey in Turin, where we celebrated with my cousin Cosimo (and Turin resident) and visited FiorFoods, one of my favorite food co-ops in the Piemonte region. I was so impressed by how well the kids powered through jet lag (Italian gelato may have helped… a lot).

From there, the food magic really began. We took a pasta-making class together and shared a delicious lunch at a Barolo vineyard—a rare and joyful moment for me, since I’m usually cooking with the kids, not watching them team up with their parents in the kitchen. It actually inspired me to bring more family cooking classes to HealthBarn this fall—stay tuned!

We also picked apricots and nectarines fresh from the trees, visited a working dairy farm, made cheese, and shared a mouthwatering meal of gnocchi topped with mountain cheese—an unforgettable flavor and memory. We even filled our water bottles from public fountains flowing directly from Monte Viso (Monviso), the highest mountain entirely in the Cottian Alps and visible from much of the Piedmont plain. It made us wonder: Why can’t we drink from the tap like this in Bergen County, NJ?

The Olive Oil Awakening + Extra Luggage

In Liguria, we learned how-to to harvest olives from the trees and how the cold pressed oil is made—and of course, we had to sample the olives, pesto, and that peppery, golden oil straight from the source. Let’s just say… many of us needed an extra suitcase to get everything home.

A Sweet Ending on the French Riviera

Our final stop was Nice, where we celebrated this HealthBarn milestone with a long, sun-soaked lunch at a beach club on the French Riviera. We ended the trip the way summer should be celebrated—floating in the salty Mediterranean, stretched out on sunbeds, soaking in the joy of the journey.

What I Learned About Food Abroad

When people ask me what I learned on the trip—beyond the food and fun—my biggest takeaway was this:

In Italy and France, food production is still small-scale, local, and deeply personal. It’s often generational, with families producing high-quality goods from rich regional soil for other families, not for massive corporations. Every product—whether it’s cheese, olive oil, or fruit—is carefully crafted with pride and intention.

For example, corn is grown primarily for animal feed, not for industrial snack production. It’s a radically different food chain—one that values taste, sustainability, and community over mass production. And ultimately, the consumer benefits from that care and quality. It reminded me why HealthBarn exists: to bring this kind of food consciousness to families right here at home.

This trip was one for the books—rich in flavor, fun, and connection. And I’m so grateful to the families who joined me for this special journey. Here’s to 20 years of nourishing strong bodies and healthy minds… and to all the adventures still to come.

We captured so many incredible moments from the trip—from pasta-making and fruit-picking to seaside celebrations—and we’d love to share them with you!

Visit our social media platforms (@HealthBarnUSA) to watch reels from the journey and experience the magic for yourself.

And guess what? We’re not done yet! We’ll be traveling again in 2027—this time to Ireland for another unforgettable family food + culture + farming tour. If this adventure spoke to your heart (or your tastebuds!), stay tuned for details and be ready to join the next chapter of HealthBarn’s global journey.

Here’s to the next adventure—and to raising healthy, happy families together, one bite at a time.