Stacey Antine, MS, RDN, Founder
Stacey Antine, MS, RDN, is a registered dietitian with a Master’s degree in Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics from New York University. Alarmed by the growing rates of childhood obesity, diabetes, and other preventable lifestyle diseases, she founded HealthBarn USA to reconnect children with natural, nourishing foods—and to teach them where their food really comes from.
Driven by her deep commitment to supporting families on their wellness journeys, Stacey expanded her mission with the launch of the HealthBarn Foundation and its flagship initiative, Healing Meals—a nutritious food gifting program that provides wholesome, dietitian-approved meals to children undergoing cancer treatment, their families, and seniors in need.
HealthBarn USA Celebrates 20 Years of Strong Bodies and Healthy Minds
For two decades, HealthBarn USA has been at the forefront of children’s health, inspiring strong bodies and healthy minds through hands-on, year-round nutrition and culinary education. Located in Ridgewood, NJ, HealthBarn offers engaging programs for children ages 3–15, including an award-winning summer camp that brings the garden-to-table experience to life.
But the mission doesn’t stop with kids. HealthBarn has expanded its reach to include adults and seniors with vibrant culinary gatherings and chef-led nutrition workshops. Stacey Antine, MS, RDN, the powerhouse behind HealthBarn, also brings her “Try It, You’ll Like It!” school assembly program to students nationwide—sparking curiosity and joy about real food.
HealthBarn’s impact is more than just anecdotal—it’s scientifically backed. Columbia University’s Teachers College, led by nutrition education researcher Pamela Koch, has validated the effectiveness of HealthBarn’s proprietary curriculum. Peer-reviewed journal Explore: Health and the Environment also highlights the program’s family-focused lifestyle model as a promising solution to improve health outcomes.
With over 25 years of experience, Stacey Antine is a trusted expert in the field of food and nutrition. She has helped thousands of families transition from processed fast food to a natural, whole-food lifestyle—and parents and kids both love her for it. Her first book, Appetite for Life: The Thumbs-Up, No-Yucks Guide to Getting Your Kid to be a Great Eater—featuring over 100 kid-approved recipes—was published in September 2012 by HarperOne, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, and is available in both hardcover and eBook formats.
Stacey’s work has been featured on The Rachael Ray Show, CBS, PBS, and by the Associated Press, among many others. She was named a “Woman Entrepreneur to Watch” by BusinessWeek, honored as “Our Hero” by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and recognized by Today’s Honoree, a top blog celebrating changemakers. She also serves on the Academy’s RDN Communications Council for its National Kids Eat Right campaign and holds a Certificate of Training in Childhood and Adolescent Weight Management.
As HealthBarn USA celebrates its 20th anniversary, Stacey’s mission remains clear: to empower families with the tools, confidence, and joy to eat well and live fully—naturally.
Sanat Farhan
Sanat joined HealthBarn in January 2023 as an intern from William Paterson University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Public Health Education and discovered a passion for promoting health and wellness. She now serves as Administrative Coordinator, combining strong organizational skills with a love for working with children to guide families through HealthBarn programs and resources.
Known for her positivity, warmth, and energy, Sanat creates engaging, supportive environments that inspire young minds to embrace healthier lifestyles. She recently earned her master’s degree in Health Education and Behavior from the University of Florida, further strengthening her expertise and commitment to empowering families and communities through education and wellness.
Alejandra “Allie” Uribe
Alejandra (“Allie”) joined the HealthBarn team in fall 2021 as an intern and quickly became an essential part of our community. With boundless energy and a passion for health and wellness, she inspires children and parents alike to embrace nutritious habits and adventurous eating. Many students first meet her through our Culinary Creations after-school enrichment programs or Try It assemblies, and she continues to share her enthusiasm across seasonal and off-site programs at HealthBarn. A graduate of Montclair State University’s Nutrition and Food Science program, Allie combines her expertise with her love for working with children to make a lasting impact on families’ health and well-being.
Chef Pascal Béric
With over 40 years of experience in French and American cuisines, Chef Pascal Béric is not only a master chef but also a passionate educator. Raised on a farm in Brittany, France, he grew up immersed in the garden-to-table lifestyle that continues to inspire his teaching and cooking today. As a former instructor at the prestigious French Culinary Institute in New York, he mentored students alongside Deans, and he has shared his expertise at the James Beard Foundation Gala Dinner & Auction. He now teaches culinary arts to teenagers at a Paterson High School in New Jersey, where he is known for motivating young people to develop confidence and creativity in the kitchen. Living just around the corner from HealthBarn, he was immediately drawn to our mission and jumped right in to guide campers through hands-on cooking, fresh ingredients, and a love for homemade meals. Since joining in summer 2025, Chef Pascal has elevated our culinary camp to a whole new level of delicious—and now he’s sharing his talents with adults, leading foodie adventures with French flair, garden-to-table goodness, and plenty of fun!
Jillian Fine
Jill first discovered HealthBarn in 3rd grade during a Try It, You’ll Like It assembly in Haworth, NJ, and years later was thrilled to complete her practicum here while studying Nutrition with a concentration in Applied Wellness at Montclair State University. She officially joined the team in January 2023 and has been sharing her passion for nutrition ever since, making healthy eating fun and exciting for children of all ages. From onsite classes, field trips, birthday parties, and scout programs to offsite Culinary Creations and school assemblies, Jill brings energy, creativity, and enthusiasm to everything she does—you name it, Jill does it!
Jennifer Morgan
Jennifer joined the HealthBarn team in September 2024, shortly after her son attended our summer camp. Inspired by his enthusiasm and her connection with Stacey, she was excited to bring her expertise and passion to the HealthBarn community. A graduate of Montclair State University, Jennifer holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Nutrition & Dietetics and Psychology, a combination that reflects her deep interest in the connection between mindset and food choices. She later completed a dietetic internship through Marywood University, gaining valuable hands-on training as part of her path toward becoming a Registered Dietitian.
As a mom of three, Jennifer understands the importance of instilling healthy habits early. Whether she’s teaching Culinary Creations classes, helping kids discover the power of strong bodies and healthy minds, or turning them into curious “food spies” to investigate food labels, Jennifer brings creativity and joy to nutrition education. She is passionate about making healthy eating fun, hands-on, and memorable for children and families alike.
Aryan Castillo
Aryan joined HealthBarn in summer 2026 as an intern through Montclair State University’s Applied Nutrition Program — and he loved it so much, he never left! At HealthBarn, Aryan enjoys seasonal classes, welcoming school field trips and bringing extra excitement to birthday parties. Passionate about cooking, nutrition and holistic healing, he loves helping children discover that healthy habits can be fun, delicious and rewarding. Aryan is proud to be part of the HealthBarn mission to build strong bodies and healthy minds by inspiring children and families to embrace healthy living, one experience — and one bite — at a time.
Sabine Albuja
Sabine joined the HealthBarn team in fall 2026, bringing bright energy, a big smile and a passion for all things wellness! A senior Dietetics student at Montclair State University, she loves showing children and families that healthy eating is about feeling great, having energy and discovering delicious new foods. As an athlete, Sabine knows firsthand how good nutrition fuels the body and boosts performance. She especially loves working at HealthBarn birthday parties, where she helps turn cooking, tasting and exploring new foods into unforgettable fun! Her mission is to inspire children and families to embrace healthy habits that feel good, fit into everyday life and last a lifetime.