Who we are
A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
OUR mission
WE CHOSE TO ACCEPT IT!
OUR MISSION IS TO empower children to love healthy eating. Through fun and engaging educational presentations, we teach kids about the "superpowers" of nutritious foods. Our current program offerings include school-based presentations for children in Kindergarten through Grade 2 across Northern Illinois.
OUR PROGRAMS
HealthySmarts NFP is home to the "Fruits and Veggies To The Rescue!" public school nutrition education program for children ages Kindergarten through 2nd grade.
OUR ORIGiN STORY
Executive Director Nina Vanderwiel is the mother of three who lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband Rob. She founded "Fruits & Veggies To The Rescue!"® in 2013 when she was struggling to get her own children to eat fruits and vegetables. Her passion to pair good nutrition and teaching kids healthy eating habits has led to this program becoming a regularly scheduled program in her local community public schools, private preschools, and community programs. In 2024, Nina partnered with long time friend of 38 years to enhance this proven model in order to build upon it and expand it not only into neighboring communities, but eventually beyond.
Chairman of the Board Christie Tierney is the mother of three grown boys and lives with her husband Pat in the Chicago suburbs. She has a successful track record of marketing communications and business management. Having dealt with the hereditary chronic illness of a family member while raising three athletic boys, she became very passionate about holistic nutrition and the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle.
