Healthy Living is our Life!!
About Kathleen (Smart Picks' Founder and President)
Smart Picks was founded in 1996 by Kathleen Stefancin M.S., R.D., who is a Registered Dietitian, and Raw Food Chef (graduate of the Living Light Culinary Arts Institute). She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Biology and Dietetics and a Master's Degree in Nutrition from Case Western Reserve University. Kathleen combines her nutrition knowledge with her love for creative writing, art and healthy eating, to create award-winning games and nutrition stories for kids.
Her passion has been to re-direct children's focus about food to a more plant-based diet by introducing a line of books and games specifically about fruits and veggies. Even her most successful game, Food Pyramid Bingo introduces whole foods and has received national recognition. Our games and books are being used in classrooms and with families throughout the United States. Kathleen and her team of designers continue to create and develop playful ways to teach kids about nutrition.
Smart Picks' Team of Designers
About Kirk (Graphic Designer)
Kirk Werner is a native of Washington State where he lives with his wife and children. He is a freelance illustrator, having spent several years as an artist in the children's educational software industry.
About Patricia (Graphic Designer)
Patricia Popovich MA, AT is a lifelong resident of Ohio where she lives with her two dogs Annie and Casey along the NorthCoast. Art and nature have always been inspirations throughout her life. Her undergraduate work was in graphic design and illustration. She recently expanded her art education with a degree from Ursuline College in Art Therapy. She enjoys working with children and re-connecting them with their natural environment as a healing component to overall well-being.
Our Mission
At Smart Picks, our goal is to provide highly effective, high quality interactive teaching tools to help the public live better by making healthier food choices. The focus continues to be in helping children (and adults) make better food choices that are closer to whole food based diet. Our games and books have received over 36 national awards.
Information for Smart Picks games, books, materials and other products is based on the USDA MyPyramid Food Guidance System, 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and other current nutrition research, including vegetarian, vegan and raw food research.
Company Highlights
2009 Stevie' Award WINNER for Women in Business for Best New Product of the Year ( Healthy Ideas for Hungry Minds Nutritional Program)
2008 Stevie' Awards for Women in Business finalist for Best New Product of the Year (Food Pyramid BINGO-Updated Edition and Fruit & Veggie Color BINGO).
2007 Stevie' Awards for Women Entrepreneurs finalist for Best New Product of the Year (Fruit Flies' Picnic Book, Fruit Flies' Picnic Interactive CD-ROM and The Fish Who Wished He Could Eat Fruit).
2004 Stevie' Awards for Women Entrepreneurs finalist for Best Overall Company of the Year, Most Innovative Company of the Year, and Best New Product of the Year (Food Pyramid Bingo and Fruit Fly Bingo).
2003 Outstanding Toy Manufacturer Recognition of Excellence Award from Dr. Toy for "Smart Picks' ongoing commitment to producing quality children's products".
2001 Who's Who Historical Society recognizes Kathleen Stefancin, MS, RD as one of its newest members to appear in the 2001 edition of Who's Who Entrepreneur, having "demonstrated exemplary achievements and distinguished contributions to the business community".
2000 Dr. Toy recognizes Smart Picks as "One of the cutting edge companies providing the most innovative developmentally appropriate products for children of all ages."
1999 President Circle Nutrition Education Award for "Development and Dissemination of Scientifically sound nutrition information" presented to Kathleen Stefancin, MS, RD by the Board of directors at the American Dietetic Associations annual meeting.
1999 International Council on Nutrition Solutions recognizes Kathleen Stefancin, MS, RD as an "outstanding leader, dedicated to the advancement of nutritional education."
1997-1998 Small Business Association in Cleveland Ohio honors Smart Picks as an "outstanding business."
