Noting that today’s customers are more focused on nutrition, where their foods come from and how they are produced, Rouses Markets has appointed the chain’s first-ever full-time dietitian—Esther Ellis, RD.
“Our new initiative, ‘Eat Right with Rouses,’ is all about building a healthier Gulf Coast,” says Donny Rouse, managing partner of the Thibodaux, Louisiana-based grocery chain. “On the Gulf Coast, where we live to eat, healthy has to taste good. Eat Right with Rouses is focused on food that is healthy and tasty.”
Ellis is hand picking healthy, tasty products and fresh groceries for Rouses’ customers, and her recommendations will be marked on Rouses’ shelves and included in the grocer’s advertising.
“With Eat Right with Rouses, there’s no complicated nutritional scoring system for the customer to follow, and no food that tastes like cardboard,” says Ellis. “I’m from Louisiana. I need food with flavor.”
Ellis is a native of Baton Rouge. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in dietetics at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux. She will oversee health screenings at Rouses stores, shopping tours and nutrition classes.
“Our grocery stores are a natural setting for people to talk about nutrition and meal planning,” says Rouse, “And I know our customers are excited to meet her.”
In addition to in-store activities, Ellis will develop nutritional breakdowns for all of Rouses’ recipes, prepared foods and its branded food.
“We’ve always been a resource for our customers, from teaching people the importance of local, to introducing them to food and food customs from around the world,” adds Rouse. “Our new dietitian Esther and Eat Right with Rouses will help our customers make smarter choices at the shelf.”
Rouses currently operates nearly four dozen stores in three states—Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
