H-E-B's Stacy Bates Earns Retail Dietitian of the Year Award

Stacy Bates, nutrition services program manager for H-E-B, was named Retail Dietitian of the Year by the Retail Dietitians Business Alliance (RDBA) at Stagnito +Edgell’s Progressive Grocer Retail Dietitians Symposium in Chicago.

The award recognizes a retail dietitian who shows leadership in using business skills and industry knowledge to positively impact consumer behavior through the retail sector.

“Stacy is an example of how a retail dietitian can bridge the role between community and retail,” says Phil Lempert, CEO of RDBA. “Her efforts have created a valuable sales engine for H-E-B, and we congratulate Stacy on her leadership and success.”

“Stacy has helped to grow Nutrition Services at H-E-B into a sustainable business in a relatively short amount of time,” says Kate Rogers, VP of corporate communications and health promotion at San Antonio-based H-E-B. “Stacy understands the importance of balancing need-to- grow retail sales with providing customers with the tools and knowledge they need to make healthier choices for themselves and their families. We are lucky to have her on our team.”

For her part, Bates says: “I’m honored to be named RDBA’s Retail Dietitian of the Year. Continuing education, access to key health resources, and networking through the RDBA has helped me tremendously, and in turn helps Texas shoppers better understand the role RDs can play to help them achieve their health-and-wellness goals.”

As H-E-B's nutrition services program manager, Bates is responsible for the oversight and management of the retail RD team, health content development and wellness programming for the organization.

With nearly a decade of experience in nutrition communications and education, Bates has a diverse background in adult education, clinical dietetics and nutrition marketing. She also has been a food and fitness blogger, healthy-cooking coach, and spokeswoman for food companies.

Bates received a bachelor’s degree in nutrition science and a master’s degree in human sciences, with a minor in adult education, from Texas A&M University. In addition to RDBA, Bates is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.  She's also a member of the academy’s practice groups on healthy aging, pediatric nutrition, diabetes care and education, and women’s health.

For more information or to join RDBA, please visit RDBA's website.