Previous Guest Dietitian

Ellen Mcknight Hill MPA, RDN, LDN, CLC

Ellen is a registered dietitian nutritionist, certified lactation counselor, and public health advocate. She is currently the principal of The Maxine Firm. Ellen McKnight Hill believes that healthy communities are built on a foundation of education, access and opportunity. Promoting healthy lifestyle changes and providing urban communities with economic development opportunities by way of fresh food access is Ellen’s life goal and passion.

The Baton Rouge Youth Coalition (The BRYC)

Albertsons awarded its $2,000 Charitable Contribution to The Baton Rouge Youth Coalition. The Baton Rouge Youth Coalition is an after-school program offering the best college and career readiness services money can buy – for free – to help the Capital Region’s underserved youth attain college degrees and financial independence. Entering college affordably is key, which is why BRYC dedicates all of junior year to preparing for the ACT test. Students who achieve a min. 20 composite score are guaranteed tuition assistance at in-state institutions through TOPS, the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students. BRYC’s last five graduating classes averaged a 22.2 – outpacing the U.S. (19.8), Louisiana (18.1), and EBR (17.5) averages – and gained, on average, 3.1 points while in BRYC.

Studies show students improve their score when they take the test more than once, but between 2021 and 2023, the registration fee increased from $55 to $66. What was already cost-prohibitive for most BRYC families is now 20% more so. To ensure BRYC participants have access to the test, BRYC registers each student for at least two official tests, a cost of $132 per student or $13,200 for the 2023-2024 junior class. Albertsons' generous financial contribution will be allocated toward registration fees for the October 2023 ACT, making it possible for at least 30 more students to test and earn tuition assistance for their future college degree.