Photo by: Houma Times

On Thursday, Nov. 9, there was a dairy cooler ribbon cutting in the athletics weight room. 

Rouses and Dairy Max recently formed a partnership to help provide dairy coolers to Nicholls State University. These coolers will be available in Colonel Closet and the athletics weight room for students and faculty who are interested in healthier food options. 

Amanda Kennedy, Senior Manager of Brand and Marketing Strategy at Rouses, discussed how Rouses Market raised money through a promotion that they had in store, and they have been using that money to keep the dairy coolers fully stocked with nutritious food options. 

The cooler that is specifically for student athletes will be filled by Rouses for an entire year. They are going to stock it up with chocolate milk and continue to restock the cooler as the year goes on.

Frank Bourgeois, Nicholls Athletics Strength and Conditioning Coach, said, “The 381 athletes that we have coming through these doors to come and train with us are pushed very hard. Chocolate milk is one of the best recovery items you can have; it has the right amount of protein, carbohydrates and fats needed for speedy recovery.”

Many students struggle with financial instability, food insecurity and much more. There are so many individuals on this campus daily that do not have access to the appropriate amounts of food for them or even their families. 

The goal of these coolers is to help people who find themselves facing these struggles daily, with hopes of alleviating their stress and insecurity. 

Dr. Michele Caruso, Vice President of Student Affairs at Nicholls State University, stated, “This partnership with Dairy Max and Rouses will put these needs at students’ fingertips. They will be able to walk in here to grab that protein as often as they need; to support their bodies, brains, hearts, and success here on campus with us. We cannot tell you how appreciative, grateful and excited we are about this ongoing partnership.”