IDAHO FALLS—McKenzie Rockwood, registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) and co-founder of Citrus Pear dinners, was recently recognized as a 2021 Young Dietitian of the Year by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics—the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. Now representing over 100,000 certified practitioners, their Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year program honors those who demonstrate outstanding leadership and service to the nutrition and dietetics profession.
“I’m very humbled and honored to be recognized among a group of such intelligent, experienced professionals,” Rockwood shared. “While I’ve put a lot of work into my career as a dietitian, and Citrus Pear, it wouldn’t be what it is without my team and friends I’ve made along the way. Empowering people to implement and maintain healthy lifestyle changes has been so rewarding, and my team and I are committed to keep making a difference.”
Rockwood has been a registered dietitian nutritionist for 11 years. Before starting Citrus Pear in 2016 with her husband, Rockwood was an inpatient RDN at Logan Regional Hospital for six years—where she worked with patients who required special diets for medical conditions or allergies. During this time, she saw a need to make healthy eating easy, and she wanted to provide a tool for them to apply these lifestyle changes. This experience drove Rockwood to create Citrus Pear, where she now oversees menu and recipe development—as well as growth opportunities to bring Citrus Pear meals and classes to people and communities in need.
Rockwood also has been named as one of Salt Lake Magazine’s Women in Business. She currently resides in Logan, Utah with her husband and three sons.