LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas rice industry donated more than 40,000 pounds of rice this week to the Arkansas Rice Depot, which helps feed needy families in Arkansas. The donation, made in honor of National Rice Month, will provide healthy and nutritious servings of rice for hungry families. Rice mills participating in the donation included: Cormier Rice Milling in DeWitt; Producers Rice Mill and Riceland Foods in Stuttgart; Riviana Foods in Carlisle; and Specialty Rice in Brinkley.

The Arkansas Rice Council and Arkansas Rice Federation representatives presented the rice to Arkansas Rice Depot President and CEO Laura Rhea. Miss Arkansas Rice county winners also were on hand for the donation.

"The Arkansas Rice Depot is celebrating its 27th anniversary this year," Rhea said. "In that time, we have since evolved into a statewide organization helping families across Arkansas — and it’s all thanks to rice growers."

The Rice Depot is a statewide food bank that works with more than 900 Arkansas hunger programs, including food pantries, school food programs, disaster relief and a program for homebound seniors. Last year, it distributed almost 7 million pounds of food to 375,000 needy Arkansans, which amount to 13 percent of the state's population.

"Arkansas rice farmers and millers are going through difficult economic times right now, but they are glad to give back to the community and help those in need," Arkansas Rice Council President Robert Petter said.

Arkansas is the nation's largest rice-growing state, producing nearly nine billion pounds annually. Sponsored by the USA Rice Federation, National Rice Month is now in its 19th year.

USA Rice Federation is the global advocate for all segments of the U.S. rice industry with a mission to promote and protect the interests of producers, millers, merchants and allied businesses.

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