"The Arkansas rice industry is committed to being good stewards of our resources and helping to alleviate hunger in our state," Arkansas Rice Council President Jeff Rutledge said. "We take great pride in our partnership with the Arkansas Foodbank and appreciate their efforts to feed our hungry neighbors."
In addition to National Rice Month, September is also Hunger Action Month. More than 549,000 Arkansans struggle with hunger and may not know where they'll find their next meal. That number includes one in four children who may not have enough to eat. This rice donation will go in to weekend backpacks for children, food boxes for home-bound seniors and will fill the shelves at food pantries for families in need.
The rice will be distributed across the state to five Feeding America food banks.
"During National Rice Month, not only do we recognize the amazing work the rice industry does for our state's economy but also the pivotal role Arkansas rice farmers play in the fight against hunger," said Rhonda Sanders, Arkansas Foodbank CEO. "We are so pleased to continue to have this great partnership to give nutritious rice grown right here in Arkansas."
Earlier in the day, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson visited with rice industry representatives about the crop, floods, and officially proclaimed September “Rice Month.”