ARLINGTON, VA – September has rolled around, and that can mean a lot of things. Kids are heading back to school, college football has kicked off, heatwaves are (hopefully) making way for cooler temperatures, and Americans celebrated the end of summer with Labor Day barbecues. But for those of us in the rice industry, September is National Rice Month!
A month-long celebration of all things rice, National Rice Month is a chance to highlight events, retail partnerships, farm and mill tours, the National Rice Month Scholarship, and more. This yearly boon for U.S.-grown rice increases awareness and consumption, focusing on retail, foodservice, and consumer outreach.
It may be a nation-wide celebration, but each rice-growing state is putting their own local spin on National Rice Month. In Arkansas, each week of September is dedicated to a different aspect of health and wellness through rice, featuring an Instagram takeover by rice industry professionals and friends throughout the month. Louisiana is giving back by honoring Hunger Action Month with the Second Harvest Food Bank, and holding the annual NRM Cook-Off Contest for area students to showcase their culinary talents. And Delta Rice Promotions is hosting their annual Rice Tasting Luncheon in Mississippi, which brings together around 1,000 attendees from across the country to try more than 300 different rice dishes.
“National Rice Month is a great opportunity not only to promote U.S.-grown rice, but to connect with our local communities and build lasting relationships with new retail partners,” said Robbie Trahan, chair of the USA Rice Domestic Promotion Committee. “It’s a lot of fun, and something we all look forward to every year.”
Clearly, this year’s National Rice Month schedule is packed with ways to come out and show your support for U.S. rice. You can read about the events and promotions all month long in the USA Rice Daily, but be sure to check out Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter feeds to stay up to date and take part in trivia, recipes, and weekly chances to win USA Rice Prize Packs and rice cookers. And don’t forget to show everyone how you’re celebrating the occasion by tagging @Think_Rice or using #thinkrice on social media.