Filling shelves for families in need
Sep 30, 2022
Excerpt from Arkansas Rice News Release
LITTLE ROCK, AR – Yesterday, the Arkansas rice industry donated 214,900 pounds of rice to the Arkansas Foodbank in honor of National Rice Month. The donation from seven mills will provide more than 1.6 million servings of rice to help feed families, children, and seniors all across the state.
Participating rice mills are Arkansas River Rice of Pine Bluff, Farmers Granary, Inc. of McCrory, Producers Rice Mill of Stuttgart, Ralston Family Farms of Atkins, Riceland Foods, Inc. of Stuttgart, Specialty Rice, Inc. of Brinkley, and Windmill Rice Company of Jonesboro.
"Arkansas rice farmers grow more than 50 percent of the nation’s total crop and will produce rice on approximately 1.1 million acres this year in more than 40 counties, many of which are served by the Arkansas Foodbank,” said Arkansas Rice Executive Director Kelly Robbins. “As rice harvest continues, our growers try to be good stewards by giving a portion of their crop to hunger relief efforts."
September is also Hunger Action Month. Arkansas ranks second in the nation for food-insecurity, and this rice donation will go directly to agency partners and will fill shelves at food pantries for families in need.
“Arkansas rice farmers play a crucial role in the fight against hunger. We’re so grateful for their continued partnership and support as we provide nutritious food to Arkansans facing food insecurity,” said Arkansas Foodbank CEO Rhonda Sanders.