Commodity Club and Food Group Merge, Form “Agribusiness Club of DC”

WASHINGTON, July 28, 2005 — The Commodity Club and Food Group announced their plans to merge during a joint meeting held July 21 here. The new organization will be known as the Agribusiness Club of Washington, DC. The effective date of the merger is January 2006.

“We’re pleased that the two organizations have agreed to unite resources,” Commodity Club President Ben Noble said. “This move makes sense because it creates a one-stop-shop for policy makers to address the entire agribusiness community in Washington, D.C.”

Food Group President Anne Banville stated, “It is our belief that the goals, membership and audience of the Commodity Club and Food Group membership are virtually indistinguishable. Both organizations seek successful monthly lunch meetings with top tier speakers within Congress, the administration and beyond.”

The Commodity Club and Food Group have each hosted policy luncheons related to agriculture, nutrition and trade for many years. The current leadership of both organizations believes that scheduling pressures of members and speakers alike, the need for further efficiency in the administrative function, and cost savings to membership provided by merged agriculture luncheon venues all point towards the need for one united organization for agriculture functions.

During the remainder of 2005 the Commodity Club and Food Group will continue to hold joint luncheons. As of January 1, 2006, the two organizations will merge and become the Agribusiness Club of Washington.

Contacts: Anne Banville, (703) 236-1465, abanville@usarice.com

Ben Noble, (202) 274-2938, ben.noble@troutmansanders.com

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USA Rice Federation is the national advocate for all segments of the rice industry, conducting activities to influence government programs, developing and initiating programs to increase worldwide demand for U.S. rice, and providing other services to increase profitability for all industry segments.