National Rice Month Donation in Louisiana Supports Katrina Victim Relief

BATON ROUGE, LA, September 19, 2005 — Louisiana rice millers contributed 10,500 pounds of milled rice for their annual National Rice Month (NRM) donation to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, a regional assistance entity that traditionally distributes food to needy citizens through more than 100 agencies in an 11-parish area around Baton Rouge. Michael Manning, executive director of the food bank, noted that hurricane relief efforts have provided opportunities for food bank provisions outside of their traditional service area this year.

Louisiana rice millers including Falcon and Supreme Rice Mills of Crowley, Riviana Foods of Abbeville, Louisiana Rice Mill of Mermentau and Farmers Rice Mill of Lake Charles teamed up with members of the Louisiana Rice Growers Association to provide rice for the relief effort.

“Rice is nutritious and is easily handled and prepared, which makes it excellent for the ongoing relief effort in our state,” Louisiana Rice Council President Jimmy Hoppe said yesterday during the NRM donation. “Rice growers and millers have a long tradition of giving in the time of need and are honored to participate in this relief effort, especially during National Rice Month.”

Nearly 400,000 pounds of rice have already been donated and delivered to relief agencies and shelters throughout the state as part of the ongoing effort of growers and millers to provide food to displaced Hurricane Katrina victims.

Louisiana is a key supplier of U.S. grown rice, producing nearly 3 billion pounds annually. Sponsored by the USA Rice Federation, National Rice Month is now in its 15th year.

Photo Cut Line: Louisiana rice industry makes annual NRM donation to Great Baton Rouge Food Bank. (L to R) Randy Jemison, USA Rice; Amy Sellers food procurement coordinator for the food bank; Michael Manning, executive director of the food bank; Mary Jemison, USA Rice, and Jimmy Hoppe, Louisiana Rice Council President

CONTACT: Randy Jemison, (337) 738-7009, rjemison@usarice.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.