September Is National Rice Month

WASHINGTON, July 27, 2006 — America has been celebrating the contributions of the U.S. rice industry for 16 years through the National Rice Month promotional program sponsored by the USA Rice Federation.

National Rice Month, initiated by an act of Congress in 1991, helps to increase awareness of rice and recognize the contribution the U.S. rice industry makes to America’s economy. National Rice Month celebrations will take place across America this September in grocery stores, restaurants, schools and rice-growing communities.

Today, two-thirds of U.S. consumers are eating rice once a week, 85 percent have rice at least twice a month, and 90 percent are eating rice in restaurants — up from 75 percent in 1992. Taste, versatility, nutritional value, convenience and low cost make rice a popular choice with consumers of varied cultural backgrounds nationwide.

For more information about the National Rice Month promotion, merchandising materials, promotional items or rice recipes, contact the USA Rice Federation at 1-800-888-RICE (1-800-888-2453).

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Contact: Molly Johnson, (703) 236-1448, mjohnson@usarice.com

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.