Arkansas Rice Industry Donates More Than 20,000 Pounds of Rice to Food Bank

Contact: Chuck Wilson, cwilson@usarice.com, (870) 673-7541

LITTLE ROCK, AR, September 17, 2008 — The Arkansas rice industry donated more than 20,000 pounds of rice this week to the Arkansas Rice Depot, which helps feed needy families in Arkansas. The donation, made in honor of National Rice Month, will provide healthy and nutritious servings of rice for hungry families. Rice mills participating in the donation included Cormier Rice Milling, DeWitt; Producers Rice Mill, Stuttgart; Riceland Foods, Stuttgart; and Riviana Foods, Carlisle.

The Arkansas Rice Council, along with the Miss Arkansas Rice county winners, presented the rice to Arkansas Rice Depot President and CEO Laura Rhea.

“The Arkansas Rice Depot is celebrating their 26th anniversary this year,” Rhea said. “In that time we have since evolved into a statewide organization helping families across Arkansas — and it’s all thanks to rice growers.”

The Rice Depot is a statewide food bank that works with 600 Arkansas hunger programs, including food pantries, school food programs, disaster relief and a statewide hunger hotline. Last year it distributed more than five million pounds of food to 73,630 needy Arkansas families.

“Arkansas rice farmers and millers are going through difficult economic times right now experiencing the effects of two hurricanes, but they are glad give back to the community and help those in need,” Arkansas Rice Council President Robert Petter said.

Arkansas is the nation’s largest rice-growing state, producing nearly nine billion pounds annually. Sponsored by the USA Rice Federation, National Rice Month is now in its 18th year.

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USA Rice Federation is the global advocate for all segments of the U.S. rice industry with a mission to promote and protect the interests of producers, millers, merchants and allied businesses.