Louisiana Rice Industry to Donate More Than 11,000 Pounds of Rice to Needy Families

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

BATON ROUGE, LA, September 17, 2008 — On Tuesday, Sept. 23, in honor of National Rice Month and Hunger Action Month, the Louisiana rice industry will donate more than 11,000 pounds of rice to help feed the hungry. Participating rice mills include Louisiana Rice Mill and Falcon Rice Mill, both of Crowley, Planters Rice Mill of Abbeville and Farmers Rice Mill of Lake Charles.

The donation will be made at 11:00 a.m. at the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, a regional food bank that coordinates with over 120 agencies to feed 7,300 people per day in an eleven parish service area. Last year the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank distributed over 10.8 million pounds of food to those in need.

National Rice Month, initiated by an act of Congress in 1991, helps to increase awareness of rice and recognizes the contribution the U.S. rice industry makes to America’s economy. Sponsored by the USA Rice Federation, National Rice Month is now in its 18th year.

Hunger Action Month is an inaugural-nationwide campaign to raise hunger awareness.

The Louisiana rice industry, a major contributor to the state’s economy with an annual economic impact approaching $700 million, is committed to stemming the tide of hunger.

For more information, contact Randy Jemison at the USA Rice Federation at (337) 738-7009 or Amy Sellers at the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank at (225) 359-9940.

Information on the Sept. 23, rice donation – capture coverage of the drop-off:

11:00 a.m. Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank 5546 Choctaw Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70821-2996

Local USA Rice Federation Contact: Randy Jemison Director, Louisiana Field Services 27460 Greenwood Dr. Kinder, LA 70648 Office: (337) 738-7009

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The 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.