Louisiana Rice Industry Makes 12,000-Pound Food Bank Donation

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

BATON ROUGE, LA, September 24, 2008 — The Louisiana rice industry yesterday donated 12,000 pounds of rice to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank in recognition of National Rice Month and Hunger Action Month. Gov. Bobby Jindal has proclaimed September as Louisiana Rice Month, joining the national celebration of rice traditionally held this month.

“In light of the recent hurricanes, this year’s donation comes when food banks are in desperate need of food, and we feel there is no better way to celebrate National Rice Month and Hunger Action Month than to offer our assistance,” said USA Rice Federation Chairman Jamie Warshaw, a Louisiana rice miller.

Louisiana Rice Mill and Falcon Rice Mill, both of Crowley, Planters Rice Mill of Abbeville, and Farmers Rice Mill of Lake Charles participated in the donation.

The Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank coordinates with more than 120 agencies to feed an estimated 7,300 people per day in 11 parishes. Hunger Action Month is an inaugural nationwide campaign to raise awareness for hunger.

USA Rice Federation sponsors National Rice Month, which was established by Congress in 1991. The annual celebration increases awareness of rice and recognizes the contribution the U.S. rice industry makes to America’s economy.

Photo caption: The rice industry donated rice to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank in honor of Louisiana Rice Month. (L-R) Louisiana rice representatives Jamie Warshaw, Jeff Durand, Will Hetzel, Amber Thibodeaux, Jimmy Hoppe, Mindy Hetzel, Mary Jemison, are pictured with Food Bank representatives Amy Sellers and Michael Hudson.

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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.