September is National Rice Month!

It’s Time to Salute America’s Rice Farmers and Rice Industry

Washington, DC, September 1, 2004 — Why not make a rice recipe for your family tonight in honor of America’s rice farmers? America has been celebrating the U.S. rice industry for the past 14 years through the National Rice Month promotional program sponsored by the USA Rice Federation. Initiated by an act of Congress in 1991, National Rice Month helps to increase awareness of rice and recognizes the contribution made by U.S. rice farmers and millers to America’s economy. National Rice Month celebrations will take place across America this September in grocery stores, restaurants, schools, and rice-growing communities.

America loves rice! 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. Its taste, versatility, nutritional value, convenience and low cost make rice a popular choice with consumers nationwide and of different cultural backgrounds.

Rice recipes to help celebrate National Rice Month and for all occasions are available on USA Rice’s Web site at www.usarice.com.

If you’re interested in promoting the rice industry, National Rice Month premium items such as t-shirts, caps, aprons and balloons are available to help liven up your promotion. For more information about National Rice Month, visit www.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.

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Contacts:

Molly Johnson
(703) 236-2300
mjohnson@usarice.com

Trish Alderson
(703) 236-1472
talderson@usarice.com