Louisiana Rice Industry Donates 14,000 Pounds Of Rice To Needy Families

Baton Rouge, LA., September 30, 2004 — In honor of National Rice Month, the Louisiana rice industry donated 14,000 pounds of rice this week to help feed needy families. The rice will provide 112,000 servings of rice to hungry families in Louisiana. Participating rice mills included Falcon Rice Mill, Crowley; Farmers Rice Milling Co., Lake Charles; Louisiana Rice Mill, Mermentau; Riceland Foods, Inc., Crowley; Riviana Foods, Abbeville; and Supreme Rice Mill, Crowley.

The Louisiana Rice Council presented the rice to Michael Manning, executive director of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, a regional food bank that distributes food to needy citizens through more than 100 agencies in a 12-parish area around Baton Rouge.

“The food bank is so dependant on the generosity of others to support its efforts,” Manning said. “The rice industry is a great example of how Louisiana farmers and processors come together in support of our needy citizens.” Last year, the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank distributed food to an average of 4,450 needy people each day.

Louisiana is a key supplier of U.S. grown rice, producing more than 3 billion pounds annually. Sponsored by the USA Rice Federation, National Rice Month is now in its 14th year.

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