ARLINGTON, VA – Last week, USA Rice was officially recognized as a
Silver MyPlate Leader based on active participation in and promotion of
MyPlate, a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that serves as a nutrition guide and visual reminder for healthy eating based on the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Tiered recognition levels are fairly new to the MyPlate program, and were created and launched last fall to better acknowledge participation and engagement by strategic partners such as USA Rice. There are four award levels: Partner, Promoter (Bronze), Leader (Silver), and Champion (Gold).
“The MyPlate National Strategic Partner Team is pleased to recognize USA Rice with the Silver MyPlate Leader achievement for your active participation in promoting MyPlate to your audiences for the inaugural cycle of the Partner Recognition Program,” said Barbara Jirka, PhD, a nutritionist at the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, and member of the MyPlate National Partnership team.
USA Rice achieved Silver Leader status through consistent participation in MyPlate website promotion, logo and message inclusion on consumer resources, and collaborating with other MyPlate organizations to make MyPlate a household name. USA Rice will receive additional recognition of its Silver Leader status from the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion during an upcoming, in-person partner meeting.
“This is a great accomplishment for USA Rice and the greater domestic rice industry,” said Sam Schnieder, CEO of Inland Rice Company and chair of the USA Rice Nutrition Subcommittee. “This recognition highlights our commitment to promoting healthy eating patterns based on the Dietary Guidelines in which rice plays a significant role, and further positions USA Rice as a valuable partner and resource to the USDA.”