AR Rice Chair Dow Brantley steps up to present annual rice donation to sustain those in need (photo by Staci Vandagriff)
Sep 10, 2025
LITTLE ROCK, AR – Yesterday, the Arkansas rice industry donated 312,400 pounds of rice to the Arkansas Foodbank in honor of National Rice Month.
The donation from six mills will provide more than 2.5 million servings of rice to help feed families, children, and seniors across the state. Participating rice mills were Isbell Farms of Humnoke, Poinsett Rice & Grain of Jonesboro, Producers Rice Mill of Stuttgart, Ralston Family Farms of Atkins, Riceland Foods, Inc. of Stuttgart, and Windmill Rice Company of Jonesboro.
"Arkansas rice farmers grow more than 50 percent of the nation’s total crop and will produce rice on 1.2 million acres this year in more than 35 counties, all of which are served by the food banks of Arkansas,” said Arkansas Rice Executive Director Kelly Robbins. “As rice harvest continues, our growers want to be good stewards by giving a portion of their crop to hunger relief efforts in our state."
September is also Hunger Action Month. Arkansas ranks first in the nation for food-insecurity, and this rice donation will go directly to agency partners and will fill shelves at food pantries for families in need.
“This gift of rice to the Foodbanks of Arkansas is so much more than just a meal. This rice will provide hope and nourishment to those who need it most,” said Arkansas Foodbank CEO Brian Burton. “All of us are incredibly grateful for our rice farmers who play such a critical role in the fight against hunger.”
Arkansas is the largest rice-growing state in the nation, producing nearly 9 billion pounds annually. The state’s rice growers and millers contribute more than $6 billion each year to the state's economy and employ more than 25,000 Arkansans.
"As rice harvest is ongoing and continues, our state's rice community is committed to being good stewards by giving a portion of our crop to hunger relief efforts around the state," said Dow Brantley, a rice farmer and chair of Arkansas Rice. "Even though the farming community is struggling with severe economic issues, we know how important it is to continue to stay involved in this crucial effort.”