SIKESTON, MO - The Missouri rice industry marked the kickoff of National Rice Month on Tuesday with a donation that will put more than 10,000 meals on tables across 16 counties in southeast Missouri. The event, Harvesting Hope, was made possible by four donor companies: Heritage Rice Company, Inland Cape Rice Company, Martin Rice Company, and Riceland Foods. Governor Mike Kehoe joined rice industry members, including USA Rice President & CEO Peter Bachmann, food bank supporters, and community leaders at the Southeast Missouri Food Bank for the occasion.
Southeast Missouri Food Bank President and CEO Joey Keys opened the program by explaining how the idea took shape and connecting it to the broader goals of Hunger Action Month, which also falls in September.
USA Rice Senior Director of Grower and International Relations Mollie Buckler followed with remarks on National Rice Month and the Missouri Rice Council’s role in coordinating the donation. She explained, the Missouri Rice Council commemorates National Rice Month each year, but it was its first time collaborating with the Food Bank.
“Harvesting Hope was inspired by the ways that the Arkansas rice industry supports its state food banks each September. Missouri saw an opportunity to build something similar at home.” Buckler said.
Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Chris Chinn and Kehoe also addressed the crowd. The latter presented a proclamation declaring Rice Month in the state of Missouri.
The event concluded with a tour of the Food Bank’s warehouse, where attendees got a firsthand look at the logistics behind getting the donated rice onto plates across the region.
Rice is often used as a key part of food bank distribution because of its affordability, nutritional qualities, and shelf stability. While USDA purchases rice throughout the year for distribution for various food banks and school feeding programs, U.S. rice mills have a long history of donating additional product to their local communities.