LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS – The Arkansas rice industry donated 201,500 pounds of rice to the Arkansas Foodbank in honor of National Rice Month last week. The donation from six mills will provide more than two million servings of rice to help feed families, children, and seniors across the state.
Participating rice mills are Isbell Farms of Humnoke; Producers Rice Mill of Stuttgart; Ralston Family Farms of Atkins; Riceland Foods, Inc. of Stuttgart; Western Foods of Pine Bluff; and Windmill Rice Company of Jonesboro.
"Arkansas rice farmers have been facing some very difficult years, but our commitment to our neighbors has not wavered,” said Jennifer James, Chair of Arkansas Rice Farmers Board of Directors. “We know families across our state are struggling to put food on the table, and we are proud to support the work of alleviating food insecurity for our fellow Arkansans.”
September is also Hunger Action Month. Arkansas ranks first in the nation for food-insecurity. One in five children do not know where their next meal will come from. This rice donation will go directly to the six Feeding America Food Banks in Arkansas and will fill shelves at food pantries for families in need.
“We are continuously astounded by the generosity of Arkansas rice farmers each year," said Brian Burton, Arkansas Foodbank CEO. "Because of their donations, thousands of Arkansas families are able to add a healthy staple to their pantries. Agriculture and hunger relief are intrinsically linked, and together, we are building a better Arkansas for all.”
“This is a great partnership, something I’m really proud to participate in and so thankful for the incredible hardworking members of our ag community from all over Arkansas,” said Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders while helping to fill donation bags with rice.