AR rice industry donates 284K pounds of rice to state food bank

Eric Tyler (photo credit: AR Rice)

September is National Rice Month and Hunger Action Month. On Wednesday, in celebration of National Rice Month, Mark Isbell with Arkansas Rice Industry announced a donation from the industry of more than 284,000 pounds of milled rice to the Arkansas Food Bank…

“As harvest continues and as we celebrate Arkansas Rice Month, the farmers and the industry representatives from across the state that work with rice want to give a portion of what we do back in an effort to help alleviate hunger across the state,” Isbell said. “Through the collaboration with the Food Bank this year, I’m proud to announce a contribution of 284,490 pounds of rice. That is 4.5 million servings…”

The donation comes from ten rice mills in Arkansas, including Ralston Family Farms of Atkins. Arkansas Food Bank CEO Brian Burton says the record-setting donation will be distributed to all six Feeding America food banks in Arkansas to help hungry families in all 75 counties…

The rice industry in Arkansas has a significant impact on the state’s economy and helps alleviate food insecurity in the state. Arkansas is the leading producer of rice in the United States; the state produces over half of the rice grown annually in the country, and the rice industry in Arkansas provides over 25,000 jobs and has a $6 billion impact on the state’s economy…

Published Date: September 19, 2024