Rice industry donates over 214,900 pounds of rice to Arkansas Foodbank
by October 1, 2022 5:37 am 640 views
The Arkansas rice industry donated 214,900 pounds of rice to the Arkansas Foodbank on Thursday (Sept. 29) in honor of National Rice Month. The donation from seven mills will provide over 1.6 million servings of rice to help feed families, children, and seniors across the state.
Participating rice mills are Arkansas River Rice of Pine Bluff, Farmers Granary, Inc. of McCrory, Producers Rice Mill of Stuttgart, Ralston Family Farms of Atkins, Riceland Foods, Inc. of Stuttgart, Specialty Rice, Inc. of Brinkley, and Windmill Rice Company of Jonesboro.
“Arkansas rice farmers grow over 50% of the nation’s total crop and will produce rice on approximately 1.1 million acres this year in over 40 counties, many of which are served by the Arkansas Foodbank,” said Arkansas Rice Executive Director Kelly Robbins. “As rice harvest continues, our growers, try to be good stewards by giving a portion of their crop to hunger relief efforts.”
September was also Hunger Action Month. Arkansas ranks second 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 agency partners and will fill shelves at food pantries for families in need.
“Arkansas rice farmers play a crucial role in the fight against hunger. We’re so grateful for their continued partnership and support as we provide nutritious food to Arkansans facing food insecurity,” said Arkansas Foodbank CEO Rhonda Sanders. “This record-setting donation will be distributed between the five other Feeding America food banks in our state who are working to provide food to our neighbors: River Valley Regional Food Bank in Fort Smith; Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas in Jonesboro; Harvest Regional Food Bank in Texarkana; Arkansas Foodbank in Little Rock; and Northwest Arkansas Food Bank in Springdale.”
Arkansas is the largest rice-growing state in the nation, producing nearly 9 billion pounds annually. This year, Arkansas family-farmers will produce over 50% of the nation’s rice.