Rice industry donates over 214,900 pounds of rice to Arkansas Foodbank – Talk Business & Politics

The Arkansas rice business donated 214,900 kilos of rice to the Arkansas Foodbank on Thursday (Sept. 29) in honor of Nationwide Rice Month. The donation from seven mills will present over 1.6 million servings of rice to assist feed households, kids, and seniors throughout the state.

Taking part rice mills are Arkansas River Rice of Pine Bluff, Farmers Granary, Inc. of McCrory, Producers Rice Mill of Stuttgart, Ralston Household Farms of Atkins, Riceland Meals, Inc. of Stuttgart, Specialty Rice, Inc. of Brinkley, and Windmill Rice Firm of Jonesboro.

“Arkansas rice farmers develop over 50% of the nation’s whole crop and can produce rice on roughly 1.1 million acres this 12 months in over 40 counties, a lot of that are served by the Arkansas Foodbank,” stated Arkansas Rice Government Director Kelly Robbins. “As rice harvest continues, our growers, attempt to be good stewards by giving a portion of their crop to starvation reduction efforts.”

September was additionally Starvation Motion Month. Arkansas ranks second within the nation for meals insecurity. One in 5 kids have no idea the place their subsequent meal will come from. This rice donation will go on to company companions and can fill cabinets at meals pantries for households in want.

“Arkansas rice farmers play a vital function within the combat in opposition to starvation. We’re so grateful for his or her continued partnership and assist as we offer nutritious meals to Arkansans going through meals insecurity,” stated Arkansas Foodbank CEO Rhonda Sanders. “This record-setting donation will likely be distributed between the 5 different Feeding America meals banks in our state who’re working to supply meals to our neighbors: River Valley Regional Meals Financial institution in Fort Smith; Meals Financial institution of Northeast Arkansas in Jonesboro; Harvest Regional Meals Financial institution in Texarkana; Arkansas Foodbank in Little Rock; and Northwest Arkansas Meals Financial institution in Springdale.”

Arkansas is the most important rice-growing state within the nation, producing almost 9 billion kilos yearly. This 12 months, Arkansas family-farmers will produce over 50% of the nation’s rice.