Arkansas rice farmers are helping fight hunger across the state with a donation of more than 200,000 pounds of rice to Arkansas food banks.
The donation was announced Thursday at the Arkansas Foodbank in Little Rock in recognition of National Rice Month and Hunger Action Month.
The rice was donated by six Arkansas rice mills, including Ralston Family Farms of Atkins, and will be distributed to the state’s six Feeding America food banks. From there, the rice will help stock food pantries serving families, children and senior citizens across Arkansas.
Organizers say the donation will provide more than two million servings of rice at a time when more than 639,000 Arkansans are facing food insecurity, including one in four children.
Jennifer James, chair of the Arkansas Rice Farmers Board of Directors, said the effort is especially meaningful to those who make their living growing food.
James said farmers understand the importance of making sure their neighbors have food on the table, adding that the long-standing partnership between Arkansas Rice and the Arkansas Foodbank provides an opportunity for the state’s rice industry to directly help families in need.
Arkansas Foodbank CEO Brian Burton also thanked the state’s rice farmers, noting that they have faced a difficult year but are still making approximately two million servings of rice available to people who need assistance.
The donated rice will be distributed through food banks and local food pantries across Arkansas.
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