September 2010 marks the 20th anniversary of National Rice Month, a time when Americans celebrate the important role rice plays in their lives. On average, Americans eat 26 pounds per year, but rice is also good for you. Low in calories and carbohydrates, and with no trans fats or saturated fats, enriched white rice and whole-grain brown rice can be an important part of a heart healthy diet.

Eighty-five percent of the rice consumed in the United States is grown by farmers in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas, who produce more than 20 billion pounds of rice each year, half of which is exported to help feed people around the world.

The U.S. rice industry directly and indirectly employs thousands of Americans, both on- and off-the-farm, and rice contributes more than $17.5 billion in value to our economy each year. It's easy to see why rice is important for our physical and economic health and worthy of celebrating this September.