Fifteen U.S. rice mills have signed licensing agreements for the “Grown in the USA” logo, USA Rice Federation announced. The logo, developed by the USA Rice Federation for use on packaging containing rice grown and packaged in the U.S. for domestic and worldwide markets, will help consumers and foodservice professionals identify and choose U.S.-grown rice. The companies, who are being honored by USA Rice at its annual meeting as 2008 founding licensees, represent nearly 70 percent of total domestic rice shipments. They are:

American Rice

Doguet's Rice Mill

Falcon Rice Mill

Farmers Rice Milling

Hoppe Farms

Louisiana Rice Mill

Lowell Farms

Mars Food

Producers Rice Mill

Rice Tec

Riceland Foods

Riviana Foods

Sem Chi Rice Products

Spec Italy Rice

Sunwest Foods

Research shows that “buying American” to support the economy and U.S. farmers is important to both consumers and foodservice professionals. The “Grown in the USA” rice logo helps both segments identify and choose U.S.-grown rice.

American rice farmers grow approximately 19 billion pound of rice in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas. Long-, medium-, and short-grain rice, as well as specialty rice varieties, are grown in the U.S., and nearly 85 percent of all rice consumed in America is grown here. U.S. rice farmers produce nearly 2 percent of the world’s annual rice supply, but are the world’s fourth largest rice exporter, sending 50 percent of annual production to overseas customers.

“The new logo will serve as a powerful new marketing tool for the industry. It allows us to say to consumers, when you want the standard for excellence, choose U.S.-grown rice,” said Jamie Warshaw, chairman of the USA Rice Federation.

For more information on applying for a license of the “Grown in the USA” rice logo, contact the USA Rice Federation at (703) 236-2300. The logo is available for license by any food manufacturer who qualifies.