The Arkansas rice industry donated 110,100 pounds of rice to the Arkansas Rice Depot in honor of National Rice Month on Monday (Sept. 21).

The donation will provide 1.1 million servings of rice for hungry Arkansas families. Participating rice processors included Riceland Foods, Inc., Windmill Rice Company, Cormier Rice Milling, Producers Rice Mill, Riviana Foods and Specialty Rice, Inc.

“The Arkansas rice industry is pleased to partner with the Arkansas Rice Depot to fight hunger in Arkansas,” Arkansas Rice Council President Steve Orlicek said. "We are proud to produce a quality food supply in our own backyards that can be used to help feed our neighbors and hungry families across the state.”

The Arkansas Rice Depot is a statewide food bank that works with 600 Arkansas hunger relief programs including food pantries, school food programs, disaster relief organizations and a statewide hunger hotline.

“I can't express how grateful we are for the Arkansas rice industry's generous donation,” Arkansas Rice Depot President and CEO Kim Aaron said. "Rice is such a staple across the globe, but we are fortunate to have local growers to donate such a versatile product for us to put into backpacks and pantries.”

Also on Monday, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson proclaimed September as "Rice Month" in Arkansas. Hutchinson discussed efforts to open new markets for the rice industry during his upcoming trip to Cuba. Accompanied by Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward and other rice leaders, the governor will travel to Cuba from Sept. 26 through Oct. 2.

For more information, visit http://www.arkansasricefarmers.org/.