LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – In a show of commitment to addressing hunger in the state, members of Arkansas’s rice industry donated nearly 284,500 pounds of rice to the Arkansas Food Bank on Wednesday, coinciding with National Rice Month and Hunger Action Month. This year’s donation translates to approximately 4.5 million servings of rice for those in need.
During a press conference, officials highlighted the alarming food insecurity rate in Arkansas, which stands at 19%, the highest in the nation according to a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture report. “For us to be such great leaders in agriculture, we should be able to address this problem,” said Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
Agriculture is Arkansas’s largest industry, with rice playing a significant role, providing over 25,000 jobs and contributing an estimated $6 billion to the state’s economy. Mark Isbell, a rice farmer, noted that Arkansas produces more than half of the nation’s rice, utilizing around 1.4 million acres across 40 counties for rice production this year.
Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward emphasized the global reputation of Arkansas’s rice industry, mentioning a recent visit from Indonesia’s minister of agriculture to witness the state’s successful rice production firsthand. Despite recent economic challenges, including high inflation and low commodity prices, Ward praised the rice industry’s dedication to supporting Arkansans in need.
The rice industry has significantly increased its annual contributions to the Arkansas Food Bank, with this year’s donation more than doubling the roughly 141,000 pounds donated in 2019.
To combat food insecurity, Arkansas has taken steps, including legislation passed in 2023 that allows low-income students qualifying for reduced-price meals to receive them for free. The state also participated in the new federal Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) program, providing qualifying students with $120 for groceries during the summer break.
Brian Burton, CEO of the Arkansas Food Bank, noted that increasing participation in federal nutrition programs could help the state improve its food insecurity ranking. “The paradox is not lost on any of us,” Burton said, highlighting the disconnect between Arkansas’s agricultural abundance and its high hunger rates. He stressed the importance of collective action to ensure that no one in the state goes to bed hungry, calling for a moral imperative to address this pressing issue.
As Arkansas continues to confront these challenges, the collaboration between the rice industry and the Arkansas Food Bank exemplifies a commitment to fostering a more equitable food system for all residents.
