September is Rice Month!

September is Rice Month! Did you know rice is one of Mississippi’s top ten agricultural commodities. In 2023, there were 8,791,000 hundredweight rice produced, valued at $134.6 million!

To celebrate Rice Month, here are a few fast facts about rice from our friends at USA Rice:

• The United States produces 20 billion pounds of rice each year.
• Most rice is grown in only six states: Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas. In Mississippi, rice production is grown in the northwestern part of the state. 
• More than 80 percent of the rice we eat in the United States is grown by American farmers! Sushi is one of my favorite foods, and close to 95 percent of rice used to make sushi in the U.S. was grown here. 
• The average American eats 27 pounds of rice each year. 

Why eat rice? There are several benefits to incorporating rice into your diet:

• Rice is rich in more than 15 vitamins and minerals, including beneficial antioxidants.
• There are 100 calories in a half-cup serving of rice.
• Rice is a great food to eat to maintain a healthy weight. Research shows that rice makes you full faster and longer! 
• Whole grains, including brown rice, are good for heart health! It’s an excellent way to help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers, and high blood pressure.
• Rice is known as a “free” food. It’s budget-friendly, coming in at 10 cents per serving. U.S.-grown rice is great because it is gluten-free, sodium-free, and cholesterol-free.

Looking for some rice recipes to add into your meal rotation? Check out these recipes from the Food Factor!

• Italian Ground Beef with Rice 
• Fried Rice Makeover 
• Caribbean Casserole 
• Crispy Rice Peanut Butter Bites 
• Brown Rice Pilaf