Show and tell

NEW MADRID, MO -- Last week, more than 350 Missouri students learned about rice grown in their state and the role rice plays in leading a healthy lifestyle.  Missouri rice producer Blake Gerard and Megan Zehner, a dietetic intern with the Missouri Department of Health, led five assemblies at four New Madrid County schools and one school in Cape Girardeau.  The learning events were based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food, program to inspire learning and conversation about local foods.

Gerard brought the farm experience to the classroom for fourth and fifth grade students at Lilbourn, New Madrid, and Matthews Elementary schools as well as kindergarten through eighth grade students at Prodigy Leadership Academy.  Missouri rice producers Amy Dowdy, Chuck Earnest, and Trent Haggard also took part in the events.

"I always enjoy showing students the rice growing process and teaching them about the benefits rice brings to Missouri," said Gerard.  "Too many people are detached from agriculture and the food supply, but activities like this let us tell our story and connect young people with locally-grown food."

This will be on the test

 Students received the USA Rice Federation's

"It is important to educate students on where their food comes from and how it arrives on their plate," said Amy Grammer, a teacher at Prodigy Leadership Academy.  "We were excited to host this program and are working with Blake to plan a field trip to his farm later this month."

USA Rice worked with New Madrid County Schools to ensure brown rice was served with steamed vegetables for a lunch at all six county schools on the day of the event, and USA Rice's new Spanish Brown Rice recipe for K-12, was served at Prodigy Leadership Academy.

At New Madrid County middle and high schools, students taking courses in Agriculture and Family & Consumer Science took part in a "Build Your Own Healthy Rice Bowl" activity with the option to prepare a Southwest Fajita, Sweet & Sour, or Breakfast rice bowl.

Edible homework is the best

"All of the students are aware of MyPlate and know that rice has a place in healthy eating," said Zehner.  "Having students create their own rice bowl with ingredients they can commonly find in their pantry or refrigerator encourages them to make smart choices when preparing food at home."

USA Rice works with state rice industry leaders to conduct classroom learning events and nationally with school foodservice menu planners to encourage greater usage of brown rice to comply with the whole grain requirements for school meals.

Contact:  Katie Maher (703) 236-1453

Place this handy shopping list on your refrigerator so you can conveniently add items as needed.  This shopping list pad has 50 lined sheets and always keeps U.S.-grown rice at the top of your grocery list.

Show your support of National Rice Month now and all year long when you Reach for Rice.

Order these and other promotional items at the USA Rice Online Store.

Contact:  Katie Maher (703) 236-1453

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