51 stores and counting

KAOHSIUNG, TAIWAN -- TaiShihFu, one of the largest local restaurant chains here with 51 stores, began importing U.S. rice directly in early 2014 for use in their popular meal box.

"TaiShihFu's management reached out to our promotions team about importing U.S. rice directly," said Bill Farmer, the USA Rice Federation's director of Asia Programs.  "We encouraged them to test additional U.S. rice samples from the local market to evaluate quality and texture, and we were pleased they determined that use of U.S. rice could improve the quality of their meal products."

U.S. rice makes the meal

Farmer said the promotions group helped TaiShihFu navigate the tendering process and the company began participating in SBS-USA tender bidding in 2013.  They were awarded 230 metric tons last year, and 300 metric tons so far this year.

TaiShihFu has announced plans for significant expansion throughout Taiwan, which should translate into growing use of U.S. rice accordingly.

Contact:  Jim Guinn (703) 236-1474

STUTTGART, AR -- The deadline for submitting applications for the Rice Leadership Development program is this Saturday, October 4.  Rice producers and other industry-related professionals are encouraged to apply for the next class, which will be announced in December at the USA Rice Outlook Conference in Little Rock, AR. 

For more information on the program or an application form, visit http://www.usarice.com. 

Contact:  Chuck Wilson (870) 673-7541

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