USA Rice Daily
Up-to-the-Minute News on Issues and Activities
Monday, September 21, 2015
Rouses Proudly Supports America's Rice Farmers
ARLINGTON, VA -- During September National Rice Month (NRM), USA Rice is partnering with grocery store chain Rouses to inspire people to 'think rice' while shopping and planning meals.  Several customized NRM rice promotions are underway reaching shoppers with key U.S. rice messages before, during, and after their shopping experience at Rouses locations across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
 
Rouses kicked off NRM with an in-store radio announcement touting America's rice farmers and the benefits of U.S.-grown rice that played every thirty minutes in thirty-seven locations.  Store windows display a healthy eating poster with a prominent image of brown rice, and a full-page NRM advertisement is featured in the September/October issue of My Rouses Everyday, a publication available in stores and online.
 
"Shoppers also have the opportunity to 'think rice' with Rouses' Chef Nino by taking part in two in-store cooking classes in honor of NRM," said Katie Maher, USA Rice director of domestic promotion.  "The cooking class menu features three U.S. rice recipes:  USA Rice's Curried Chicken Lime Rice Bowl, Wild Rice Mushroom Pilaf, and Ginger Pork Stir-Fry. Each recipe is also accompanied by a rice nutrition fact."
 
On September 8, Chef Nino made an appearance on This Morning New Orleans, a local TV segment reaching more than 3,000 viewers, where he called out NRM and cooked a recipe featuring U.S.-grown basmati rice.   
Rouses is also conducting NRM promotional activities online.  Earlier this month, a promotional e-mail entitled "Eat Local for Labor Day" was sent to more than 17,000 subscribers and highlighted U.S.-grown rice messaging and the NRM logo.  Rouses is planning at least four NRM focused social media posts this month and has already shared USA Rice's recipes and new promotional video.
 
"Rouses is a great retail partner for U.S. rice and they are clearly demonstrating their commitment to supporting America's rice farmers," said Maher.  "Rouses even expanded on our planned NRM promotions, incorporating bonus activities at many locations.  They are a strong advocate for our industry and we thank them for their support."
 
Contact:  Amy Doane (703) 236-1454
National Rice Month Promotional Item of the Week
Smart chefs 'Think Rice' 
 
Order this trendy Think Rice apron and other promotional items at the USA Rice Online Store or print and mail the item order form.

Crop Progress:   2015 Crop 55 Percent Harvested   

WASHINGTON, DC -- Fifty-five percent of the nation's 2015 rice acreage is harvested, according to today's U.S. Department of Agriculture's Crop Progress Report .

Rice Headed, Selected States 
Week Ending
State
 Sept 20, 2014  
Sept 13, 2015 
Sept 20, 2015
2010-2014 average
Percent
Arkansas
42
41
57
56
California
7
10
15
6
Louisiana
92
94
95
95
Mississippi
46
45
59
61
Missouri
24
8
20 
38
Texas
95
93
97
97
Six States
45
44
55
54
CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures   
CME Group (Prelim):  Closing Rough Rice Futures for September 21

Month
Price
Net Change
November 2015$12.805
- $0.145
January 2016
$13.090
- $0.140
March 2016
$13.310
- $0.130
May 2016$13.495
- $0.120
July 2016$13.660
- $0.080
September 2016$12.905
- $0.040
November 2016
$12.905
- $0.040
In the News
Around the Country
Environment Notebook Arkansas Online
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded $927,000 to the White River Irrigation District for a cooperative for rice farmers that aims to reduce their carbon footprint and use of water and nutrients.
 
Riverina Rice Farmers Surprised by California's Water Resources ABC Rural
In California's Sacramento Valley, water is ten times cheaper than what some irrigators are paying in New South Wales, even after the state's four-year record low water levels.
 
 
Science and Technology
Chemicals are the subject of Ingredients: A visual Exploration of 75 Additives and 25 Food Products, the new book by photographer Dwight Eschliman and writer Steve Ettlinger. "This book," they say, "is for anyone wondering what's in their food."
 
 
Tariffs and Trade
The regulations allow companies handling agricultural commodities and other authorized exports to have offices, retail outlets and warehouses in Cuba.
Upcoming Events
Recent Issues
Mission Statement
About Us