The delay in food aid allocations has gone on too long. The sharp decline in rice food aid allocations has had a devastating impact on the rice industry. Many mills, especially in South Louisiana, are running at just 20 to 30 percent of capacity, said John Denison, an Iowa, La., rice producer. Mississippi Our thanks to Senator Cochran for his leadership in putting forth this initiative, said Thomas Ferrara, Rice Millers Association chairman. Miss. Texas Many rice mills in Texas are shut down with no rice to mill, said Lee Adams of American Rice Inc., Houston, Texas, and a member of the Rice Millers Association board of directors.
Food aid accounts for a large percentage of millings in South Texas.
Without that business, the financial loss for rice-growing communities producers and millers alike is tremendous. USA Rice is a federation of U.S. rice producers, millers and allied businesses working together to address common challenges, advocate collective interests, and create opportunities to strengthen the long-term economic viability of the U.S. rice industry. The U.S. Rice Producers Group, USA Rice Council and Rice Millers Association are charter members of USA Rice.