USA Rice to Conduct Annual K-12 Healthy Rice Bowl Contest
Contest Begins September National Rice Month; Winner and School Receive Aroma Rice Cookers
July 21, 2008 – At the School Nutrition Association annual conference today, the USA Rice Federation announced its annual “Healthy Rice Bowls Contest” for Kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12) School Foodservice Directors. Details follow:
Why: In honor of National Rice Month, the event will kick off in September to celebrate the healthfulness of rice and its many benefits for children returning to school. The contest encourages school foodservice personnel to creatively offer rice on their menu with Healthy Rice Bowls. A growing trend, Rice Bowls are ideal for delivering complete meals that are full of flavor, offer the nutrition benefits of brown and enriched white rice, and combine well with other nutritious foods like vegetables and proteins.
When: The contest will run from September 1 through October 31.
How: To participate in the contest, school foodservice personnel will:
Feature Healthy Rice Bowls using U.S. rice on your school lunch menu
Send in a description of your Healthy Rice Bowls
Submit one or more photos of students and staff enjoying the Rice Bowls
What: All valid entries are eligible for a drawing. The winner of the contest will receive two Aroma rice cookers: a heavy duty commercial rice cooker for their school and a 10-cup rice cooker for their home kitchen. In addition, USA Rice’s foodservice Web site, www.MenuRice.com, which attracts more than 15,000 visits a month, will feature the winner.
Who:The USA Rice Federation is the national advocate for all segments of the rice industry, conducting programs to build awareness and usage of U.S.-grown rice. U.S. rice accounts for over 80% of the rice consumed in America. It is grown and harvested by local farmers in five south central states and California according to the highest quality and cleanliness standards. The U.S. produces an abundance of short, medium and long grain rice, as well as specialty rices including jasmine, basmati, arborio, red aromatic and black japonica, among others.
For more information, contact Rosa Marie Brantley at (410) 715-1500 x152.
