USA Rice to Kick Off Annual K-12 “Healthy Rice Bowls Contest”
Contest Celebrates September as National Rice Month and National School Lunch Week in October
July 8, 2009 –The USA Rice Federation announced its annual "Healthy Rice Bowls Contest" for Kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12) School Foodservice Directors at the 2009 School Nutrition Associations (SNA) annual conference. Details follow:
Why: In honor of National Rice Month (September) and SNAs National School Lunch Week (October 12-16), this years event will kick off in September to support lunch initiatives that promote healthful eating habits for children returning to school. The contest encourages school foodservice personnel to create their own signature Rice Bowls or show how they’re creatively serving USA Rices Beef and Vegetable Teriyaki Rice Bowl – featured as one of SNAs "All-Star School Lunch" menu ideas. Rice Bowls have quickly become a lunchtime favorite among students and are ideal for delivering the balanced nutrition that kids require.
When: The contest will run from September 1 through November 6.
How: To enter, school foodservice personnel will:
Feature Healthy Rice Bowls using U.S. rice on their school lunch menu
Send in a description of how Healthy Rice Bowls were prepared and served
Submit one or more photos of their students and staff enjoying Rice Bowls
What: Winners will be notified on or around November 9, 2009. Grand Prize Winner will receive a $250 VISA gift card toward their school’s education fund, one heavy duty commercial cooker for their school and one 10-cup Sensor Logic cooker for their home kitchen. First and Second runners up will each receive one heavy duty commercial cooker for their school. Winners will also be featured on USA Rice’s foodservice Web site, www.MenuRice.com, which attracts more than 15,000 visits a month.
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.
