RiceSelect’s “Jars of Hope” Program Tackles Food Insecurity in California
Riviana Foods Inc., the leading rice company in the U.S., has launched the “Jars of Hope” program through its RiceSelect brand to combat food insecurity in California. The initiative aims to support approximately 2 million food-insecure families across the state.
As part of the campaign, RiceSelect donated $25,000 to the California Association of Food Banks (CAFB) and over $100,000 worth of rice products to Feeding San Diego and the Los Angeles Food Bank. The donations include more than 23,000 pounds of RiceSelect, Mahatma, and Blue Ribbon products.
“We created the ‘Jars of Hope’ program to support California, and now, more than ever, the state needs help from corporations and philanthropic organizations to provide meals and nourishment to residents in need,” said Erica Larson, Director of Marketing at Riviana Foods. “We recognize the vital role our shelf-stable products play in fighting food insecurity and hope these donations make a difference during this challenging time.”
The “Jars of Hope” campaign ran from October 14 to November 10, 2024, with $1 donated to CAFB for every jar of RiceSelect sold at participating retailers, including Walmart, Ralphs Grocery, Food 4 Less, and Foods Co. The funds raised will support CAFB’s Farm to Family Program, which recovers high-quality produce that would otherwise be lost and donates it to food banks throughout California.
“We are in the midst of a hunger crisis. Right now, we are seeing food insecurity rates at levels similar to those in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Stacia Levenfeld, CEO of CAFB. “The support from Riviana Foods and the ‘Jars of Hope’ program is crucial in helping us provide nutritious food to families in need.”
For more information, visit RiceSelect’s press release.