RiceSelect® "Jars of Hope" Program Helps Fight Food Insecurity in California

RiceSelect brand donated $25,000 to the California Association of Food Banks and $100,000+ worth of products to Feeding San Diego and the Los Angeles Food Bank

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Riviana Foods Inc. ("Riviana"), America's leading rice company, is growing its RiceSelect brand by expanding its offerings across grocery shelves in California. With that, the company is supporting approximately 2 million food insecure families in California and assisting the state's food banks which are experiencing record high demand. 

Recently, the RiceSelect brand joined with the California Association of Food Banks (CAFB) for the "Jars of Hope" campaign to fight hunger and provide meals to food-insecure families. Through the campaign, the RiceSelect brand donated $1 to the CAFB for every jar of RiceSelect sold at select California retailers (Walmart, Ralphs Grocery, Food 4 Less, and Foods Co.) from October 14-November 10, 2024.

Yesterday, representatives from Riviana, CAFB and Feeding San Diego came together to celebrate the success of this campaign. During the event, Riviana presented CAFB with a $25,000 check from "Jars of Hope" to support the organization's Farm to Family Program which recovers high-quality produce in California  — that would otherwise be tilled under or lost — and donates it to food banks throughout the state.

In addition to the monetary donation and ceremonial check, Riviana presented Feeding San Diego with a significant product donation at the event. Additionally, to help feed those who have been displaced and impacted by wildfires, Riviana recently provided a major product donation to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.

In total, Riviana provided more than 23,000 lbs of RiceSelect, Mahatma and Blue Ribbon products to Feeding San Diego and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. The retail value of the rice and grain products sent to both food banks amount to more than $100,000.

"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 help provide meals and nourishment to residents in need," said Erica Larson, Director of Marketing at Riviana. "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." 

This commitment to community goes hand in hand with the history of quality and innovation in the RiceSelect portfolio. More than 40 years ago, the RiceSelect brand introduced Texmati^® Rice—a high-quality aromatic rice variety. Fast forward to now, and that same passion for great grains continues to drive the brand across its signature line of rice and sub-brands of grains and pasta. Today, the RiceSelect brand offers a trustworthy, premium line of products that come in BPA-free jars designed to feed inspiration in the kitchen through unforgettable meals.

"California food banks are serving more than 6 million people each month, which is only possible with the leadership of companies like Riviana Foods," explained Stacia Hill Levenfeld, Chief Executive Officer of California Association of Food Banks. "We are thankful for Riviana's support for our Farm to Family program—and what makes this partnership more incredible is their additional donation of rice and grains—culturally relevant, shelf stable products so often out of reach to food banks."

RiceSelect products are available throughout the U.S. and the brand continues to increase its California distribution. Visit www.RiceSelect.com for more information on this product.

About Riviana Foods Inc. and RiceSelect^® Products
Riviana Foods Inc. ("Riviana") is the largest processor, marketer and distributor of branded and private label rice products in the United States. The Riviana family of well-known brands includes RiceSelect^®, Minute^®, Success^®, Mahatma^®, Carolina^®, and Tilda^®. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Riviana is a subsidiary of Ebro Foods, S.A., a company known as the global leader in rice.

All RiceSelect^® products are made with the finest ingredients using exacting standards and rigorous attention to detail. Each product provides a special quality, taste, or texture, making it perfectly suited for a wide variety of recipe applications. The RiceSelect^® product line includes rice varieties such as Arborio, Royal Blend^®, Jasmati^®, Texmati^®, and Sushi Rice, as well as Couscous, Pearl Couscous, Orzo and Quinoa varieties.

ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF FOOD BANKS
Since the California Association of Food Banks (CAFB) formed in 1995, it has grown into a powerful network leading the fight against hunger in California with a shared belief that access to food is a fundamental right. California produces more than enough nutritious food to feed everyone in the state. CAFB partners with more than 40 food banks who support 6,000+ community-based organizations, as well as 200+ agricultural partners with a common mission: to end hunger. Through collaborative partnerships. CAFB is a collective force making equitable access to food the standard, not the exception. For more information about CAFB, please visit cafoodbanks.org.

SOURCE Riviana Foods Inc.