#85 Can Rice Be Fancy?

#85 Can Rice Be Fancy?

Author: USA Rice February 27, 2024 Duration: 50:52

Members of the Specialty Food Association (SFA) create high-end foods and drinks. Rice is often found as an ingredient, but why not take the spotlight? Michael went to SFA's Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas last month to ask this question and sample fancy food. He's back to talk about his observations with Lesley and share an interview with California rice farmers (and show exhibitors) Tom and Carter Knowles of Chico Rice. He also visited with Laurie Demeritt, CEO of The Hartman Group about food trends and consumer desires. And SFA's Leana Salamah stops by to talk about the market and her organization.

With special guests:

Leana Salamah​​​​ SVP, Marketing & Communications, Specialty Food Association, Laurie Demeritt, CEO, The Hartman Group, Carter Knowles, Chico Rice, and Tom Knowles, Chico Rice

Hosted by:

Michael Klein and Lesley Dixon


Digging into the complex and surprisingly fascinating world of a single grain, The Rice Stuff is a conversation about more than just agriculture. Hosts Michael and Lesley serve as guides, pulling back the curtain on the entire journey of U.S.-grown rice, from the soil in the fields to its place on global tables. They achieve this by stepping aside to let the real experts speak: the farmers making daily decisions under the sun, the scientists in labs developing resilient varieties, the millers ensuring quality, and the marketers navigating international trade. Each episode of this podcast feels like a field visit or a behind-the-scenes meeting, uncovering narratives that intersect science, business, and environmental stewardship. You’ll hear about tangible conservation efforts that protect water and land, the economic strategies that connect American farms to overseas markets, and the technological innovations quietly transforming a traditional industry. It’s a detailed portrait of a staple food, revealing the dedication and ingenuity embedded in every bag. While those within the agriculture sector will find deep, relevant insights, the stories are told with a clarity that welcomes anyone curious about where their food comes from and the intricate systems that produce it. Tune in for genuine conversations that go beyond the surface, offering a new appreciation for the people and processes behind U.S. rice.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 130

The Rice Stuff
Podcast Episodes
#8 U.S. Rice in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Turkey, and the UK [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:16
USA Rice's Eszter Somogyi joins the show today all the way from Hamburg, Germany to talk about the U.S. rice promotions she oversees from Accra to Zarqa and spots in between. She'll cover the varied customs of her custom…
#7 Rice Sustainability Partners [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:46
Achieving sustainability goals is a group effort. The U.S. rice industry is fortunate to have a lot of great partners helping make their collective vision a reality. Representatives from Riceland Foods, Anheuser-Busch, a…
#6 The Great Pandemic Promotion Pivot [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:36
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live, shop, and eat. It's also changed the way USA Rice promotes the rice industry. Director of Domestic Promotion Cameron Jacobs joins the podcast to talk about the great pan…
#5 The Unique Biodiversity of Rice Fields [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:48
Rice fields are unique amongst row crops in that they sustain so much wildlife. From birds to invertebrates and now even fish – hundreds of species of critters call these working fields home. U.S. rice farmers know this…
#4 Food Aid 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:51
At any given time upward of 50 countries are receiving vital food aid from the United States, and with experts describing today's global humanitarian crises as "biblical," now is the time to learn about food aid programs…
#3 U.S. Rice Promotion in the Western Hemisphere [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:11
Roughly half of U.S.-grown rice is exported to 130 countries with most of it destined for a Western Hemisphere location – Mexico, Canada, Central America, or Haiti. USA Rice's international promotion gurus, Sarah Moran &…
#2 The U.S. Rice Industry Sustainability Report [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:51
Anyone in the U.S. rice industry will tell you they are proud of their industry's sustainability record and credentials. But for many consumers and customers, the proof is in the pudding. Meet the keepers and compilers o…
#1 The Voice of the Farmer Garden in Washington DC [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:35
Lesley visited The Voice of the Farmer Garden on the National Mall in Washington, DC to see if The Farm Journal Foundation will be able to grow rice steps away from the Capitol Building and the White House. It's not as u…
Welcome to The Rice Stuff [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19
During each episode, your hosts Michael and Lesley will explore the world of U.S.-grown rice through the eyes of the people who know it best – farmers, millers, researchers, marketers, exporters and end-users. Whether it…