National Rice Month
September 1 - September 30
About National Rice Month
National Rice Month takes place throughout September 2026, running from 1 September to 30 September. Held each year in the United States, it celebrates the country’s rice harvest, honours the contribution of the American rice industry, and encourages people to cook, share, and enjoy this versatile grain.
How to Celebrate National Rice Month
Rice is one of the most adaptable ingredients in the kitchen, which makes National Rice Month an easy occasion to mark. Here are plenty of ways to join in:
- Try a new rice dish – Branch out from your usual recipe and cook something different, whether a fragrant biryani, a creamy risotto, or a simple bowl of fluffy jasmine rice.
- Explore rice varieties – Pick up a type you have never cooked before, such as wild rice, basmati, arborio, or short-grain sushi rice, and notice how the texture and flavour change.
- Host a rice-themed dinner – Invite friends or family over for a meal built around rice dishes from different cuisines, from paella to fried rice to rice pudding.
- Master a classic technique – Use the month to perfect a skill, such as cooking sushi rice, making a proper pilaf, or achieving the golden crust of a Persian tahdig.
- Bake with rice – Move beyond savoury dishes and try a sweet rice pudding, rice flour cake, or other rice-based dessert.
- Support American-grown rice – Look for rice grown in the United States and learn where your grain comes from, supporting the farmers behind the harvest.
- Share your recipes online – Post photographs of your dishes and swap tips and favourite recipes with others taking part.
- Donate to a food bank – Rice is a staple that food banks rely on, so contributing a few bags is a simple way to help others while marking the month.
What is National Rice Month?
National Rice Month is an annual celebration of rice and the United States rice industry, observed every September. It recognises rice as a dietary staple enjoyed around the world and highlights the role American rice farmers play in the country’s economy and food supply. The observance is embraced by home cooks, chefs, food businesses, schools, and rice-growing communities, all of whom use the month to showcase the grain in countless forms.
When is National Rice Month?
National Rice Month is held throughout September each year. In 2026, it runs from Tuesday, 1 September to Wednesday, 30 September. The observance is fixed to the month of September, coinciding with the American rice harvest, so the dates remain the same every year.
The History of National Rice Month
National Rice Month dates back to 1991, when President George H. W. Bush signed an official proclamation designating September as National Rice Month. The observance was created in partnership with the rice industry to encourage greater use of the grain and to recognise the importance of rice to American agriculture. September was a fitting choice, falling during the harvest season when rice growers bring in their crop.
Rice itself has a long history as one of the world’s oldest cultivated grains, grown for thousands of years across Asia and later established as a major crop in the southern United States. American rice production today centres on states such as Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas, where it supports farming communities and contributes significantly to the agricultural economy.
Since the proclamation, the observance has grown into an annual tradition. In the year following the first proclamation, officials in Bolivar County marked the occasion with a rice tasting luncheon that proved so popular it became a yearly event. The USA Rice Federation continues to champion the month, promoting recipes, education, and celebration of the grain. If you enjoy marking culinary occasions, you might also like National Meal Prep Day, where rice often takes centre stage.
Fun Facts About National Rice Month
- National Rice Month was established by a presidential proclamation signed by George H. W. Bush in 1991.
- September was chosen because it coincides with the American rice harvest.
- Rice is a staple food for more than half the world’s population.
- American rice is grown in six main states, including Arkansas, which leads the nation in production.
- There are thousands of rice varieties worldwide, ranging from long-grain to short-grain, white to brown to wild.
- A rice tasting luncheon held in Bolivar County the year after the first proclamation became a lasting annual tradition.
Why National Rice Month Matters
Beyond the enjoyment of good food, National Rice Month shines attention on the farmers and communities who grow a crop that feeds much of the world. It supports American agriculture, encourages people to appreciate where their food comes from, and brings people together around a grain that features in cuisines across every continent. For something so humble, rice carries enormous cultural and economic weight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Rice Month?
National Rice Month is an annual September observance in the United States celebrating rice, the American rice harvest, and the contribution of the rice industry to the economy and food supply.
When is National Rice Month in 2026?
It runs throughout September 2026, from Tuesday, 1 September to Wednesday, 30 September.
Where can I celebrate National Rice Month?
You can celebrate anywhere, simply by cooking and enjoying rice dishes at home, hosting a rice-themed meal, or supporting American-grown rice. Rice-growing communities and the USA Rice Federation also promote events and recipes throughout the month.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share your best rice dishes on social media with #NationalRiceMonth and #NationalRiceMonth2026. Tag your friends and challenge them to cook something new with this remarkable grain!
Related Awareness Days
- National Meal Prep Day – A day dedicated to planning and preparing meals, where rice is a popular staple.
- National Orange Blossom Day – Another food-focused observance celebrating a single ingredient and its many uses.
- World Gin Day – A spirited celebration of a much-loved drink, perfect for fellow food and drink enthusiasts.
Links
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