KPLC
LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - The port of Lake Charles is moving Louisiana rice to help feed areas of Central Africa that are in need.
Crews at the port have been packing bags of rice, weighing 110 pounds each, into the Tao Star cargo ship that will sail across the Atlantic to help some of the African countries facing conflict. More than 19,000 tons of rice are being shipped to Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic and Cameroon.
“Uhm, 19,356 tons of rice - .all the rice is locally grown, milled, and transported and will be loaded by Louisiana companies and workers,” said Therrance Chretien, director of cargo and trade development for the Port of Lake Charles.
This shipment is part of the World Food Program for a $55 million contract to help people in the conflict-ridden Sahel region of Africa.