Farmers Rice Milling Co. Partners with National Distributor Ben E. Keith®
As Farmers Rice Milling Co. continues to grow its presence in the domestic food service market, we’re thrilled to announce a new distribution partnership with Ben E. Keith Foods, one of the nation’s leading foodservice distributors. Known for their deep roots in the Southern U.S. and a strong legacy of serving independent restaurants and institutions, Ben E. Keith is a perfect fit for Farmers’ continued expansion in the US.
This new relationship opens the door for Farmers to bring our premium American-grown rice products to even more restaurants, hospitality groups, and healthcare operations across the South—and beyond.
A Regional Leader with National Reach
Founded in 1906, Ben E. Keith has grown to become the eighth-largest broadline food distributor in the country, with a distribution footprint that spans the Southwest, South, and Midwest. With a reputation built on integrity, service, and longstanding relationships with the foodservice community, they’ve been a go-to supplier for thousands of businesses for over a century.
“Ben E. Keith has always been about supporting restaurants and institutions with products they can trust,” says Marcus Suiter, Director of U.S. Sales for Farmers Rice Milling Co. “We’re honored to partner with a company that shares our values—family-owned, integrity-driven, and deeply connected to the communities they serve.”
Growing Our Domestic Footprint
Until recently, Farmers Rice Milling Co. was best known as one of the largest rice exporters around the world. But over the past year, we’ve expanded our focus to include branded domestic offerings, starting with a successful launch with our first national distributor, US Foods. That partnership introduced Farmers Rice to chefs and foodservice operators across the Gulf States—and proved that there is strong demand for premium, Louisiana-grown rice across the U.S.
With the addition of Ben E. Keith, Farmers is taking another big step in building out a strategic network of distribution partners to make our product more accessible than ever before.
“Our goal is to give restaurants the flexibility to buy the products they want through the distributors they already trust,” says Marcus. “Adding Ben E. Keith to our network increases our reach, especially in Southern states where our rice is a natural fit on the menu.”
Supporting Local Farmers & U.S. Agriculture
This partnership isn’t just about expansion—it’s about impact. Farmers Rice Milling Co. is the single largest agricultural business in Southwest Louisiana and a major buyer of rice grown throughout the state and beyond. Every new distributor we partner with helps create more demand for U.S.-grown rice, supporting farmers, rural economies, and American agriculture as a whole.
“When restaurants buy Farmers Rice through Ben E. Keith, they’re not just getting a great product at a competitive price,” says Marcus. “They’re supporting U.S. rice farmers, helping us grow jobs in Louisiana, and investing in a supply chain that’s rooted right here in America.”
Designed for Food Service
One of the most exciting parts of this expansion is that Farmers Rice is now available in our own branded packaging, designed specifically for food service operators. Whether a restaurant uses Ben E. Keith exclusively or in combination with other distributors, they now have easy access to a premium rice option with competitive pricing and proven quality.
In fact, we’ve seen tremendous enthusiasm in early markets—especially in Louisiana and the Gulf region—where restaurant owners and chefs are eager to support a local product that’s been around for generations.
“Restaurants want high-quality ingredients, but pricing matters too—especially in today’s economy,” says Marcus. “We’re proud to offer a product that’s affordable, reliable, and grown right here at home.”
Looking Ahead
This partnership with Ben E. Keith is part of a bigger vision. With a dedicated business development team focused on foodservice growth, Farmers Rice is actively building a distribution network that will support national expansion. And we’re just getting started.
“We launched our first domestic distributor partnership in 2024, and now with Ben E. Keith and others onboard, we’re continuing to build a strong foundation for long-term success,” says Mark Suiter, CEO of FRM Co. “We’re excited to keep growing—with more strategic partnership announcements coming soon, including in the retail sector.”
At Farmers Rice Milling Co., we believe great food starts with great ingredients—and we’re proud to deliver just that to foodservice kitchens across the country. With Ben E. Keith as a trusted partner, we’re bringing Louisiana-grown rice with over a century of heritage to even more tables—and that’s something worth celebrating.
For more information about Farmers Rice visit https://farmersriceco.com. For more information about Farmer’s Rice Milling Co. visit frmco.com.