Smithfield Foods’ New Sustainability Report Highlights Environmental Achievements, Announces First Companywide Water Policy

SMITHFIELD, Va., May 09, 2017 -- Today, Smithfield Foods, Inc. announced the release of the second installment of its 16^th annual Sustainability Report. The Environment section highlights Smithfield’s environmental leadership in key areas, which includes continuing reductions in natural resource demands and the addition of many environmental projects improving business performance and supply chain efficiency.

Smithfield Foods’ New Sustainability Report Highlights Environmental Achievements, Announces First Companywide Water Policy

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1ad57dcd-c9ee-4822-b353-0df07f69dfbc

“As a global food producer, we embrace our unique responsibility to drive positive change across our industry while improving our operating efficiencies and adding new value to our own supply chain,” said Stewart Leeth, vice president of regulatory affairs and chief sustainability officer for Smithfield Foods. ”Years ago we were the first in our industry to achieve ISO 14001 environmental certification for all of our farms and processing facilities worldwide, and I am pleased that our leadership continues to accelerate with our recent greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction commitment.”  

The report provides detailed information about Smithfield’s leading environmental programs and initiatives, such as:

• The company’s new commitment – another industry first – to reduce GHGs 25 percent by 2025 throughout its entire supply chain, from feed grain to packaged bacon.
  
  
• A first-of-its-kind manure-to-energy project to harvest biogas from manure lagoons with the potential to produce about 2.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas, enough to power nearly 53,500 homes for an entire year.
  
  
• The addition of two zero-waste-to-landfill facilities, bringing the total to eight companywide.
  
  
• Energy intensity reduced by 14.5 percent from a 2014 baseline, among other natural resource demand reductions.
  
  
• The company’s adoption of its first written Water Policy, noting its commitment to protecting water quality and conservation across all its operations as well as cooperation with regulatory agencies to manage water resources.
  
  
• 69 third-party awards for companywide 2016 environmental sustainability achievements from organizations including the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and the North American Meat Institute (NAMI).

"Smithfield's environmental initiatives have long been the backbone of our sustainability program, and continue to set us apart from our peers," said Kenneth M. Sullivan, president and chief executive officer for Smithfield Foods. "Our diligence in this area allows us to be a supplier of choice to our customers, and to continue to produce good food the right way."

The Environment section is the second of a multiphase release of Smithfield’s 2016 Sustainability Report, a report published annually since 2001. The goal of the multiphase release is to better engage a broad range of stakeholders by delivering information in a more accessible way. Following the Animal Care and Environment sections, Smithfield will publish its Food Safety and Quality, Helping Communities, and People sections in succession.

To view an introductory video about Smithfield’s commitment to the Environment, click here. The report’s Environment section is now available at smithfieldfoods.com/environment.

About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $14 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield^®, Eckrich^®, Nathan's Famous^®, Farmland^®, Armour^®, John Morrell^®, Cook's^®, Kretschmar^®, Gwaltney^®, Curly's^®, Margherita^®, Carando^®, Healthy Ones^®, Krakus^®, Morliny^®, and Berlinki^®. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com.

Contact:
Kathleen Kirkham
Smithfield Foods, Inc.
(757) 365-1965
[email protected]