Smithfield Foods Supports Mobile Food Pantry for Virginia Veterans

SMITHFIELD, Va., Sept. 28, 2017 -- Smithfield Foods has joined forces with the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank to support its Mobile Food Pantry program at the Hampton VA Medical Center in Hampton Roads, Virginia. The global food company presented a $50,000 donation to the local foodbank at the mobile pantry site, where company employees volunteered to distribute fresh produce, meat and other food items to veterans and their families.

Pictured are Stewart Leeth, Chief Sustainability Officer and VP of Regulatory Affairs at Smithfield Foods, Karen Joyner, chief executive officer at Virginia Peninsula Foodbank, Michele Benson, Chief Development Officer at Virginia Peninsula Foodbank and Smithfield Foods employees.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1afe2c07-6995-498e-919b-ab30ef51c197

“Across the country, nearly three million veterans and their families don't have enough to eat each month,” said Michele Benson, chief development officer for Virginia Peninsula Foodbank. “We’re tremendously thankful for Smithfield’s generous donation and the positive impact it will make combatting hunger among veterans here in Virginia.”

The Foodbank’s Mobile Pantry Program delivers and distributes fresh, healthy food directly into communities and neighborhoods. Each month, the mobile pantry unit, sponsored by Smithfield Foods, will visit the Hampton VA Medical Center. Company volunteers who are part of Smithfield Salutes, an employee resource group developed to support veteran employees in their Smithfield careers as well as employees wishing to support veteran causes, volunteered at this month’s event.

Smithfield’s support of this program aligns with its social purpose to improve food insecurity and end hunger. It also aligns with the company’s philanthropic efforts, which includes supporting hunger-relief and veterans’ causes among other areas of focus.

"Great sacrifices have been made by those who have served and access to a healthy meal should never be one of them,” said Dennis Treacy, president of the Smithfield Foundation. “We are honored to support this program and the nutrition it provides to veterans and their loved ones.”

This Mobile Food Pantry Program event occurs on the fourth Thursday of every month from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the VA Medical Center in Hampton, Virginia. Any veteran seeking food assistance is welcome to attend and receive nutritious meal components that will lead to a healthier lifestyle. For more information, please contact the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank at (757) 596-7188.

About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $15 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.

About Virginia Peninsula Foodbank
Since 1986, the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank has been providing hunger relief to the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, and Williamsburg, and the counties of James City, Gloucester, Mathews, Surry, and York.  With the support of over 170 member agencies and programs, the organization has provided over 147 million meals.  The Foodbank is a proud member of Feeding America, the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, and the United Way of the Virginia Peninsula.  Our vision is to inspire hope by leading the effort for a hunger free and properly nourished community.  For more information, visit us online at our website, on Facebook, and on Twitter.

Contact:

Kathleen Kirkham

Smithfield Foods, Inc.

(757) 365-1965

[email protected]