Smithfield Helping Hungry Homes Program Pledges to Provide More Than Three Million Servings of Protein Through 2016 Donation Tour

SMITHFIELD, Va., March 23, 2016 -- Smithfield is excited to announce its 2016 nationwide hunger-relief tour as part of the company’s Helping Hungry Homes program. This tour will include more than 30 large-scale protein donations to food banks across the United States totaling more than 3.4 million servings. Through this tour, Smithfield hopes to provide wholesome food to millions of Americans struggling with hunger every day.

The Smithfield Helping Hungry Homes truck will travel coast-to-coast this year to deliver much-needed protein to food banks across the United States.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d50db089-ae1f-4cbe-9a6c-4bd531488c5b

“To say that someone is ‘food insecure’ means that person does not know where his or her next meal is coming from. As a food company, it is our responsibility to help our neighbors in need. We founded the Smithfield Helping Hungry Homes program in 2008, and have since donated more than 37 million servings of protein,” said Dennis Pittman, Smithfield Senior Director of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs. “This year, we’re going coast-to-coast with more than 30 stops in between to continue supporting the fight against hunger, and make people aware that food insecurity is a significant problem nationwide. We salute the food banks across the country, and encourage individuals and corporations alike to get involved and support your local communities.”

Throughout this year’s Helping Hungry Homes tour, Smithfield will partner with local food banks and retailers, as well as national and local celebrities, to deliver these donations. Today, Smithfield kicked off the tour in Los Angeles alongside celebrity chef Ingrid Hoffmann by providing 50,000 pounds of protein to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. This donation will provide more than 200,000 servings to families and individuals in the surrounding areas.

“Donations like this provide significant support to our mission to fight hunger in our community” said Michael Flood, CEO of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. “We’re grateful for partners like Smithfield whose contributions greatly help those who struggle with hunger.”

More than 35 million Americans suffer from food insecurity. Smithfield has a long history of stocking food banks, supporting after-school nutrition programs, and providing food relief in the wake of natural disasters. In 2008, Smithfield established its Helping Hungry Homes initiative to support the fight against hunger across the country, and has since donated more than 37 million servings of protein to food banks across America.

About Smithfield
A leading provider of high-quality pork products, Smithfield was founded in 1936 in Smithfield, Virginia, establishing the town as the “Ham Capital of the World.” From hand-trimmed bacon and slow-smoked holiday hams to marinated tenderloins, Smithfield brings artistry, authenticity and a commitment to heritage, flavor, and handcrafted excellence to everything it produces. With a vast product portfolio including smoked meats, hams, bacon, sausage, ribs, and a wide variety of fresh pork cuts, the company services retail, foodservice, and deli channels across the United States and 30 countries abroad. All of Smithfield's products meet the highest quality and safety standards in the industry. To learn more about how Flavor Hails from Smithfield, please visit www.Smithfield.com, www.Twitter.com/SmithfieldBrand, and www.Facebook.com/CookingWithSmithfield. Smithfield is a brand of Smithfield Foods.

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®, Farmland®, Armour®, Cook's®, John Morrell®, Gwaltney®, Nathan's Famous®, Kretschmar®, Margherita®, Curly's®, Carando® and Healthy Ones®. 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.

Media Contact: Melody Palatucci
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