MIAMI, April 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nathan's Famous, the Official Hot Dog of Major League Baseball (MLB) and of the Miami Marlins, helped spread the joy of baseball today. Nathan's Famous delivered special gifts to The Miracle League of Miami-Dade and their families before Saturday night's game at Marlins Park.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3168cbff-9aab-4fc5-bfca-e4c41672ca39

Nathan's Famous invited select youth from The Miracle League of Miami-Dade, an organization that offers special accommodations for special-needs children to play baseball, to Marlins Park and to enjoy the fun and games of its Coney-Island themed mobile unit. Prior to the start of the game, Nathan's Famous gave the children and their families free tickets to the game. Nathan's Famous then donated free hot dogs for a year along with a Publix Super Markets, Inc. $1,000 gift card for free groceries to The Miracle League of Miami-Dade.

The donation of free hot dogs and $1,000 in free groceries will help The Miracle League of Miami-Dade as they prepare to open an outdoor ballpark complex, with a custom-designed synthetic turf baseball field, for children with physical and mental challenges. Located at Tamiami Park, the facility will provide access for more than 69,000 special needs children and young adults in Miami-Dade County from Homestead to North Miami.

"We are proud to give back and support organizations that benefit our youth, especially those who have special needs," said Wayne Norbitz, Nathan's Famous executive board member and 26-year president. "Our partnership with Major League Baseball extends beyond the stadiums, but also into the communities to help keep our children active and give them a safe and fun place to enjoy the game of baseball."

The world-famous brand is a devoted sponsor of the PLAY BALL initiative, which is MLB's collective effort to encourage young people and communities to participate in baseball- or softball-related activities, including formal leagues and events as well as casual forms of play. In particular, the initiative highlights the many ways the game can be played, including activities outside of traditionally organized baseball and softball leagues and tournaments, ranging from playing catch and stickball to participating in skills competitions like "Pitch, Hit & Run."

Nathan's Famous is not only the Official Hot Dog of MLB and the Marlins, but also the New York Yankees, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, and the Official Beef Franks of the Cincinnati Reds.

Smithfield Foods is the licensee of Nathan's Famous pre-packaged hot dogs, selling a wide variety of beef franks at supermarkets across the country including natural casing, skinless, bun-length, 50 percent reduced fat, angus, and more.

About Nathan's Famous

Nathan's is a Russell 2000 Company that currently distributes its products in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and twelve foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and product licensing activities. Last year, over 550 million Nathan's Famous hot dogs were sold. Nathan's was ranked #22 on the Forbes 2014 list of the Best Small Companies in America and was listed as the Best Small Company in New York State in October 2013. For additional information about Nathan's please visit our website at www.nathansfamous.com.

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:
Jeff Dennison
Breaking Limits for Nathan's Famous
2137 South Blvd., Suite 200
Charlotte, N.C. 28203
Direct: 704-766-9061
Mobile: 704-252-3356
Email: jdennison@breakinglimits.net