SALT LAKE CITY, June 12, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Smithfield Foods' Helping Hungry Homes® initiative, a program focused on alleviating hunger and helping Americans become more food secure, joined forces with Smith's Food & Drug Stores to donate more than 40,000 pounds of protein to Utah Food Bank. The donation, equivalent to more than 160,000 servings, will help families fight hunger across Utah where one in eight individuals are food insecure.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e9185f6d-389b-4bf7-8974-c67db75512e0

"The significance of this donation cannot be underestimated as it helps fill an important gap in the diets of 417,000 Utahans at risk of missing a meal today by providing rarely-donated but highly nutritious meat products," said Jim Yorgason, Utah Food Bank President & CEO. "We are incredibly grateful to Smithfield Foods and Smith's Food & Drug Stores for coming together to make this possible."

Smithfield and Smith's representatives presented the donation to Utah Food Bank at the event this morning. Members from all three organizations discussed food insecurity in the local community and the significance of this donation in helping the more than 140,000 individuals who face hunger each day in the food bank's service area.

"We know hunger-relief efforts matter, so Smith's is committed to creating more meals for families by donating perishable items that are unsalable, yet still nutritious, from our stores to local food banks every day," said Marsha Gilford, Smith's Vice President of Public Affairs. "This morning, Smith's is proud to partner with Smithfield Foods to continue toward those efforts because it takes a team of community partners to fight hunger." 

Smithfield's donation to Utah Food Bank was a part of the Helping Hungry Homes® 2017 nationwide donation tour. Throughout the annual tour, Smithfield will provide large-scale protein donations to nearly 60 food banks across the country. This donation adds to the more than 65 million servings of protein donated since 2011.

"At Smithfield, we are passionate about supporting our communities in need," said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. "By providing donation to Utah Food Bank, thousands of our hungry neighbors will be able to provide their families with high-quality, nutritious protein."

Following today's event, Helping Hungry Homes® will visit Memphis, Tennessee Tuesday, June 27. For more information about Helping Hungry Homes® and a list of upcoming donation events, visit helpinghungryhomes.com.

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 Utah Food Bank
Founded in 1904, Utah Food Bank has operated under various names but remains true to its mission of Fighting Hunger Statewide by providing food to a statewide network of 141 emergency food pantries and agencies. Last fiscal year, Utah Food Bank distributed 38.1 million pounds of food and goods, the equivalent of approximately 31.8 million meals, to families and individuals in need.  For more information about Utah Food Bank, visit www.utahfoodbank.com. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UtahFoodBank and Twitter at www.twitter.com/UtahFoodBank.

About Smith's Food & Drug Stores
Today Smith's operates 140 stores in seven western states including 53 stores in Utah. Smith's charitable giving, in partnership with 18,000 associates, generous customers and suppliers, totaled $5.7 million in cash and food products to Utah organizations in 2016. Visit www.smithsfoodanddrug.com for more information.

Media Contacts:

Dalton Agency for Smithfield
Kaytee Allaben
(904) 226-9890
kallaben@daltonagency.com

Utah Food Bank
Heidi Cannella
(801) 599-6700
heidic@utahfoodbank.org

Smith's
Aubriana Martindale
(801) 974-1233
aubriana.martindale@sfdc.com