BOISE, Idaho, Sept. 18, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Last week, Smithfield Foods' Helping Hungry Homes® initiative, a program focused on alleviating hunger and helping Americans become more food secure, joined forces with Albertsons to donate nearly 40,000 pounds of protein to The Idaho Foodbank. The donation, equivalent to nearly 160,000 servings, will help those fighting hunger in Idaho, where one in seven individuals is food insecure.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9e9a36fa-8c74-4aa5-928c-b31686b6c661

"It is fitting that this generous donation comes on Hunger Action Day — a time to mobilize and take action against food insecurity," said Karen Vauk, President and CEO of The Idaho Foodbank. "We are incredibly grateful to our friends at Smithfield and Albertsons for this gift and we hope their generosity inspires others to join the movement to end hunger."

Smithfield and Albertsons representatives presented the donation to The Idaho Foodbank at an event that raised awareness of hunger's impact in the local community. Members from all three organizations discussed the significance of protein donations in helping the 23,200 individuals, including one in six children, who faces hunger each day in Idaho.

"Albertsons is proud to be part of this Helping Hungry Homes event," said Kathy Holland, communications and community relations manager, Intermountain Division at Albertsons Companies. "We're proud to join Smithfield in supporting our neighbors and know today's donation will positively impact the community in a meaningful way."

Smithfield's donation to The Idaho Foodbank was 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.

"Smithfield is honored to partner with Albertsons to present this donation to The Idaho Foodbank through our Helping Hungry Homes program," said Dennis Pittman, Smithfield senior director of hunger relief. "We hope this donation of wholesome protein to the Boise community during Hunger Action Month will inspire others to become active members in the fight against hunger."

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 The Idaho Foodbank
The Idaho Foodbank is an independent, donor-supported, nonprofit organization founded in 1984, and is the largest distributor of free food assistance in Idaho. From warehouses in Boise, Lewiston and Pocatello, the Foodbank has distributed more than 170 million pounds of food to Idaho families through a network of more than 400 community-based partners. These include schools, pantries, senior centers, feeding sites, and shelters. The Foodbank also operates direct-service programs that promote healthy families and communities through good nutrition. http://idahofoodbank.org/

About Albertsons Companies
Albertsons Companies is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States, with both a strong local presence and national scale. The company operates stores across 35 states and the District of Columbia under 19 well-known banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen and Carrs. Albertsons Companies is dedicated to helping people across the country live better lives. In 2015 alone, with the help of generous customers, Albertsons Companies and the Albertsons Companies Foundation gave more than $270 million in food and financial support to the more than 2,300 communities they serve, improving the lives of millions of people in the areas of hunger relief, education, cancer research and treatment, programs for people with disabilities, and veterans outreach. Albertsons Companies is committed to making a meaningful difference, neighborhood by neighborhood.

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