NORFOLK, Va., Oct. 11, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield Foods' Helping Hungry Homes® initiative, a program focused on alleviating hunger and helping Americans become more food secure, joined forces with Farm Fresh to donate more than 35,000 pounds of protein to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore. The donation, equivalent to more than 140,000 servings, will help those fighting hunger across Southeast Virginia where one in seven individuals are food insecure.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d4031c2a-4fd5-41ba-9744-6e7646b78cfd

"Each day, one in seven individuals in our service area do not know where their next meal will come from," said Ruth Jones Nichols, Ph.D., chief executive officer for Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore. "This considerable donation from Smithfield will respond to that question with high-quality protein to the many individuals in need for weeks to come."

Smithfield and Farm Fresh representatives presented the donation to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore 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 individuals who seek support from the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore and its partners each month.

"At Farm fresh, we strive to do our part to help our neighbors in need in the communities we call home," said Micky Nye, regional vice president of operations for Farm Fresh, Shoppers and Shop 'n Save East. "Today, with Smithfield, we are able to continue this support to our community members and provide protein—a critical resource in the fight against food insecurity."

Smithfield's donation to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore 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 80 million servings of protein donated since 2011.

"As we approach a much cooler season, we're honored to provide this donation of nutritious protein to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, which will help serve many warm meals to those in need," said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. "We value our role and responsibility to deliver this resource to communities in need of food assistance, to take an active role in the fight against hunger in southeastern Virginia and across our country."

Following this event, Helping Hungry Homes® will visit Lexington, KY, Tuesday, Oct. 17. 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 Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore
For over 35 years, the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore has provided over 261 million meals to those in our community who face hunger. Through our programs, facilities, and large network of community partners, we "eliminate hunger" on a daily basis for many. However, we understand that our current work addresses hunger for individuals in the short term. It does not address the root causes which force individuals to return to a food pantry again and again. This understanding has led to the creation of a new 3-year strategic plan aimed to move Hampton Roads closer to achieving the mission of eliminating hunger for those we serve — not only for the day, or for the week, but for a lifetime. For up-to-date information on the Foodbank, visit www.foodbankonline.org, Facebook, or Twitter.

About Farm Fresh Food & Pharmacy®
Farm Fresh Food & Pharmacy® was founded in 1957 as a neighborhood grocery store providing world class customer service. From the very beginning, community involvement has been an important part of Farm Fresh. Our name was even chosen from entries submitted by local residents. Today, Farm Fresh is recognized as the premier grocer in the Hampton Roads area. Farm Fresh prides itself on providing its customers with competitively-priced products, clean stores, one-stop shopping services, and a large selection of quality national and regional brands. Farm Fresh currently operates stores in Hampton Roads, Franklin and Richmond, Virginia, and Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

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