RALEIGH, N.C., Nov. 27, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield Foods joined forces with Kroger to donate more than 25,000 pounds of protein to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina (the Food Bank). The donation was part of Smithfield's Helping Hungry Homes® initiative, a program focused on alleviating hunger and helping Americans become more food secure. Smithfield's contribution, equivalent to more than 100,000 servings, will help those fighting hunger in central and eastern North Carolina, where one in six individuals is food insecure.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/10874f81-d500-405f-9b74-bfa3abbdbd17

"We are continually thankful for Smithfield's significant donations, especially during the holiday season when many meals are made around protein items," said Peter Werbicki, president and CEO of the Food Bank. "Smithfield's support continues to help us fight hunger for the individuals we serve. This donation specifically will provide nutrient-rich protein to those in need within our Raleigh branch's 34-county service area."

Smithfield and Kroger representatives presented the donation to the Food Bank 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 268,650 individuals, including 92,020 children, who face hunger each day in the service area of the Raleigh branch.

"At Kroger, it's our privilege to partner with both Smithfield and the Food Bank, who share our common goal of ending hunger in our communities," said Christian Rodgers, spokesperson for Kroger. "We're on a mission to end hunger in the communities we call home, and partners like Smithfield help bring us one donation closer to doing so." 

Throughout its 2017 Helping Hungry Homes® tour, Smithfield will make large-scale protein donations to more than 60 food banks across the country. Since 2011, Smithfield has provided more than 80 million servings of protein to hunger relief organizations through this initiative.

"As a global food company, we take pride in our responsibility to provide resources to those in need through our Helping Hungry Homes program," said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. "Smithfield is proud to partner with Kroger to present this donation to the Food Bank and thousands of our neighbors in need."

For more information about Smithfield Foods' Helping Hungry Homes® initiative 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 Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina 
The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina is a nonprofit organization that has provided food for people at risk of hunger in 34 counties in central and eastern North Carolina for more than 30 years. The Food Bank serves a network of more than 800 partner agencies such as soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, and programs for children and adults through warehouses in Durham, Greenville, New Bern, Raleigh, the Sandhills (Southern Pines), and Wilmington. In fiscal year 2016-2017, the Food Bank distributed more than 70 million pounds of food (60% of which was perishable) and non-food essentials through these agencies. Sadly, hunger remains a serious problem in central and eastern North Carolina. In these counties, more than 600,000 people struggle to access nutritious and adequate amounts of food necessary for an active and healthy life. foodbankcenc.org. 

About Kroger's Mid-Atlantic Division:
The Mid-Atlantic Division operates 122 stores, 119 pharmacies and 93 fuel centers in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio.  Headquartered in Roanoke, the Mid-Atlantic Division is dedicated to making a difference in the communities it serves by supporting hunger relief, women's health, our troops and their families, and local schools and grassroots organizations.  Kroger is also a strong supporter of the Salvation Army, American Red Cross and organizations that promote the advancement of women and minorities. Fortune magazine named Kroger the "most generous company in America" and The Reputation Institute ranked Kroger among the Top 100 of America's Most Reputable Companies.  For more information, visit www.kroger.com.

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