OMAHA, Neb., Feb. 14, 2018 -- Smithfield Foods, Inc. joined forces with Fareway to donate more than 41,000 pounds of protein to Food Bank for the Heartland. Smithfield’s contribution was part of the company’s 2018 Helping Hungry Homes® donation tour. Now in the program’s 10th year, Helping Hungry Homes® is Smithfield’s signature hunger-relief initiative focused on alleviating hunger and helping Americans become more food secure. The donation, equivalent to more than 164,000 servings, will help families fight hunger across Nebraska and western Iowa.
 
“Organizations and companies like Smithfield and Fareway help greatly to support our vision of eliminating hunger in our community,” said Susan Ogborn, president and CEO of Food Bank for the Heartland. “Protein is an essential item to a well-balanced meal and is notoriously difficult for food banks to acquire. We are grateful for this large-scale donation of nutrient-rich protein, which will go a long way in helping the thousands we serve become more food secure.”
 
This significant donation provided by Smithfield and Fareway will provide protein to much of the Food Bank for the Heartland’s expansive service area, which includes nearly 220,000 individuals in 77 counties in Nebraska and 16 counties in western Iowa who face hunger each day.
 
“At Fareway, we continuously seek out opportunities to support the communities we serve,” said Reynolds W. Cramer, CEO of Fareway Stores, Inc. “We are honored to join Smithfield to deliver this donation of wholesome, meal-completing protein, to the many in need who the food bank provides for each day.”
 
This is the third large-scale protein donation made by Smithfield to food banks across the country during its 2018 Helping Hungry Homes® tour. Since the program’s inception in 2008, Smithfield has provided nearly 100 million servings of protein to food banks, disaster relief efforts, and community outreach programs nationwide.
 
"As a food company, we understand the importance of proper nutrition and value our responsibility to assist individuals facing food insecurity throughout our country," said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. “Our hope is to alleviate hunger across America and we’re proud to provide this donation of nutrient-rich protein to Food Bank for the Heartland as we continue our cause across the country.”
 
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®, Farmer John®, Kretschmar®, John Morrell®, Cook's®, Gwaltney®, Carando®, Margherita®, Curly's®, Healthy Ones®, Morliny®, Krakus® 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 Food Bank for the Heartland (a member of Feeding America):
Food Bank for the Heartland is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Omaha, Nebraska that acts as a central clearinghouse distributing food to more than 530 network partners across 77 counties in Nebraska and 16 counties in western Iowa. Food Bank for the Heartland has distributed 22 million meals in FY 2017 helping thousands of children, families, seniors, veterans, disabled individuals and others in need. For more information, visit www.FoodBankHeartland.org.
 
About Fareway Stores, Inc.
Fareway Stores, Inc. is a Midwest grocery company currently operating 120 store locations in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Fareway holds family values in the highest regard, demonstrating integrity, fairness, and honesty in relationships with customers, employees, vendors, and suppliers. Visit Fareway.com for more information. 
 

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