SALT LAKE CITY, April 10, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Smithfield Foods, Inc. joined forces with Smith's Food and Drug to donate more than 35,000 pounds of protein to Utah Food Bank. 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 143,000 servings, will help families fight hunger across Utah.

"For more than 100 years, our objective has been to serve those in need throughout our state," said Jim Yorgason, president and CEO of Utah Food Bank. "Like Smithfield, we work hand-in-hand with community partners and volunteers to make an impact, and fulfill our shared commitment to fight hunger."

Smithfield and Smith's representatives presented the donation to Utah Food Bank at an event at the food bank this morning. Members of the organizations discussed food insecurity in the local community and the significance of this donation, which will provide protein throughout the food bank's service area including 149 partner agencies located across all of Utah's 29 counties.

"At Smith's, we are dedicated to helping our communities grow and prosper," said Aubriana Martindale, corporate affairs manager for Smith's. "We are honored to stand with our allies like Smithfield and Utah Food Bank in the fight against hunger and to serve so many of our neighbors in need."

This is the 14th 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 more than 100 million servings of protein to food banks, disaster relief efforts, and community outreach programs nationwide.

Additionally, this donation aligns with Smith's visionary Zero Hunger | Zero Waste plan, aimed at ending hunger in the communities Smith's calls home. This initiative supports Smith's goal to eliminate waste across the company by 2025, and the company's Purpose to Feed the Human Spiritä.

"Smithfield is proud to fight food insecurity alongside partners like Smith's and Utah Food Bank, and further deliver on our promise to help hungry homes," said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. "We aim to eliminate hunger and provide relief to the millions who are at risk of missing a meal across the country. We're hopeful that this donation will offer a nutrient-rich meal to those in need throughout Utah."

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 Smith's Food and Drug
Smith's is a division of the Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR), one of the nation's largest retail grocers, including 56 stores in Utah. Smith's visionary Zero Hunger | Zero Waste plan is aimed at ending hunger in the communities Smith's calls home, and eliminating waste across the company by 2025, in keeping with the company's Purpose to Feed the Human Spirit. For more information, please visit www.smithsfoodandrug.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 149 emergency food pantries and agencies. Last fiscal year, Utah Food Bank distributed 39.2 million pounds of food and goods, the equivalent of approximately 32.7 million meals, to families and individuals in need.  For more information about Utah Food Bank, visit www.utahfoodbank.org. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UtahFoodBank and Twitter at www.twitter.com/UtahFoodBank.

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