RICHMOND, Va., April 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In celebration of the spring TOYOTA OWNERS 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup race, Smithfield Foods, Inc., and Kroger joined forces at Richmond Raceway over the weekend to donate more than 40,000 pounds of protein to FeedMore, Central Virginia's core hunger-relief organization. Assisting with the donation was Aric Almirola, driver of the No. 10 Smithfield Ford Fusion for Stewart-Haas Racing in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

Smithfield's contribution is part of the company's 2018 Helping Hungry Homes® 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. Smithfield's donation, equivalent to more than 161,000 servings of protein, will help individuals in need across Central Virginia.

"At FeedMore, we are able to continue to provide nourishment to our neighbors in need through our valued relationships with generous partners like Smithfield," said Tim McDermott, chief development officer for FeedMore. "Through this significant donation of protein from Smithfield, we will be able to distribute healthy meals to families that sometimes struggle to put food on the table across the 34 counties and cities in Central Virginia that we serve."

Smithfield, Kroger, and Stewart-Haas Racing representatives presented the donation to FeedMore during the annual Track Takeover Driven by AAA spring fan event at the Richmond Raceway this weekend. Members of all three organizations discussed food insecurity in the local community and the significance of this donation. The donation will provide protein to much of FeedMore's service area, which includes more than 200,000 individuals who face hunger each day.

"Kroger and Smithfield continue to drive ‘Zero Hunger, Zero Waste' through our combined efforts to eliminate hunger," said Allison McGee, corporate affairs manager for Kroger's Mid-Atlantic Division. "At Kroger, we are passionate about providing nutritious food. We understand that wholesome meals matter, and are the centerpiece to making a positive impact for families and individuals in need."

This is the 16th 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 Kroger's visionary Zero Hunger | Zero Waste plan, aimed at ending hunger in the communities Kroger calls home. This initiative supports Kroger's goal to eliminate waste across the company by 2025, and the company's Purpose to Feed the Human Spirit™.

"It's an honor to join Smithfield again on the road to end hunger and provide relief to those who need it most," said Almirola. "Taking part in Smithfield's Helping Hungry Homes® program is a great privilege, and we are hopeful that this donation of nutritious products will fill the plates of families, neighbors, and friends for weeks to come."

"At Smithfield, we take great pride in our responsibility to help alleviate hunger, especially within the communities we call home," said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. "We are proud to partner again with Kroger and provide FeedMore with a donation of wholesome protein to the many in need that the food bank serves within our home state."

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 Kroger
Every day, the Kroger Family of Companies makes a difference in the lives of eight and a half million customers and 443,000 associates who shop or serve in 2,796 retail food stores under a variety of local banner names in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Kroger and its subsidiaries operate an expanding ClickList offering — a personalized, order online, pick up at the store service — in addition to our 2,255 pharmacies, 784 convenience stores, 319 fine jewelry stores, 220 retail health clinics, 1,445 supermarket fuel centers and 38 food production plants in the United States. Kroger is recognized as one of America's most generous companies for its support of more than 100 Feeding America food bank partners, breast cancer research and awareness, the military and their families, and more than 145,000 community organizations including schools. A leader in supplier diversity, Kroger is a proud member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable. For more information, visit thekrogerco.com.

About FeedMore 
FeedMore is Central Virginia's core hunger-relief organization dedicated to providing neighbors in need with healthy meals and hope for a better tomorrow. With a service area that stretches across 34 cities and counties, FeedMore helps the more than 200,000 children, families and seniors in Central Virginia who struggle with hunger. Working to efficiently and effectively fight hunger, FeedMore's multi-tiered approach, comprehensive programs and network of nearly 300 partner agencies are dedicated to providing neighbors who face hunger with one of the most basic necessities: nourishment. For additional information, please visit FeedMore.org, find us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

About Richmond Raceway
Richmond Raceway, known as America's Premier Short Track, offers great racing action and a commitment to the fan experience. One of the most popular facilities among drivers and fans in all of motorsports, Richmond Raceway annually hosts two NASCAR doubleheader weekends, featuring the NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series, on a ¾-mile D-Shaped oval. The unique layout traditionally produces exciting side-by-side racing, yet drivers reach high enough speeds for a superspeedway feel.

About Stewart-Haas Racing:
Stewart-Haas Racing is the title-winning NASCAR team co-owned by three-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Tony Stewart and Gene Haas, founder of Haas Automation — the largest CNC machine tool builder in North America. The organization fields four entries in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series — the No. 4 Ford Fusion for Kevin Harvick, the No. 10 Ford Fusion for Aric Almirola, the No. 14 Ford Fusion for Clint Bowyer and the No. 41 Ford Fusion for Kurt Busch. The team also competes in the NASCAR XFINITY Series by fielding a full-time entry — the No. 00 Ford Mustang for Cole Custer — and one part-time entry — the No. 98 Ford Mustang. Based in Kannapolis, North Carolina, Stewart-Haas Racing operates out of a 200,000-square-foot facility with nearly 370 employees. For more information, please visit us online at www.StewartHaasRacing.com, on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/StewartHaasRacing, on Twitter @StewartHaasRcng and on Instagram @StewartHaasRacing.

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