SMITHFIELD, Va., Nov. 02, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield Foods, Inc., has announced a $50,000 contribution to Growth4VA, a campaign of the Virginia Business Higher Education Council that supports reform and reinvestment in higher education excellence and workforce development in Virginia.

The contribution from Smithfield will support phase two of the Growth4VA campaign. This investment adds to the more than $100,000 contributed by Smithfield in the past several years to support the Grow by Degrees campaign and phase one of Growth4VA, both implemented by the Virginia Business Higher Education Council. The Council’s founding principle is that the prosperity of Virginia and well-being of its citizens is fundamentally tied to a strong system of colleges and universities.

“We are incredibly thankful for Smithfield’s longtime support of our continued efforts to elevate Virginia’s current standing and growth in workforce and educational opportunities,” said Donald Finley, president of Virginia Business Higher Education. “The involvement from impactful partners like Smithfield is critical to achieving these goals for advancement that we have set forth through the Growth4VA campaign. This collective effort will contribute to the future success of Virginians and lead to thriving communities across the state.”

Growth4VA is a campaign launched by the Virginia Business Higher Education Council to promote reform and reinvestment in Virginia’s top-ranked higher education system. Growth4VA is made possible by Virginia’s business community, colleges, universities, and community colleges and has been supported by Smithfield since its inception. These organizations, including Smithfield, are stepping up to help grow the Commonwealth’s economy, expand educational and job opportunities for all Virginians, and regain the state’s #1 ranking for business.

“Headquartered in Virginia, we are passionate about the vitality of our home state,” said Keira Lombardo, senior vice president of corporate affairs for Smithfield Foods. “Collaborating with community-focused partners like the Virginia Business Higher Education Council is key to our collective success across the state. We are honored to work alongside likeminded businesses and organizations to help achieve great advancements for Virginia.”

Understanding that supporting education dramatically strengthens communities, Smithfield’s participation also aligns with the company’s commitment to contribute to the vitality of the communities where its employees work, live, raise and educate their families. Founded in Smithfield, Virginia, in 1936, the company remains headquartered there and employs more than 3,000 local employees.

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, and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

About the Virginia Business Higher Education Council
The Virginia Business Higher Education Council (VBHEC) was founded in 1994 by Virginia business leaders on the principle that the prosperity of Virginia and the well-being of its citizens is fundamentally tied to access to a strong system of public colleges and universities.  A nonprofit, nonpartisan partnership between Virginia’s business community and higher education leadership, VBHEC’s mission is to enhance the performance of Virginia’s public colleges, universities, and community colleges and their funding by state government so they can produce the greatest possible positive impact on Virginia’s economy. VBHEC is committed to educating the public about higher education’s crucial role in Virginia’s economy, and it strives to secure the support needed for the Commonwealth’s colleges, universities, and community colleges to rank among the nation’s best.

Media Contact:

Lisa Martin
Smithfield Foods, Inc.
(757) 365-1980
lvmartin@smithfield.com