SMITHFIELD, Va., Aug. 11, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Smithfield Foods, Inc. announced the full release of its 2015 Sustainability & Financial Report . The release marks the final installation of the 2015 report, which was prepared in accordance with the core option of the G4 Guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative.
For the first time, Smithfield published its 15 th annual sustainability report in segments organized by pillar of the company’s robust program. The goal of the multiphase release was to better engage a broad range of stakeholders by delivering information in a more accessible, meaningful way while enhancing transparency. Over a period of several weeks this summer, Smithfield published the Animal Care, Environment, Food Safety & Quality, Helping Communities and People sessions in succession.
Additional sections now available include Governance & Management, International Operations and Value Creation, along with key metrics measuring the company’s sustainability performance. Together, the newly issued sections demonstrate how the company’s sustainability programs create value for the company and its stakeholders.
“At Smithfield, we understand that financial stability and sustainability efforts go hand-in-hand,” said Stewart Leeth, vice president of regulatory affairs and chief sustainability officer for Smithfield Foods. “By leveraging our vertically integrated business model, our sustainability efforts drive efficiency throughout our operations and yield benefits all along our supply chain.”
Notable highlights from the report include:
- First in the industry to provide a clear, practical definition of ‘prevention’ as it relates to antibiotics use in farm animals, part of the company’s refined and increased reporting in this area.
- First pork company to publish an ingredient glossary, an online resource that lists and describes ingredients used in products across the company’s brands.
- Achieved and made significant progress in natural resource reduction targets including meeting its normalized greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goal and nearly meeting its energy use reduction target four years ahead of its 2020 deadline.
- Increased charitable giving by 30 percent over the previous year to $27.1 million.
- Launched new employee engagement programs and reinvigorating employee resource groups.
- Continued proven track record of employee safety with injury rates below the national average across all industries.
“Smithfield continues to lead the industry in sustainability, and I am proud that we have made such significant progress toward our sustainability goals and targets, even achieving some goals years ahead of schedule,” said Ken Sullivan, president and chief executive officer for Smithfield Foods. “These achievements positively impact our business, advance the industry and better position our company as a global food producer and leading consumer packaged goods company.”
The full report is now available at www.smithfieldfoods.com/2015report .
About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $14 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 .
Contact: Kathleen Kirkham Smithfield Foods, Inc. (757) 365-1965 kkirkham@smithfield.com
