Company Applauds Employee Dedication and Perseverance in North Carolina
SMITHFIELD, Va., Oct. 19, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, all Smithfield Foods processing facilities and farms in North Carolina have returned to normal operations, and while floodwaters reached lagoons on three Smithfield contract farms following the historic flooding caused by Hurricane Matthew, there continues to be no report of lagoon breaches or failures on the company’s company-owned or contract farms as a result of this flooding. The storm brought flood levels unseen in nearly 500 years, unmatched transportation challenges including a 10-day closure of both Interstate 95 and Interstate 40, and widespread devastation to communities across the eastern half of the state.
We are deeply grateful to our more than 10,000 employees across North Carolina who have been affected by this disaster but have remained committed to our operations, customers and consumers. We’ve provided warm meals, transportation, and activated our Employee Assistance Program to assist employees. Smithfield’s EAP provides support to employees and their families during challenging times and includes services such as counseling sessions, legal consultations, family and caregiver assistance as well as other resources.
“The effects of this storm were severe, and I could not be more proud of our North Carolina employees and their response in the face of adversity,” said Kenneth M. Sullivan, Smithfield’s president and chief executive officer . “I am thankful to be a part of the Smithfield family, and proud that we are able to provide support to the entire area as they begin to pick up the pieces.”
Through our Helping Hungry Homes® hunger-relief initiative, we have provided more than 75,000 pounds of protein to local food banks and will continue to provide additional protein to other affected areas in the coming weeks. Beyond food donations, we have also pledged to provide $25,000 to the American Red Cross in North Carolina to further support our employees and communities during this challenging time and throughout the recovery.
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
