Smithfield Foods Announces Multi-Million Dollar Do

SMITHFIELD, Va., Feb. 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield Foods, Inc. announced today a $3 million donation to Isle of Wight County Schools, which will fund an innovative and multifaceted educational program known as the Smithfield Foods Legacy Project. This gift fulfills the district’s capital campaign for an educational plan benefiting both Smithfield High School and Windsor High School.

“We’re incredibly grateful for Smithfield’s donation and the capital improvements it will provide to our area schools,” said Dr. Jim Thornton, superintendent of Isle of Wight County Schools. “This project will help us better train our students to think critically and collaborate effectively during their education and throughout their careers, and would not have been possible without this generous support from Smithfield Foods.”

At Smithfield High School, the donation will fund a program with on-campus facilities with resources to prepare students for their college and professional careers, and to serve as active members in their community including:

• MakerSpace, a state-of-the-art facility that gives students the opportunity to conduct research as well as design and develop products. The space will be fitted with three-dimensional printers and other emerging technologies to offer a collaborative, hands-on learning environment for students to prepare for college.
• Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) fieldhouse for Smithfield High School’s award-winning JROTC program. The new facility provides ample classroom space and equipment storage as well as room for drill and competition practice. The new facility offers JROTC participants with the resources they need to prepare for a military career.
• Multipurpose Pavilion for hosting academic ceremonies and joint school-community events. Students will be able to use the space for presentations, exhibitions and gatherings that foster community engagement.

“Whether students are continuing their education or entering the workforce, we are committed to helping them prepare for the future and make that next step a successful transition,” said Kenneth M. Sullivan, president and CEO of Smithfield Foods. “We are confident that this innovative project will lead to a life-changing experience for students as we have seen how nurturing new ideas – big and small – continues to transform Smithfield into a leading global food company.”

Innovation is a guiding principle that drives Smithfield in fulfilling its mission to produce good food the right way. The Smithfield Foods Legacy Project reflects this value as well as Smithfield’s commitment to helping communities where its employees live and work.

“Smithfield Foods has been a strong, longtime supporter of our school,” said Casey Roberts, principal of Smithfield High School. “Smithfield’s extraordinary gift brings a one-of-a-kind project to life that will help us better prepare our community’s youth for their next chapter.”

For more information about Smithfield’s commitment to its local communities, please visit smithfieldfoods.com/responsible-operations/helping-communities .

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