Statement by Smithfield Foods Regarding North Carolina Lawsuit Appeal

A panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, comprised of Judge G. Steven Agee, Judge Stephanie D. Thacker and Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III, heard oral argument in the company’s appeal of the first of a series of trials in the North Carolina hog farm nuisance litigation. These lawsuits threaten animal agriculture, rural North Carolina’s economy and the thousands of hard-working farmers who own and operate family farms in full compliance with federal, state and local regulations.

“This suit is the tip of a spear aimed at North Carolina’s agricultural economy,” the company’s appeal brief says. “…A great deal depends on the outcome of these...

Smithfield Foods Statement Regarding Shooting at Tar Heel Processing Facility

Smithfield Foods, Inc. issued the following statement regarding a shooting at its Tar Heel, North Carolina, processing facility early this morning:

“We are shocked and saddened by the senseless shooting that took place at our Tar Heel, North Carolina, processing facility overnight. Our thoughts and prayers are with our two Smithfield Family members who suffered serious injuries and were taken by life flight to hospitals, their families and loved ones,” said Keira Lombardo, an executive vice president for Smithfield Foods.

She continued, “The safety and security of our employees is our...

Dominion Energy and Smithfield Foods Invest to Become Largest Renewable Natural Gas Supplier in U.S.

Dominion Energy and Smithfield Foods, Inc. announced today the companies are doubling their investment in renewable natural gas (RNG) projects across the U.S. to $500 million through 2028. This additional investment will expand their Align Renewable Natural GasSM joint venture beyond its initial projects in North Carolina, Virginia and Utah, to pursue new projects across the country, including in Arizona and California.

Dominion Energy and Smithfield Foods formed Align RNG in November 2018, committing $250 million over 10 years to capture methane from Smithfield’s company-owned and contract hog farms and convert it into clean RNG. With the additional...

Industry Prepares for Hurricane Dorian 

Hurricane Dorian has devastated the Bahamas, and is now regaining strength as the storm is coming up the U.S. Atlantic coast. The storm may make landfall later today in South Carolina. Record storm surge potentially reaching a height of 8 feet and wind gusts of up to 58 mph are expected to reach South Carolina, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. The USDA sent out a reminder that assistance is available in the wake of disasters, and has partnered with FEMA to help those in need recover. The USDA advised to protect livestock, plan for an evacuation in case necessary, but if it is not feasible to relocate livestock, provide shelter with adequate food and water until it is safe to return.

Smithfield Foods shared that the company is fully prepared for the potential impact of Hurricane Dorian, specifically the Carolinas and Virginia. Smithfield has multiple operations, both facilities and farms, and more than...

Smithfield Foods Launches Plant-Based Protein Portfolio Under Pure Farmland Brand

Smithfield Foods, Inc. today announced that it is launching a plant-based protein portfolio under the company’s Pure Farmland brand. The new line comes in a variety of breakfast patties, meatballs, burger patties, and pre-seasoned protein starters to help consumers grow their plant-based protein options for all meal occasions, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and appetizers.

The brand-new Pure Farmland soy-based line features eight fresh, versatile, juicy, and flavorful products. Proudly crafted in the USA, all items are made with natural flavors, are gluten and dairy free, and serve as a good source of protein. Given that soy is a complete protein, it provides levels of all essential...

Smithfield Foods Donates More Than 50,000 Pounds Of Protein To Central Illinois Foodbank

Smithfield Foods, Inc. donated more than 50,000 pounds of protein to Central Illinois Foodbank. Smithfield’s contribution is part of the company’s 2019 Helping Hungry Homes® donation tour, Smithfield’s signature hunger-relief initiative focused on alleviating hunger and helping Americans become more food secure. The donation, equivalent to more than 200,000 servings of protein, will help families fight hunger across the state.

“Central Illinois Foodbank aims to provide food and develop awareness of and creative solutions for food insecurity throughout our 21-county service area..."

Smithfield Foods Marches Forward with Renewable Energy Projects

Smithfield Foods, Inc. is pleased to announce the construction of new biogas gathering systems in Missouri and Utah, which bring the company steps closer to delivering renewable natural gas (RNG) to communities in multiple states using manure from its hog farms. Detailed in its recently released Sustainability Report, Smithfield’s “manure-to-energy” projects are part of Smithfield Renewables, the company’s platform that unifies and accelerates its renewable energy efforts to help meet its goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 25% by 2025.

“By finding innovative ways to reduce GHG emissions and use existing resources to power our planet, we are playing a critical role in providing consumers with nutritious food, as well as...

Senators Raise Concerns that USDA Trade Aid will Continue to Benefit Foreign Corporations

Nine U.S. Senators, led by Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry, today raised concerns that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will continue to allow foreign companies to profit from the Trump Administration’s plan to assist American farmers affected by their trade policies.

Last week, the Administration announced it would provide up to $1.4 billion to purchase commodities targeted by retaliatory tariffs. In the previous round of aid, lucrative purchasing contracts were awarded to several foreign entities, including nearly $62.5 million in pork products from JBS USA, which is owned by Brazilian parent company JBS SA.

“…It is counterproductive and contradictory for these companies to receive assistance paid for with U.S. taxpayer dollars intended to help American farmers struggling with this Administration’s trade policy,” the Senators wrote...

Tyson says Hog Disease Impact to Linger for Years

Global meat prices are poised to rise after China culled tens of millions of hogs to contain a fast-spreading swine disease, the chief executive of Tyson Foods Inc. said.

The top U.S. meat processing company already is paying higher prices for U.S. hogs and other meat as Chinese buyers crank up purchases, Tyson executives said Monday. In the months ahead, Tyson anticipates higher meat costs for consumers, as well as stronger profits in its own pork, beef and chicken-processing operations.

Noel White, CEO of the Arkansas-based company, said the potential impact of the past year's African swine fever outbreaks was unprecedented, and could lower global meat supplies by 5% at a time when protein consumption is on the rise world-wide...

Smithfield Foods Brands Company’s Foodservice Business as “Smithfield Culinary”

Smithfield Foods, Inc. today announced the introduction of Smithfield Culinary, a new branding of the company’s foodservice portfolio. Smithfield Culinary – historically recognized as Smithfield Farmland – leverages the corporation’s position as the world’s largest pork processor and industry leader in sustainability, and highlights the involvement and leadership that it has within the culinary community.

Throughout the last several years, Smithfield has experienced significant growth of the company’s foodservice business, prompting the decision to create a dedicated branding that represents all of the company’s culinary-focused initiatives. From establishing chef advisory boards and forming product innovation labs, to partnering with leading culinary schools, Smithfield Culinary has evolved from simply selling products to positioning culinary arts as a key cornerstone of its business model.

“Our company – a leader in pork, value-added protein specialties, and now culinary arts – is driven by those who have a passion for great food blended with insights and ...

Smithfield Foods Achieves Industry-Leading Environmental Commitment

Smithfield Foods, Inc. is pleased to announce that it has successfully engaged 80 percent of its grain supply chain, which is used to feed the company’s hogs, in farming practices that are both sustainable and reduce the cost of production for grain farmers. This exceeded the company’s original goal of 75 percent. In 2018, Smithfield purchased grain from producers who use efficient fertilizer and soil health methods across approximately 560,000 acres of land.

Grain production is the first step in the vertically integrated company’s supply chain, making this accomplishment one of the key ways Smithfield is working toward its ambitious goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 25 percent by 2025 throughout its entire supply chain – the first commitment of its kind from a protein company.

“This accomplishment is a significant milestone in our company’s holistic approach to reducing carbon emissions across our entire supply chain ...