UFCW Sioux Falls Union Votes to Authorize Strike Against Smithfield

The Sioux Falls chapter of the United Food and Commercial Workers union has authorized a strike at the Smithfield Foods pork processing plant in South Dakota. The union met with company representatives Tuesday and said they hope to avoid a work stoppage.

The union is demanding that Smithfield increases its wages. UFCW Local 304A President B.J. Motley explained "We feel that during a pandemic year and after calling Smithfield workers heroes for coming to work on a daily basis to feed America, they haven't shown that appreciation at all during negotiations."

No deadline has been set yet for when a strike could happen. Hog slaughter operations are expected to...

Smithfield Foods Expands Sustainability Program in New Report

In addition to its industry-leading greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction commitment to become carbon negative in all U.S. company-owned operations by 2030, Smithfield Foods, Inc. today announced it will reduce GHG emissions across its entire domestic supply chain 30 percent by 2030. This new goal builds on the company's prior pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across its domestic supply chain 25 percent by 2025. Smithfield also announced that it will obtain 50 percent of its electricity from...

A Look at the Role of Automation and A.I. in Protein Processing

A recent report from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) highlights why agribusiness companies should implement automation and artificial intelligence (AI) into their businesses as COVID-19, labor costs and other challenges impact the sector.

Authors from BCG, Decker Walker, head of agribusiness at Boston Consulting Group, Jonathan Van Wyck, member of the Industrial Goods practice at Boston Consulting Group, Helena Nannes, Project Leader and David Pérez, Stockholm make the case for an increase in digital operations.

The report notes labor costs, labor turnover, food loss and waste and workplace safety as reasons to implement more automation in agriculture..

Smithfield Foods Announces New Recyclable Packaging and Plastic Reduction Commitments

Smithfield Foods, Inc. announced bold new commitments it will implement across its portfolio by 2030: to achieve consumer packaging that is 90% recyclable, reusable or industrially compostable and to halve use of virgin petroleum-based plastic.

To meet these goals, the company has established an internal cross-functional team to investigate and explore new strategic packaging and plastic-use reduction options. Among the team's current efforts is the identification and testing of replacements for products currently packaged using polystyrene (PS) trays.

Both the new recyclable packaging and plastic reduction goals build upon the company's zero-waste-to-landfill initiative, which outlines a plan to reduce overall solid waste sent to landfills...

NAMI Awards Smithfield Foods for Environmental Achievements

Smithfield Foods, Inc. is pleased to announce that the company's Orange City, Iowa; Springdale, Ohio; Lincoln, Neb. and Cudahy, Wisc. facilities received 2021 Environmental Achievement Awards from the North American Meat Institute (NAMI). The awards recognize local facility projects in the categories of environmental technology, outreach and training; pollution prevention; resource conservation; and social and economic sustainability. Two Smithfield facilities received first place recognition and two additional facilities received second place recognition.

The NAMI Environmental Achievement Awards are presented to member companies that go beyond environmental compliance by designing and successfully implementing...

Smithfield Foods Earns Silver LEED Certification at Maryland Distribution Center

Smithfield Foods, Inc. is pleased to announce that its distribution center in North East, MD has received Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The state-of-the-art facility, which began operating in fall 2019, is the first building in the company's portfolio to receive LEED certification and exemplifies Smithfield's commitment to implementing sustainable best practices throughout its operations.

Smithfield Foods Commits to Reducing Sodium and Sugar 10%, Cleaner Labeling Across Products by 2025

Smithfield Foods, Inc. announced companywide health and wellness goals as part of its wide-ranging commitment to sustainability and continuous product improvement. By 2025, the company will reduce sodium and sugar by 10% and embrace clean labeling across its portfolio. The new goals are part of Smithfield's new standalone Health and Wellness pillar and expanded sustainability program.

"At Smithfield, we are constantly innovating to meet the ever-changing needs of consumers who are increasingly seeking out foods with improved nutrition profiles and clean, transparent labeling," said Stewart Leeth, Chief Sustainability Officer for Smithfield Foods. "We understand the importance of...

Smithfield Foods' President and CEO Dennis Organ Appoints New Executive Leadership Team

Smithfield Foods announced new executive leadership appointments following Dennis Organ's recent assumption of the president and chief executive officer role.

"These key leaders represent decades of collective company and industry expertise. It is a testament to our depth and strength at Smithfield that such talented individuals are within our ranks," Mr. Organ said. "Building on our guiding principles of Responsibility, Operational Excellence and Innovation, this team will...

Anti-Meat Activist Poses as Smithfield Foods CEO on National Television 

Last week, animal activist Matt Johnson of Direct Action Everywhere, posed as the CEO of Smithfield Foods during a national television interview with Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo. On December 23, 2020, Bartiromo thought she was speaking with Smithfield Foods CEO Dennis Organ. However, she and her audience were being misled. 

During the interview, Johnson blamed animal agriculture for new infectious diseases and made false claims that the Centers for Disease Control has data proving that the livestock industry would...

Dominion Energy, Smithfield Foods Complete Renewable Natural Gas Project in Utah

Dominion Energy and Smithfield Foods, Inc., announced they have completed the first renewable natural gas (RNG) project through their joint venture, Align Renewable Natural Gas℠. Located in Milford in southwestern Utah, the project is now producing RNG from a network of 26 family farms that raise hogs under contract with Smithfield.

The project is the first large-scale effort in the state to capture methane from hog farming operations and convert it into clean energy for homes, businesses and transportation. Significantly more...

Smithfield Foods Provides Update on President and Chief Executive Officer Succession

Smithfield Foods, Inc. provided an update on its succession progress following its announcement last month that Kenneth M. Sullivan, president and chief executive officer (CEO), would retire from the company and Dennis Organ, chief operating officer, U.S. operations, would succeed him.

Transition activities are moving forward approximately one month ahead of schedule, facilitated by the close working relationship and shared...

Smithfield Foods Announces Planned Retirement of President and CEO Kenneth M. Sullivan in 2021

Smithfield Foods, Inc. today announced that Kenneth M. Sullivan, president and chief executive officer, will retire from the company, effective in early 2021, following a distinguished four-decade-long career – nearly half of which were spent at Smithfield. Dennis Organ, chief operating officer, U.S. operations, will succeed Mr. Sullivan as president and chief executive officer upon his retirement.

"It has been a great honor and privilege to lead Smithfield for the past five years. As a leading global food and agriculture company, we have an incredibly important role to play in society. It is an obligation we have proudly embraced over our more than 80-year history. We have persevered through an extraordinary time in 2020...

Smithfield Foods Launches New Power Bites

The Smithfield brand announced that all new Power Bites are here. Power Bites are a breakfast bite of real sausage, egg, and cheese you can eat anywhere. Offered in portable packaging, Power Bites make meal-time awesome for meat lovers. They pack all your favorite ingredients into one bite to provide a boost of flavor and protein. The brand-new line hitting shelves this fall is available in three flavors: Homestyle, Western Style and Meat Lovers.

Smithfield Power Bites require almost zero prep to accommodate active and busy lifestyles; simply heat for 45 seconds in the microwave and eat right out of the container – no fork required. All varieties are fully cooked and made with...

NAMI Responds to Washington Post Article on OSHA Citations 

The Washington Post article discussed below was not featured on Urner Barry's sites. 

The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today said the Washington Post missed the real story regarding the Occupational and Safety Health Administration’s (OSHA) citations of two meat packing companies related to COVID-19:

Kim Kindy of the Washington Post has written a story critical of OSHA’s citations of two meat packing plants. We agree OSHA deserves criticism, but for different reasons. OSHA’s citations against Smithfield Foods and JBS Foods are both confusing and revisionist.

Kindy neglects to look at the timeline. Let us review...

Smithfield Foods to Become Carbon Negative by 2030

Smithfield Foods, Inc. announced a commitment to becoming carbon negative in all company-owned operations in the United States by 2030. A leader in sustainability for more than two decades, the company will go beyond carbon neutrality to effectively remove more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits. It will achieve this goal without purchasing carbon credits to offset emissions.

"As the world grapples with environmental challenges impacting our planet, consumers are looking to companies to take deliberate, bold action to address issues such as climate change," said Kenneth M. Sullivan, president and chief executive officer, Smithfield Foods. "The world is at an inflection point. To feed a growing world population, with finite resources available to grow and produce the food we need, we must...

Eckrich Debuts New Packaging for Deli Products in Stores Nationwide

Eckrich is introducing bold new packaging for the Deli collection which will begin rolling out in stores nationwide this month.

Through both qualitative and quantitative market research, Eckrich successfully created a design that breathes new energy into the heritage brand with a modern, approachable look, all with its key consumer top of mind. The designs feature a white background and crisp imagery, displaying the product and information in an organized, eye-catching way. The imagery also...

Smithfield Foods' Adjusted Operating Results Swing to Loss in Second Quarter Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Smithfield Foods, Inc. announced that it has spent $350 million to protect its team members and the American food supply during the COVID-19 pandemic, causing adjusted operating results to swing to a loss in the second quarter of 2020.

At Smithfield, the first half of 2020 was "a tale of two tapes": pre-pandemic and pandemic. Prior to the onset of COVID-19 in the U.S., Smithfield delivered record results in the first quarter of 2020, which were 190 percent higher than 2019. However, the impact of the pandemic weighed heavily on the company's second quarter, pushing adjusted operating results 140 percent below...

Carando Introduces New Calzone Products 

Carando, a brand of Smithfield Foods, is venturing further into the deli section with the addition of handheld, fully-cooked calzones. The new line features three mouth-watering flavors to tantalize every palate, including Pepperoni, Meatball, and Chicken Parmesan. Known for its authentic Italian flavors, the calzones offer consumers a simple, no-prep meal without skimping on taste.

"As a leader in Italian meats, we are excited to expand our portfolio and bring more of the traditional taste of Carando to consumers," said Diane Purnell, brand manager for Carando at Smithfield Foods. "Our new fully-cooked calzones offer convenient, on-the-go options for...