125 Years Strong for Patrick Cudahy

CUDAHY, Wis., Oct. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Patrick Cudahy's year-long celebration of its 125^th anniversary culminated this afternoon with a special program held at its offices in Cudahy, Wisconsin. The event was assembled to officially recognize the company's founding on October 1, 1888, extend gratitude to its partners and employees, and acknowledge its heritage in the state of Wisconsin. Several special guests, including Wisconsin Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, community leaders, business associates and members of the media, were in attendance. Patrick Cudahy, part of the John Morrell Food Group, a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, concluded the event by making a donation of 12,375 pounds of Patrick Cudahy products to Hunger Task Force, ending a year-long effort of giving to Hunger Task Force and Feeding America that totals over 125,000 meals.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131003/CL91833)

"This is certainly a special day for everyone at Patrick Cudahy," said Bill Otis, President, COO, Patrick Cudahy, LLC. "We're all very proud to reach this milestone. It's the hard work and dedication of our employees and the Cudahy community that have made it possible for us to celebrate 125 years. We appreciate their efforts and know that we would not have achieved this without them. It's their loyalty and devotion that will allow us to attain another 125 years of success."

Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, Cudahy Mayor John Hohenfeldt and Sherrie Tussler, Executive Director of Hunger Task Force were among the keynote speakers who honored Patrick Cudahy and its employees. A proclamation from Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker was presented to the company paying reverence to its rich heritage and importance to the town of Cudahy.

During the program, Patrick Cudahy announced it has donated over 125,000 meals (4 oz. per serving) to Hunger Task Force and Feeding America throughout 2013. The donation totals 36,516 pounds of Patrick Cudahy bacon, bacon pieces and topping, dry sausage, pepperoni, ham, deli and sliced meats that will benefit the local area.

"Hunger Task Force is honored to be included in this celebration," offered Sherrie Tussler, Hunger Task Force Executive Director. "As Milwaukee's Free & Local food bank we are grateful to community leaders like Patrick Cudahy who understand the importance of making sure our neighbors have enough food. We also want to congratulate the company and all their employees on reaching this milestone."

Throughout 2013, Patrick Cudahy celebrated its anniversary with a multi-faceted social media, advertisement, promotional and public relations program that honored its milestone and its faithful Wisconsin consumers. On its Facebook and website, it paid tribute to its legacy and all the wonderful attributes that Wisconsin has to offer through its "SAY HEY to Wisconsin, SAY HEY to Patrick Cudahy," campaign. It highlighted 125 special things about Wisconsin and the company itself. It featured special foods, events, people, places, organizations and businesses that are all unique and found in the great state of Wisconsin.

Patrick Cudahy also sponsored several special events during the summer. The company brought its celebration to the Wisconsin State Fair, hosting "125 Hours of Bacon" over the course of 11 days as well as "Bacon Lover's Day." The "Patrick Cudahy Race for Bacon" 5k in Cudahy and the "Say Hey to Patrick Cudahy" photo booth mobile tour were also held in conjunction with the company's 125^th anniversary.

"We've really enjoyed celebrating Patrick Cudahy's 125^th anniversary," said Charles Gitkin, vice president, marketing, innovation and R&D for the John Morrell Food Group. "It was our goal to celebrate the achievement with our loyal consumers and our friends in the great state of Wisconsin. All of the special events and promotions were our way of saying 'thank you' for being a part of Patrick Cudahy for the past 125 years. We look forward to carrying on the tradition and heritage that has made Patrick Cudahy a beloved brand from Wisconsin."

For further information about Patrick Cudahy please visit www.Facebook.com/PatrickCudahyMeats.

About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $13 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®, Farmland®, Armour®, Cook's®, Gwaltney®, John Morrell®, Kretschmar®, Curly's®, Carando®, Margherita®, and Healthy Ones®. 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 and www.smithfieldcommitments.com.

About John Morrell Food Group
With over a century and a half of experience, John Morrell Food Group brands have become respected and well known for providing premium-quality meat products to families across the United States. With products ranging from lunchmeat and franks to smoked sausage, bacon and pepperoni, the John Morrell Food Group is an important part of consumers' mealtimes. The John Morrell Food Group offers several national and regional brands including Armour^®, Eckrich^®, John Morrell^®, Curly's^®, Patrick Cudahy^®, Carando^®, Healthy Ones^®, Margherita^®, Kretschmar^® and LunchMakers^®.

About Patrick Cudahy
For 125 years, families throughout the Midwest have known the name Patrick Cudahy as one they can count on for quality, value and for the unmistakable flavor of Sweet Apple-Wood. Our product line includes fully cooked and traditional bacon, bacon pieces and topping, dry sausage, pepperoni, ham, deli and sliced meats.

About Hunger Task Force
Hunger Task Force makes sure donations remain Free & Local. Food is delivered free of charge to 80 food pantries, soup kitchens and homeless shelters in the Milwaukee area. Hunger Task Force believes that every person has the right to adequate food obtained with dignity. We work to prevent hunger and malnutrition by providing food to people in need today and by promoting social policies to achieve a hunger free community tomorrow. For more information visit HungerTaskForce.org.

SOURCE John Morrell Food Group