John Morrell Food Group Partners with Share Our Strength

LISLE, Ill., Oct. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Every day, children across the country struggle to find a nutritious meal. Many are eligible for free or reduced-priced meals at schools but still do not get the nutrition they need. To help battle this ever-increasing trend, John Morrell Food Group alongside its parent company, Smithfield Foods, announced today a special partnership with Share Our Strength, a national non-profit organization focused on eliminating childhood hunger in America. Specifically, the food companies will support the organization's No Kid Hungry Campaign and join efforts to ensure all children get the healthy food they need, every day.

The No Kid Hungry campaign connects children from food insecure households across the country to nutrition programs, such as school breakfast and summer meals and teaches low-income families how to cook healthy meals within their budget.

"Fighting hunger and advancing educational opportunities have long been two of Smithfield's core priorities. Not only does partnering with Share Our Strength help us battle childhood hunger here in the United States, but it also helps ensure that students get the nutrition they need before, during, and after school," said Dennis H. Treacy, executive vice president and chief sustainability officer for Smithfield Foods.

This important work is accomplished through the No Kid Hungry network, which is made up of private citizens, public officials, nonprofit organizations and business leaders providing innovative hunger solutions in their communities. John Morrell Food Group and Smithfield Foods now are a part of that network.

"We are really excited about joining forces with Share Our Strength and getting involved with their No Kid Hungry Campaign," said Russ Dokken, senior vice president, John Morrell Food Group foodservice. "We feel we can really make an impact through our foodservice business and help reach many more children in need."

Now through October 2014, John Morrell Food Group and Smithfield Foods will donate at least $150,000 through events that will engage consumers such as Dine Out, No Kid Hungry Dinners and Taste of the Nation. Additionally, in select markets, customers can support the campaign at their local grocery store by making a donation at the register.

"We are delighted Smithfield has joined us in our commitment to make No Kid Hungry a reality in America," said Bill Shore, founder and chief executive officer of Share Our Strength. "We are energized by their support and interest in introducing our mission to John Morrell retail and foodservice operations, and we look forward to working together to help ensure that children have the food they need to learn and grow."

Since summer 2011, No Kid Hungry efforts have helped bring more than 34 million additional meals to kids who need them. For more information, please click here.

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 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 Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry Campaign
No child should grow up hungry in America, but one in five children struggles with hunger. Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry® campaign is ending childhood hunger in America by ensuring all children get the healthy food they need, every day. The No Kid Hungry campaign connects kids in need to effective nutrition programs like school breakfast and summer meals and teaches low-income families to cook healthy, affordable meals through Cooking Matters.  This work is accomplished through the No Kid Hungry network, made up of private citizens, public officials, nonprofits, business leaders and others providing innovative hunger solutions in their communities. Join us at NoKidHungry.org.

SOURCE John Morrell Food Group