Kansas City Barbeque Society Announces Smithfield and Farmland as Rib Team of the Year Sponsors

NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Thousands of competition barbeque cooks claim to have the best pork ribs. In 2014, Smithfield and Farmland, two leading brands under the Smithfield Foods family of banners, will help settle the argument. The Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) is proud to announce its partnership with Smithfield and Farmland as the official sponsors of the 2014 Rib Team of the Year. Smithfield and Farmland products are a preferred protein choice for many of the KCBS competition teams who compete for millions in cash and prizes annually in barbeque competitions across the globe.

As the official 2014 Rib Team of the Year sponsors, Smithfield and Farmland will award top-placing teams in the rib category with bonus prize money and bragging rights as the absolute best rib cooks in the world. In 2014, Smithfield and Farmland will be celebrating their third year of continued partnership with KCBS.

"Smithfield and Farmland are synonymous with excellence in proteins," said Carolyn Wells, executive director of KCBS. "It's only natural that they will be the presenting sponsors for the best Rib Team of this year. Additionally, we're thrilled to continue our relationship with them and collectively promote barbeque as America's favorite cuisine."

"We are excited to be back in the competitive action this year," said Dennis Pittman, Director of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs for Smithfield and Farmland. "As two of the leading brands of fresh ribs in the country, we are looking forward to seeing the teams really 'rack' up the points this season and fight for right to say that they are the best rib cooks in the world!"

You can follow the scores along with Smithfield and Farmland by visiting KCBS.us and checking in on your favorite competition barbeque team. The 2014 Smithfield and Farmland Rib Team of the Year will be announced in January of 2015.

About Smithfield

A leading provider of high-quality pork products, Smithfield was founded in 1936 in Smithfield, Virginia, establishing the town as the "Ham Capital of the World." From hand-trimmed bacon to slow-smoked holiday hams, Smithfield brings artistry, authenticity and a commitment to heritage, flavor, and handcrafted excellence to everything it produces. With a vast product portfolio including smoked meats, hams, bacon, sausage, and fresh pork cuts, the company services retail, foodservice, and deli channels across the Unites States and 30 countries abroad. All of Smithfield's products meet the highest quality and safety standards in the industry. The company is a brand of Smithfield Farmland, a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods. To learn more about how Flavor Hails from Smithfield, please visit www.Smithfield.com and www.Facebook.com/CookingWithSmithfield.

About Farmland

At Farmland, we are passionate about pork. We have been since 1959, when we first started working side-by-side with American farm families to offer the best quality pork cuts. More than 50 years later, our unsurpassed passion and pride are stronger than ever, serving retail and foodservice customers across the United States and in 25 countries on five continents. Our natural, fresh pork products — bacon, chops, loins, ribs, sausage and ham — are tender, flavorful and made with the highest quality ingredients.  Headquartered in Kansas City, MO, Farmland is a brand of Smithfield Farmland, a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods. To learn more about Farmland's passion for pork, please visit www.FarmlandFoods.com and www.Facebook.com/FarmlandFoods.

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®, 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 Kansas City Barbeque Society

The Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and enjoying barbeque, is the world's largest organization of barbeque and grilling enthusiasts with nearly 20,000 members worldwide.

KCBS sanctions more than 450 barbeque contests throughout the United States and spanning the globe. From volunteering to actual event production, our members also offer assistance to civic and charitable organizations who organize events. For more information, visit: kcbs.us.

SOURCE Kansas City Barbeque Society