SMITHFIELD, Va., March 01, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield Foods, Inc. is proud to receive the 2016 Friend of Conservation Award presented last month by the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD). The NACD is a national nonprofit organization that represents and serves 3,000 local conservation districts across the country. This honor recognizes Smithfield for its achievements in natural resource reduction, protection and education.
“Smithfield leads its industry in implementing far-reaching sustainability programs that enable the company to serve as better stewards of the environment,” said Lee McDaniel, who at the time the award was presented was president of the National Association of Conservation Districts. “This award recognizes Smithfield for its continued commitment to helping prepare the next generation of environmental and conservation leaders.”
At the award presentation, NACD noted Smithfield’s longtime sponsorship of the National Conservation Foundation-Envirothon, an educational and environmental conservation competition for high school students. Smithfield funds scholarships awarded to winning state and national NCF-Envirothon teams. Additionally, its employees serve as competition volunteers and team coaches in local communities.
“At Smithfield, environmental stewardship is engrained throughout our operations and in our support of education programs in communities where we live and work,” said Stewart Leeth, vice president of regulatory affairs and chief sustainability officer for Smithfield Foods. “We’re honored to receive this award and remain committed to continuing efforts to reduce our natural resource demand and support conservation education.”
For more information about Smithfield’s environmental achievements and endeavors, visit smithfieldfoods.com/environment.
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®, Nathan's Famous®, Farmland®, Armour®, John Morrell®, Cook's®, Kretschmar®, Gwaltney®, Curly's®, Margherita®, Carando®, Healthy Ones®, Krakus®, Morliny®, and Berlinki®. 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.