SMITHFIELD, Va., Nov. 5, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield Foods, Inc. today unveiled its new "Smithfield DIGITAL" app. The app was launched in conjunction with its 2013 Integrated Report, which achieved a sustainability reporting milestone by fulfilling the requirements of application level A from Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). GRI is a leading authority in standardizing sustainability reporting worldwide to ensure a higher level of consistency in this field. This is the first year that Smithfield has achieved this recognition.

Smithfield Foods President and Chief Executive Officer C. Larry Pope commented, "We are always looking for ways to underscore our commitment to transparency and accountability, and achieving an A level from GRI for our reporting certainly demonstrates progress in this area. However, what I'm most excited about is the release of Smithfield DIGITAL. We hope this app will broaden our reach to entirely new audiences while using amazing, innovative technology."

"I've never seen anything like this," added Dennis H. Treacy, the company's Executive Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer. "I always challenge our team to come up with new ways to communicate on these topics, and they certainly met that expectation this year. This app integrates our digital presence and print communications in a way I never thought possible," said Treacy.

Smithfield DIGITAL unlocks additional digital content by scanning selected pages of the report with a smartphone or tablet. For example, readers can watch Smithfield Foods President and CEO Larry Pope, as well as Chief Sustainability Officer Dennis Treacy, come to life right on the page as they share their thoughts about the company's business and sustainability goals. Other benefits include links to videos, helpful audio, and a variety of interactive features.

The Smithfield Foods 2013 Integrated Report, which provides details of the company's annual financial results and highlights of its core sustainability programs and performance, can be found in PDF format on smithfieldcommitments.com. Visitors to the site can also order a print copy. As in past years, the company published a printed summary report as well as updated its sustainability website-smithfieldcommitments.com-with comprehensive content.

Among the 2013 highlights:

  • Smithfield's companies topped meat industry national industry safety averages, and 54% of its locations beat national averages for all industries.
  • Each Smithfield independent operating company introduced new packaging reduction projects.
  • Smithfield reduced solid waste sent to landfill by 20%.
  • More than 8.4 million servings of food were donated through Helping Hungry Homes.
  • The company launched more than 100 new branded products, the most in Smithfield Foods history.
  • Smithfield is making continued progress in moving all of its pregnant sows on company-owned farms in the U.S. to group housing systems by 2017. As of Dec. 30, 2012, 38% of sows were in company-owned group housing systems. An update on this conversion will be provided at the end of 2013.

The company's sustainability program is built around six pillars: Animal Care, Employees, Environment, Food Safety & Quality, Helping Communities and Value Creation, which was added last year. Value Creation allows Smithfield Foods to explore the relationship between the sustainability commitments of the original five pillars and the company's goal of consistently delivering strong financial performance.

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.www.smithfieldfoods.com and www.smithfieldcommitments.com. 


CONTACT: Keira Lombardo

         Smithfield Foods, Inc.

         (757) 365-3050

         keiralombardo@smithfieldfoods.com

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