Smithfield Foods Distributes 1,000 Holiday Hams to Fight Hunger in Hampton Roads

Core Insights - Smithfield Foods, in partnership with Kroger, distributed 1,000 free holiday hams and grocery bags to support local families facing food insecurity in Southeastern Virginia [1][2] - The initiative is part of Smithfield's commitment to the Tidewater region, where the company has operated for nearly 90 years, aiming to brighten the holiday season for those in need [2] - Kroger emphasizes its responsibility to address food insecurity and is dedicated to initiatives aimed at achieving zero hunger and zero waste in communities [4] Company Initiatives - Smithfield's hunger relief program, Helping Hungry Homes®, has provided hundreds of millions of servings of protein across all 50 U.S. states since 2008, with over 25 million servings valued at nearly $28 million donated in 2024 [5] - The collaboration with local food banks, such as the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank and the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, enhances the ability to provide meals to families in need [2][5] Community Impact - The Virginia Peninsula Foodbank has provided over 200 million meals since its inception in 1986, focusing on healthy food access and emergency relief [9] - The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore has distributed more than 420 million meals since 1981, serving communities where one in eight residents experience food insecurity [10]