Smithfield Foods congratulates Janky Leg BBQ on taking home the overall title at the Smithfield Classic at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. In addition to earning the top prize, Benton, Illinois-based Janky Leg BBQ had an impressive performance throughout the competition, placing top five in all four protein categories. 

Smithfield Foods is donating 40,000 pounds of protein to New Orleans via a truck shipment to support hunger relief in the wake of catastrophic damage inflicted by Hurricane Ida, one of the most intense hurricanes to ever strike Louisiana, which left nearly a million residents without power or water on the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

Smithfield's Farmland brand recognized the National FFA Organization and its positive impact in the agricultural industry through a check donation of $100,000. The gift is part of the 2021 Honoring the Heartland Tour, an initiative launched by Farmland in June to show appreciation for the honest work and tireless commitment in Midwest farming communities, agriculture industries, and retail establishments, and to support the next generation of farmers, which includes the more than 760,000 current FFA student members.

Eckrich, the maker of naturally hardwood smoked sausage and deli meats, announces its continued partnership as the Official Smoked Sausage and Deli Meat Sponsor of the College Football Playoff (CFP). To kick off the 2021 season, Eckrich is launching a multifaceted campaign, including a social contest—College Football Playoff National Tailgate Champion presented by Eckrich—where one lucky fan could win a trip to the 2022 CFP National Championship. The brand is also partnering with the CFP Foundation and its Extra Yard for Teachers initiative to host challenges at key games throughout the season for educators to win $1 million to fund education projects.

Smithfield's plant-based Pure Farmland brand is proud to present the recipients of the 2021 Pure Growth Project grant program. After receiving 103 applications from community gardens and farms across 29 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, 55 organizations have been carefully selected to receive grants ranging from $1,000 to $20,000, providing a total of $125,000 in financial support to nurture these unique neighborhood spaces. 

Smithfield Foods announced it will host its first national hiring campaign on National Hot Dog Day, July 21. The Virginia-based food company will offer walk-in hiring events at 47 of its U.S. locations and conduct on-the-spot job interviews for up to 2,500 hourly positions across the company's facilities, farms and distribution centers. In celebration of National Hot Dog Day, event attendees will receive a coupon for a free pack of Nathan's Famous hot dogs. 

Smithfield Foods announced it has appointed Shane Smith, a two-decade veteran of the company and, most recently, its chief strategy officer, as president and chief executive officer, effective immediately. Mr. Smith will succeed Dennis Organ, who is stepping down for personal reasons.

Smithfield Foods announced new executive leadership appointments following Dennis Organ's recent assumption of the president and chief executive officer role.

Smithfield Foods is committing $300,000 through 2021 to support Heritage STEM Camps Foundation (HSCF), a not-for-profit organization that creates powerful immersive experiences for aspiring Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) leaders. Smithfield’s contribution will support HSCF’s Mid-Atlantic efforts to boost levels of self-confidence and self-efficacy among minority young women and prepare them to be leaders in STEM fields, business, and entrepreneurship.

Smithfield Foods donated more than 38,000 pounds of protein to Feed More as part of the Heart of Virginia Council of the Boy Scouts Of America Scouting for Food annual food drive. As the presenting sponsor of this year's food drive, Smithfield also donated $15,000 earlier this year to cover the costs of the BSA program. Local Scout troops were able to collect almost 60,000 pounds of food this year, the equivalent of nearly 50,000 meals which Feed More will distribute across 29 counties and five cities in Central Virginia.