SONOMA, Calif., June 27, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Smithfield’s Helping Hungry Homes program made the 13th stop on its 2016 nationwide hunger-relief tour yesterday to donate more than 35,000 pounds of protein to the Redwood Empire Food Bank. On Sunday, June 26, Smithfield partnered with Save Mart and Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) to present the donation at the Sonoma Raceway and kick off a series of race-morning activities at the Smithfield trackside display. The donation will provide more than 140,000 servings of protein to 82,000 people in Sonoma County who depend on the Redwood Empire Food Bank for meals each month.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/72238667-ce3f-47af-9b84-b1980ec06747

RPM No. 43 driver Aric Almirola, who has partnered with the Smithfield Helping Hungry Homes campaign to donate thousands of pounds of protein over recent years, was present to discuss the importance of these donations from Smithfield and to raise awareness about the necessity of providing assistance to our neighbors in need in the Sonoma area.

Helping Hungry Homes, now in its eighth year, is Smithfield’s coast-to-coast campaign to help Americans become more food secure. This year, the program will help fight hunger through more than 30 large-scale protein donations to food banks across the United States totaling more than 3.5 million servings. To date, Helping Hungry Homes has provided more than 39 million servings of protein to food banks across America.

“When it comes to hunger relief, the most difficult foods to acquire are Center of Plate Foods,” said David Goodman, CEO of the Redwood Empire Food Bank. “They are the foods that answer the question, ‘What is for dinner tonight?’ The generous donation from Smithfield and Save Mart will ensure that struggling families throughout our community have a delicious and nutritious meal this evening- providing hope, dignity and joy during a very difficult time in their lives.” 

“Save Mart wants the communities we serve to thrive,” said Randy Slenz, general manager of Save Mart. “On average, one in seven Californians faces food insecurity. This donation made in partnership with Smithfield Foods ensures Redwood Empire can help many local families in the coming months.”

“Smithfield is proud to partner with Save Mart and RPM to provide Redwood Empire with this donation through our Helping Hungry Homes program,” said Dennis Pittman, Smithfield senior director of corporate communications and public affairs. “As a food company, it’s our responsibility to help our neighbors in need. Through this donation, we are proud to provide wholesome protein to families and individuals throughout the Sonoma area.”

“Richard Petty Motorsports is honored to participate in this donation during the race weekend here in Sonoma,” said Almirola. “So many race fans are loyal customers of Smithfield and shop at Save Mart, so it’s great to see the two organizations partnering to give back to the communities that support them, and our race team, throughout the year.”

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 and slow-smoked holiday hams to marinated tenderloins, 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, ribs, and a wide variety of fresh pork cuts, the company services retail, foodservice, and deli channels across the United States and 30 countries abroad. All of Smithfield’s products meet the highest quality and safety standards in the industry. To learn more about how Flavor Hails from Smithfield, please visit www.Smithfield.com, www.Twitter.com/SmithfieldBrand, and www.Facebook.com/CookingWithSmithfield. Smithfield is a brand of Smithfield Foods.

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®, Cook’s®, John Morrell®, Gwaltney®, Kretschmar®, Margherita®, Curly’s®, Carando® 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.

About Richard Petty Motorsports
A performance and marketing driven company, Richard Petty Motorsports, co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty and successful business entrepreneur Andrew Murstein, is one of the most recognized brands in all of motorsports. With a history of over 200 wins and business partnerships with national and global leaders, today the race operation fields two teams in competition in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with drivers Aric Almirola and Brian Scott. Almirola will return to the iconic No. 43 Ford with partners Smithfield Foods, STP, United States Air Force and the “Fresh From Florida” campaign. Scott will make his debut with the team and drive the Petty Family No. 44 Ford. Albertsons Companies, Shore Lodge, Twisted Tea and GoBowling.com will join Scott as he competes for Rookie of the Year in his first full-time season in the Sprint Cup Series. Richard Petty Motorsports will also field the No. 43 Ford Mustang in the NASCAR XFINITY Series. The team is headquartered in Mooresville, N.C.

About The Save Mart Companies
Based in the heart of the Central Valley, The Save Mart Companies is committed to sourcing a wide variety of local products ensuring that ‘fresh comes first’ for neighborhoods throughout California and Northern Nevada. The company employs nearly 16,000 team members and operates 205 traditional and price impact stores under the banners of Save Mart, Lucky, FoodMaxx, S-Mart Foods, and MaxxValue Foods. In addition to its retail operation, Save Mart owns and operates three distribution centers – Roseville, Turlock and Vacaville. The company also operates Smart Refrigerated Transport and is a voting partner in Super Store Industries (SSI), which owns and operates a distribution center in Lathrop, Mid Valley Dairy in Fairfield and Sunnyside Farms ice cream plant in Turlock. For more information on the company visit: www.SaveMart.com.

About Redwood Empire Food Bank
The Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB) is the largest hunger-relief organization serving north coastal California, from Sonoma County to the Oregon border. Since 1987, the REFB has developed 15 innovative programs to provide access to healthy and nutritious food at over 200 distribution sites. The REFB currently serves 82,000 children, families and seniors locally. By collaborating with local and regional partners, the REFB obtains and distributes more than 15 million pounds of food annually, fifty-five percent of which is fresh produce. This is the equivalent of 35,000 meals every day. The REFB is also the primary source of food for hunger-relief agencies in Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties. Visit refb.org or call 707-523-7900 to learn more.

CONTACT: Media Contacts:

Hunter PR for Smithfield
Elisabeth Garcia
(212) 679-6600
[email protected]

Save Mart
Nannette Miranda
(925) 833-6135
[email protected]

Richard Petty Motorsports
Heather Lumpp
(847) 302-5509
[email protected]

Redwood Empire Food Bank
Maggie Sowell
(707) 523-7900 x158
[email protected]