Smithfield Foods Honored with Employer of the Year Award for Veteran Initiatives
Company Receives American Legion Award in Illinois for Veteran Hiring and Retention
MONMOUTH, Ill., July 26, 2018 /3BL Media/ - Smithfield Foods, Inc. is pleased to announce that its Monmouth, Illinois facility has been honored with the Veterans Employment & Education Commission 2018 Employer of the Year Award. The statewide award is presented by The American Legion-Department of Illinois to recognize employers for outstanding achievements in the hiring and retention of veterans.
“At Smithfield, we recognize that veterans receive multi-faceted training and bring a desired set of skills and values into the workplace,” said Bruce Rundle, Monmouth plant manager for Smithfield Foods. “It is an honor to work for a company that holds these qualities in such high regard and play a role in providing more opportunities for veterans to excel personally and professionally. Veterans understand the importance of purposeful work and their dedication supports our mission to produce ‘Good food. Responsibly.®’”
Smithfield has launched multiple initiatives to support veterans. Through Operation 4000!, Smithfield is working to employ 4,000 veterans—10 percent of its U.S. workforce—by the end of 2020. Last year, Smithfield partnered with military base Transition Assistance and Family Readiness offices through employer panel discussions and events that offered interview tips, resume writing guidance, and other services to help prepare active military for the civilian workforce. For its own veteran employees, the company introduced Smithfield Salutes, a Veterans Employee Resource Group that aims to make the transition from military to civilian life a seamless one.
Smithfield also has a long history of supporting military families through volunteerism, food and charitable donations, and partnerships. In the past six years, Smithfield has donated more than $3 million to veteran-related organizations. Supporting veterans is an important companywide initiative to honor the service and sacrifice of American veterans and their families, mainly through partnerships with nonprofits that work directly with military families, as well as employee-led events that celebrate and support local veterans.
To learn more, read about Smithfield’s commitment to veterans at SmithfieldFoods.com/SupportingVeterans
About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $15 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®, Farmer John®, Kretschmar®, John Morrell®, Cook’s®, Gwaltney®, Carando®, Margherita®, Curly’s®, Healthy Ones®, Morliny®, Krakus® 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, and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
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Contact:
Diana Souder
Smithfield Foods, Inc.
(757) 357-1675
