Smithfield Foods, in collaboration with The Kroger Co., distributed 1,000 free holiday hams and grocery bags filled with side dishes on Dec. 16 as part of its Season of Serving food distribution event, providing complete holiday meals to neighbors facing food insecurity in Southeastern Virginia.
The distribution effort was held in partnership with the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank and the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, encouraging those in need to pick up a free holiday meal.
“The Tidewater region of Virginia has been our home for nearly 90 years, and we are deeply committed to supporting our neighbors,” said Shane Smith, president and CEO of Smithfield Foods. “Through our partnership with Kroger, we can help make the holiday season brighter for many local families and individuals who are facing food insecurity in our community.”
Representing the retailer partner, James Menees, head of communications and public affairs for Kroger, said: “At Kroger, we believe it is our responsibility to address food insecurity and advance initiatives aimed at achieving zero hunger and zero waste in our communities. We are grateful to partner with Smithfield and together make a difference this holiday season.”
Nonprofit leaders also weighed in on the impact of the distribution.
“Families are feeling the strain of the season, and this support arrives at a meaningful time,” said Christopher Tan, president and CEO of the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore. “We’re grateful to Smithfield Foods and Kroger for helping ensure more households can sit down for a holiday meal. Their commitment strengthens our shared effort to provide reliable access to food for neighbors across our community.”
Bob Latvis, president and CEO of the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank, said, “Holiday expenses can increase the challenges faced by families experiencing food insecurity. No one on the Peninsula should have to choose between essential needs and a meal. Support from partners like Smithfield, and special distributions like this one, strengthen our collective ability to ensure every family has access to the food they need to celebrate together.”
Smithfield’s hunger relief initiative, Helping Hungry Homes, has provided hundreds of millions of servings of protein in all 50 U.S. states since 2008. In 2024, the company donated more than 25 million servings of protein, valued at nearly $28 million, to food banks, disaster relief and community outreach programs nationwide.
For more information about Smithfield’s community initiatives, visit smithfieldfoods.com/good-is-what-we-do.
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