Smithfield Foods executives serve as board members for a number of educational, environmental, and industry-related organizations or play other significant roles in their progress. Below is a representative list of some of these organizations.
Agriculture in the Classroom
USDA Agriculture in the Classroom supports state programs by providing a network that seeks to improve agricultural literacy—awareness, knowledge, and appreciation—among pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers and their students. The program is carried out in each state according to state needs and interests by individuals representing farm organizations, agribusiness, education, and government. The USDA supports the state organizations by helping to develop Agriculture in the Classroom programs; acting as a central clearinghouse for educational materials and information; encouraging USDA agencies to assist in the state programs; and coordinating with national organizations to promote the goal of an increased awareness of agriculture among the nation’s students.
Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
Founded in 1971, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay is unique in its focus on collaboration to address issues that affect Chesapeake Bay and its streams and rivers. It engages, educates, partners, and inspires through its work with other organizations, communities, businesses, and individuals. Its strength is in developing innovative solutions that can be implemented to protect the bay. It believes long-term strategies and actions to protect and enhance the bay can be achieved through collaboration and common goals..
American Meat Institute Sustainability Committee
The American Meat Institute (AMI) is a national trade association that represents companies that process 95 percent of red meat and 70 percent of turkey in the United States and their suppliers throughout America. Headquartered in metropolitan Washington, D.C., AMI keeps its fingers on the pulse of legislation, regulation, and media activity that impact the meat and poultry industry and provides rapid updates and analyses to its members to help them stay informed. In addition, AMI conducts scientific research through its foundation designed to help meat and poultry companies improve their plants and their products. The institute’s many meetings and educational seminars also provide excellent networking and information-sharing opportunities for members of the industry.
Global Environmental Management Initiative
The Global Environmental Management Initiative (GEMI) is a global leader in developing insights and creating environmental sustainability solutions for business. For 20+ years, GEMI has captured the vision and experience of global corporate environmental, health and safety (EHS), and sustainability leaders from diverse business sectors through the development of a wide range of more than 30 publicly available, solutions-based tools. They are designed to help companies improve the environment, their operations, and add business value. Spanning multiple eras of environmental management, GEMI has remained on the leading edge of EHS and sustainability issues and development.
Grocery Manufacturers Association Sustainability Solutions Group
Founded in 1908, the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) is the voice of more than 300 leading food, beverage, and consumer product companies that sustain and enhance the quality of life for hundreds of millions of people in the United States and around the globe. Based in Washington, D.C., GMA’s member organizations include internationally recognized brands as well as steadily growing, localized brands. Applying sustainable solutions in all areas of its work while continuing to deliver products that enhance consumers’ lives is a top priority for GMA and its members. The industry is taking steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce the amount of material used in packaging, improve energy efficiency, bolster water conservation efforts, and source commodities from sustainable suppliers.
National Association of Manufacturers Sustainability Task Force
The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) is the preeminent U.S. manufacturers association as well as the nation’s largest industrial trade association, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 12 million workers, contributes more than $1.6 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, is the largest driver of economic growth in the nation, and accounts for the lion’s share of private sector research and development. Many NAM member companies commit substantial resources to enhance the sustainability of their processes and products.
National Pork Board Environmental Committee
The National Pork Board has responsibility for Pork Checkoff-funded research, promotion, consumer information projects, and for communicating with pork producers and the public. Through a legislative national Pork Checkoff, pork producers invest $0.40 for each $100 value of hogs sold. The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in advertising, consumer information, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion, production improvement, technology, swine health, pork safety, and environmental management. Its environmental committee develops proactive programs to help producers meet the challenges for responsible pork production and protect the environment, while maintaining the economic competitiveness of the U.S. pork industry.
National Meat Association
National Meat Association (NMA) members are committed to safe food, high-quality production, excellent service and supplies, and, most remarkably, to each other. And they all know where to turn for first-rate, responsive assistance. Packers, processors, and others with grants of inspection utilize the regulatory and technical assistance, as well as HACCP support and education, provided by NMA’s regulatory arm.
National Pork Producers Council
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) conducts public-policy outreach on behalf of its 43 affiliated state associations, enhancing opportunities for the success of U.S. pork producers and other industry stakeholders by establishing the U.S. pork industry as a consistent and responsible supplier of high-quality pork to the domestic and world markets. NPPC’s mission is to fight for reasonable legislation and regulations, develop revenue and market opportunities, and protect the livelihoods of America’s 67,000 pork producers. Public-policy issues on which it focuses are in the areas of agriculture and industry, animal health and food safety, environment and energy, and international trade.
VCU Rice Center
The Inger and Walter Rice Center for Environmental Life Sciences is Virginia Commonwealth University’s field station devoted to a broad array of environmental research, teaching, and public service. Located on 494 acres along the historic James River, midway between Richmond and Williamsburg, the Rice Center is rich in natural and cultural resources. The center has a variety of aquatic and terrestrial habitats that provide many research and educational opportunities. A primary focus of research at the site is on the science and policy of large rivers and their fringing riparian and wetland landscapes, with the broad and scenic James River as the focal point of that research.
Virginia Agribusiness Council
Virginia Agribusiness Council is a nonprofit member organization committed to representing the agriculture and forest industries in the Commonwealth of Virginia through effective government relations and industry promotion efforts. Core values include advancing the business interests of agriculture and forestry producers, processors, manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers; respecting the views of all members and seeking consensus based on proven facts and science; facilitating solutions by engaging participants on both sides of an issue; and serving as a reliable and credible resource on matters related to our industry.
Virginiaforever
Virginiaforever was established in late 2006 as an independent 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization after growing out of a special campaign launched by The Nature Conservancy. Since that time it has worked diligently to carry out its mission to further the common good and general welfare of the citizens of Virginia by bringing about civic improvement through increased public investment and the commitment of funds to protect and preserve natural resources, with an emphasis on land and water.
Virginia Tech College of Natural Resources
Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources and Environment is the only comprehensive education, research, and outreach program in natural resources in its state. Specific departments and programs in the college are considered among the best nationally by many measures. Its vision is to build upon these existing strengths to become an innovative international leader in environmental and natural resource science, creating and sharing the knowledge needed for sustainable management of our resources for this and future generations.
World Water Monitoring Day
World Water Monitoring Day (WWMD) is an international education and outreach program that builds public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world by engaging citizens to conduct basic monitoring of their local water bodies. An easy-to-use test kit enables everyone from children to adults to sample local water bodies for a core set of water quality parameters including temperature, acidity (pH), clarity (turbidity), and dissolved oxygen (DO). Results are shared with participating communities around the globe through the WWMD Web site.
