For those of you unfamiliar with World Water Monitoring Day, it is an educational outreach initiative that was launched in 2002 by America’s Clean Water Foundation to underscore the importance of water as one of our most essential natural resources. Participants traditionally observe the environmental holiday of sorts by taking samples and testing the quality of local water sources to ensure their health.

However, in an effort to boost participation, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and International Water Association (IWA) recently unveiled exciting redesigns to the storied program, including a new name, look and interactive website. Now called World Water Monitoring Challenge (WWMC), the revamped international program encourages participants to monitor their local waterways year-round.

WEF and IWA officially expanded the scope of the program to improve flexibility and emphasize the value in observing water quality on a regular basis. We’re thrilled to hear that these refinements have so far prompted a considerable increase in program participation. In 2011, nearly 340,000 people monitored their waterways in 77 countries, whereas five years ago 30,000 joined in the effort.

We’d like to thank WEF and IWA for their hard work in promoting and organizing the protection of our world’s water sources. We can’t wait to continue our efforts this year in partnership with WWMC.  

“Our farms have long been criticized for errors we made long ago despite the ensuing years of environmental improvement and industry leadership, so reaching our goal of no NOVs system-wide is a very rewarding achievement. We are tremendously proud of the determination and dedication of all our employees at Murphy-Brown and our international operations,” said Dennis Treacy, executive vice president and chief sustainability officer for Smithfield Foods.

A decade ago, Smithfield adopted an environmental policy committing the company to pollution prevention and continuous improvement in its environmental performance. In 2002 Smithfield received ISO 14001 certification for all of its domestic company-owned farms, and by 2004 its processing facilities also earned the same ISO certification.

“Each day we face new challenges throughout our industry, which makes this achievement just one step in our ongoing journey,” Treacy said.

“We’ve traveled from Miami, Florida, to Anchorage, Alaska, bringing much needed protein to wonderful food assistance organizations, and we have just made our 100th tour donation,” said Dennis Pittman, Smithfield-Packing’s’ public affairs director. “Our Smithfield trucks have traveled to help families who’ve experienced tornado devastation in Joplin, Missouri, floods in Vermont and the recent hurricane in Delaware. It is heartwarming when we hear over and over again how much a food donation means to people. We’re eager to continue the fight against hunger and raising awareness coast-to-coast.”

Helping Hungry Homes is a Smithfield Foods initiative started in 2008 with a goal of helping to feed food insecure families in our nation. 

Download the interview (PDF).

We’re thrilled for the opportunity to support a team as esteemed and storied as Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM). Richard Petty and the no. 43 bring us back to NASCAR’s roots and represent everything we love about the sport today.

Perhaps one of the family’s most distinctive trademarks is the infamous ‘Petty Blue’ that made its debut at the first Daytona 500 in 1959.

RPM just revealed the no. 43 paint scheme for this year’s 500 and traditions were anything but lost in the wind. The no. 43 Ford, now piloted by Aric Almirola, will be punctuated with the same paint that circled Daytona more than 50 years ago.

At Smithfield we too know the value in keeping with strong tradition. From one family to yours, here’s to a great 2012 Sprint Cup season for RPM!

While PSF’s agreement with the state designated a final deadline of July 31, 2012 to complete the project, final installation procedures took place on December 29, 2011. In total, installation costs of the next generation barn scraper technology exceeded $7 million.

“A great deal of perseverance and cooperation on the part of the state and our company went into this project over the past ten years, and now that it’s completed we believe we are setting the standard for environmental technology,” said Bill Homann, director of administration and compliance for PSF.

“In fact, our production employees and environmental staff experts are very happy with how well the next generation technology is working. The systems are exceeding our expectations and providing a very positive impact,” he added.

We’re thrilled to see a decade’s worth of hard work culminate in such a concerted fashion. PSF’s diligence has not only helped to preserve hundreds of jobs in the area, but will also serve to improve the future quality of life for all of our friends and families who call north Missouri home.

Aric was recently named as driver of RPM’s infamous No. 43 Ford and will make his Sprint Cup debut at Daytona. “I’m looking forward to representing the Smithfield brands,” Aric said. “They have some great things planned and I am happy to be a part of it.”

The Petty organization meshes well with our core values at Smithfield so this partnership arises as a very natural fit. “The Petty’s stand firmly for family values and demonstrate a strong regard and enthusiasm for helping others, which is something we’re thrilled to be a part of,” said C. Larry Pope, our president and chief executive officer. “We’re excited to explore the many  possibilities in which we can give back through Helping Hungry Homes,^® our initiative focused on alleviating hunger across America.” In fact, Helping Hungry Homes^® will be Smithfield’s featured brand for the Daytona 500.

We’re all revved up to be on the track with such a great team! 

“GEMI has a truly exceptional and dedicated Board of Directors and membership, and I am honored to have been elected by them and look forward to serving as GEMI’s Chair in 2012,” stated Gill.

GEMI, based in Washington, D.C., is a global leader in developing insights and creating environmental sustainability solutions for business. It currently has 26 member companies representing more than 12 business sectors. Through its membership, companies have the ability to work collaboratively together to achieve sustainability excellence for their businesses around the world.

The Save Energy Now LEADER Program provides technical assistance and resources to companies that pledge significant improvements in industrial energy efficiencies. The DOE conducts assessments and audits to identify opportunities for energy and cost savings, and in return, participating companies have access to tools to implement change.

Smithfield Foods has come a long way in making good food, responsibly, but such progress can only be attributed to a dedicated employee family which we are blessed to be a part of. In fact, such keen effort and determination are the principles upon which Smithfield was founded. We’re proud to say that our colonial hometown, Smithfield, Virginia, is our nation’s ham capital and birthplace to a storied holiday ham tradition. We’ve been providing customers with the finest hams and pork products for over two centuries, and today we are a $12 billion global food company and leader in numerous packaged meat categories. Some of our popular brands include Farmland, Smithfield, Eckrich, Armour and John Morrell. 

Season’s Greetings and Happy New Year from all of us in the Smithfield Foods family!

Browse our special holiday hams and gifts here. Or if you’re looking for the perfect holiday recipe, take a page from Paula Deen’s book!