More than 40,000 U.S. team members have made Smithfield Foods one of the world’s leading protein companies, serving an essential role in our nation’s food security. Taylor Hunt’s Jan. 12 opinion piece for the Washington Examiner is an attempt to politicize our company. These are the facts:
In 2013, a Hong Kong-based company, WH Group, acquired Smithfield Foods. WH Group is a publicly traded company, owned by investors from all over the world, including those in the United States. It is not owned by the Chinese government. Smithfield is run by a U.S. management team from the same headquarters in Virginia where it was founded in 1936. The company and its employees pay federal and state taxes and comply with regulations established by multiple U.S. government agencies.
We partner with thousands of U.S. farmers and make all our products in nearly 50 facilities across the country in compliance with U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations. Since the merger with WH Group, not a single job has left the U.S. In fact, we have added thousands of new American jobs. Our profits are reinvested in our people, farms, and facilities across the country.
Much good has come from Smithfield’s growth over the years. Aside from our major economic contributions, we have a long-standing sustainability program that makes continuous improvements in diversity, equity, and inclusion; worker health and safety; health and wellness; the environment; food safety and quality; and community development. Smithfield’s community program is focused on helping the food-insecure, enhancing education, and providing support for U.S. military veterans and their families. Over the last eight years, we have contributed more than $280 million of in-kind and cash donations.
Smithfield is proud of its contributions to the U.S. economy and the communities where we operate. We are even more proud of the more than 40,000 American team members who work so hard to deliver good food responsibly. These are your neighbors, and their work is worthy of your respect.
Jim Monroe is the vice president of corporate affairs for Smithfield Foods, one of the world’s leading vertically integrated protein companies.
