John Morrell Supports Local Hunger Relief

John Morrell Food Group has localized its commitment to fighting hunger in Utah. Together with Associated Food Stores, the company made a donation of 5,000 pounds of John Morrell ham to Utah Food Bank today. The event is a local complement to the company's commitment to Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign, a national organization working to end childhood hunger in America. John Morrell Food Group announced in October that it was joining parent company Smithfield Foods in supporting No Kid Hungry's efforts to ensure all children in America have the healthy food they need. "Everyone at John Morrell Food Group is passionate about raising childhood hunger awareness and helping families get the nutrition they need," says Chuck Gitkin, vice president of marketing and R&D, John Morrell Food Group. "Joining our parent company, Smithfield Foods, this fall in supporting the No Kid Hungry campaign was a great step toward making a difference. We recognize hunger is a nationwide, ever-increasing trend; but with events like today at the Utah Food Bank and with the support of Associated Food Stores, we are able to reach those in need locally, one community at a time." Utah Food Bank appreciates John Morrell Food Group's commitment to Fighting Hunger Statewide this holiday season, says Ginette Bott, Utah Food Bank chief development officer. "We are proud to partner with an organization that supports hunger on both a national level through their support of Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign, as well as on a local level through their ham donation to Utah Food Bank." Twenty-two percent of children in Utah struggle with hunger. Throughout the state, the No Kid Hungry campaign supports access to free meals in the summer and empowers families with skills to prepare healthy and affordable meals. For more information about No Kid Hungry and to join John Morrell in supporting the campaign, please click here. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500"] l-r: Nate Call, food procurement manager, Utah Food Bank; Jim Yorgason, chief executive officer, Utah Food Bank; Clark Wood, chief operations officer, Utah Food Bank; A.J. Miller, senior brand manager, John Morrell Food Group; Ginette Bott, chief development officer, Utah Food Bank; Lisa Gates, account manager, John Morrell Food Group; Steve Hone, sales manager, John Morrell Food Group; Kevin Beal, sales manager, G&G Marketing; and Kris Romeril, communications and public relations manager, Associated Food Stores[/caption]