- link Copy Url - [ Share on twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Smithfield Foods Donates $25,000 to Expand Environmental Sustainability Research https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/238966?absolute=1&via=3blnews "link to 3 B L Media's Twitter") - [ Share on linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/238966?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Linkedin") - [ Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/238966?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Facebook") - [ email Share via email ](mailto:?subject=Smithfield Foods Donates $25,000 to Expand Environmental Sustainability Research &body=ESG News from Smithfield Foods https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/238966?absolute=1 "Share via email") [Responsible Production & Consumption](/CSR-News/responsible-production-consumption-0) # Smithfield Foods Donates $25,000 to Expand Environmental Sustainability Research ##### Smithfield Foods continues partnership with the University of Minnesota’s NorthStar Initiative to facilitate ongoing supply chain sustainability research Feb 14, 2019 11:00 AM ET Campaign: [Smithfield Foods: Our Environment](/news/campaign/smithfield-foods-our-environment) ![](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_2x/public/images/Smithfield_Farm_Truck.png) SMITHFIELD, Va., Feb. 14, 2019 /3BL Media/ — The [Smithfield Foundation](https://www.smithfieldfoods.com/key-outreach-efforts/smithfield-foundation), the philanthropic arm of [Smithfield Foods, Inc.](https://www.smithfieldfoods.com/), is pleased to announce a donation of $25,000 to continue its partnership with the [University of Minnesota’s NorthStar Initiative for Sustainable Enterprise](http://environment.umn.edu/discovery/nise/) (NorthStar), a nonprofit research entity that aims to improve the understanding of sustainability within global production and consumption systems, and to develop research and tools to improve the sustainability of these systems. Smithfield’s contribution to NorthStar will help facilitate further research on the supply chain models the company utilizes throughout its operations, giving Smithfield valuable tools and insights to leverage as part the company’s robust sustainability program and to help achieve its industry-leading carbon reduction goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 25 percent by 2025. Smithfield began its partnership with NorthStar in 2015. “We are pleased to contribute to the University of Minnesota’s NorthStar Initiative and to continue our research partnership,” said Stewart Leeth, vice president of regulatory affairs and chief sustainability officer for Smithfield Foods and vice president of the Smithfield Foundation. “The University’s research and analysis have been key to our efforts in meeting our industry-leading GHG goal and this partnership will help us continue that strategy and to further our mission of producing good food in a responsible way.” In December of 2016, Smithfield became the first major protein company to announce a [far-reaching GHG reduction goal](https://www.smithfieldfoods.com/newsroom/press-releases-and-news/smithfield-foods-leads-industry-as-first-major-protein-company-to-adopt-greenhouse-gas-reduction-goal) throughout its entire supply chain, from feed grain to packaged bacon, by 2025. This goal was established in concert with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), a leading environmental nonprofit organization that has partnered with Smithfield to help set and achieve the company’s sustainability initiatives. Smithfield collaborated with NorthStar to estimate its GHG footprint and, utilizing its vertically integrated supply chain, determined key changes to production at each stage of the supply chain that would create the largest impact. “We are thrilled to maintain our partnership with Smithfield to further provide research and intelligence that has the ability to make a difference, rather than simply provide information,” said Jennifer Schmitt, lead scientist and program director for the University of Minnesota’s NorthStar Initiative. “Our data has supported Smithfield in the past and the company has proven to be a fantastic partner who ultimately looks to make positive changes for its business and the industry overall.” Smithfield’s contribution to NorthStar will support further data research and policy focused on sustainability, as well as production consumption systems that ensure consumer health and food security. **About Smithfield Foods** Smithfield Foods is a $15 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield®, Eckrich®, Nathan’s Famous®, Farmland®, Armour®, Farmer John®, Kretschmar®, John Morrell®, Cook’s®, Gwaltney®, Carando®, Margherita®, Curly’s®, Healthy Ones®, Morliny®, Krakus®, and Berlinki®. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit [www.smithfieldfoods.com](http://www.smithfieldfoods.com/), and connect with us on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/SmithfieldFoods/), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/smithfieldfoods?lang=en), [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/smithfield-foods/), and [Instagram. ](https://instagram.com/smithfieldfoods/) **About** **the University of Minnesota’s NorthStar Initiative for Sustainable Enterprise** The NorthStar Initiative for Sustainable Enterprise (NorthStar) works with scholars and practitioners to improve the understanding of sustainability within global production and consumption systems and to develop research and tools to improve the sustainability of these systems. Through ongoing dialogue and collaboration between researchers and practitioners NorthStar has found that it becomes possible to achieve the twofold objectives of rigorous scientific output and relevant, accessible information for decision-making. For more information, visit [northstar.umn.edu](http://northstar.umn.edu/). \### **Media Contacts:** **Smithfield Foods, Inc. University of Minnesota** Lisa Martin Jennifer Schmitt (757) 365-1980 (612) 626-3637 [![](/sites/default/files/Clients/Smithfield_GFR_VERT_CMYK.png)](/profiles/smithfield-foods) ### More from Smithfield Foods ###### [Dominion Energy, Smithfield Foods Complete First-of-Its-Kind Renewable Natural Gas Project in Utah](/news/dominion-energy-smithfield-foods-complete-first-its-kind-renewable-natural-gas-project-utah) Dec 11, 2020 11:15 AM ET ###### [Smithfield Foods Contributes 80,000-Pound Protein Donation for 24th Annual Mayflower Marathon Food and Fund Drive](/news/smithfield-foods-contributes-80000-pound-protein-donation-24th-annual-mayflower-marathon-food) Nov 23, 2020 12:30 PM ET ###### [Smithfield Foods Announces $500,000 Grant to Support Education Pipeline for Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences](/news/smithfield-foods-announces-500000-grant-support-education-pipeline-minorities-agriculture) Nov 17, 2020 10:00 AM ET ###### [Smithfield Foods' Facilities Receive Sustainability Excellence in Manufacturing Awards](/news/smithfield-foods-facilities-receive-sustainability-excellence-manufacturing-awards) Nov 13, 2020 12:45 PM ET ###### [Smithfield Foods Launches "Helping Our Heroes" Initiative Supporting U.S. Veterans](/news/smithfield-foods-launches-helping-our-heroes-initiative-supporting-us-veterans) Nov 11, 2020 12:30 PM ET ###### [Smithfield Foods Donates Nearly 30,000 Pounds of Protein to Louisiana Foodbank in Wake of Hurricane Zeta](/news/smithfield-foods-donates-nearly-30000-pounds-protein-louisiana-foodbank-wake-hurricane-zeta) Nov 2, 2020 3:00 PM ET ###### [Smithfield Foods' Wilson, N.C. Facility Recognized with Manufacturing Leadership Award for Water Reduction Efforts](/news/smithfield-foods-wilson-nc-facility-recognized-manufacturing-leadership-award-water-reduction) Oct 23, 2020 2:15 PM ET ###### [Smithfield Foods Receives Best for Vets Employers Award for Second Consecutive Year](/news/smithfield-foods-receives-best-vets-employers-award-second-consecutive-year) Sep 30, 2020 11:00 AM ET