Source: Lisa M. Keefe, MEATINGPLACE, 8/22/11

The annual corporate sustainability report produced by Smithfield Foods Inc. this year topped the list of food and beverage companies nationwide producing such reports.

Smithfield earned the only “A+” rating from Claremont McKenna College’s Roberts Environmental Center for its 2009-10 sustainability reporting. The Roberts center each year screens and rates corporate sustainability reports and websites for several industries, using its Pacific Sustainability Index (PSI). Claremont McKenna is located in Claremont, Calif.

Smithfield Foods received an 'A' from the college in 2009.

In its summary of Smithfield's sustainability reporting, the center said in part, "Smithfield Foods' Corporate Social Responsibility Report includes the important sustainability information we are looking for, including energy consumption and water used. In addition, the company does a good job reporting on climate change, specifically reducing the environmental impacts identified by environmental management systems."

"We are very gratified to receive the Roberts Environmental Center's top grade because it provides further validation that our employees are working very hard to make our company's commitment to corporate sustainability a reality," said C. Larry Pope, president and chief executive officer.

Following Smithfield on the list were Tyson (No. 4), ConAgra (No. 8), Sara Lee (No. 10), Hormel (No. 16), Pilgrim’s Pride (No. 21), Kraft Foods (No. 26), Seaboard Corp. (No. 33), Sanderson Farms (No. 40).
Smithfield Foods is a $12 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer.

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