Carando, Stop&Shop Serve Easter Lunch To Boston Shriners Hospitals For Children

BOSTON – ­­Carando Classic Italian Meats helped brighten the day for patients at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Boston this afternoon. Carando, along with Stop&Shop, served nearly 200 free Easter lunches to the patients, their families and the staff at the hospital. The lunch consisted of Carando's signature spiral ham, mashed potatoes, green beans and pumpkin pie. Following the feast, Carando and Stop&Shop delivered Easter baskets to all of the hospital's patients, who are being treated for burn injuries, cleft lip and palate and orthopaedic conditions.

"It's been our pleasure to serve everyone at the Boston Shriners Hospital," said Dan Incaudo, Vice President and General Manager for Carando Classic Italian Meats. "We know it's tough for a child to be in the hospital, especially during the holidays. Hopefully our lunch helped bring a smile to all of the families that are spending Easter here. Fortunately the kids are receiving the best possible care from an incredible medical team. We're proud to serve them, too, and show our thanks for a job well done."

The lunch is part of an ongoing campaign dubbed "Carando Cares," in which Carando, part of the John Morrell Food Group, a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, is giving back to local communities. Last year Carando served a warm Christmas dinner to all of the firefighters in its hometown of Springfield, Mass., as part of the campaign. The company plans to execute additional acts of giving later this year.

"It's very gratifying for us to offer support to our local communities," Incaudo said. "Whether it's showing our appreciation or offering assistance to a group in need, Carando is pleased to give back. We look forward to continuing this for years to come."

About Carando

All of our classic Italian meats stay true to the traditional recipes that our founder, Peter Carando, brought to America from his boyhood home in Torino, Italy. One taste is all it takes to discover the authentic Italian difference of Carando.

About John Morrell Food Group

With over a century and a half of experience, John Morrell Food Group brands have become respected and well known for providing premium-quality meat products to families across the United States. With products ranging from lunchmeat and franks to smoked sausage, bacon and pepperoni, the John Morrell Food Group is an important part of consumers' mealtimes. The John Morrell Food Group offers several national and regional brands including Armour®, Eckrich®, John Morrell®, Curly's®, Patrick Cudahy®, Carando®, Healthy Ones®, Margherita® Kretschmar® and LunchMakers®.

About Smithfield Foods

Smithfield Foods is a $13 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®, Farmland®, Armour®, Cook®, Gwaltney®, John Morrell®, Kretschmar®, Curly's®, Carando®, Margherita®, and Healthy Ones®. 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 and www.smithfieldcommitments.com.

About Shriners Hospitals for Children

Shriners Hospitals for Children is a pediatric health-care system of 22 hospitals dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing specialty care, innovative research and outstanding teaching programs. Children up to age 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal-cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the families' ability to pay. Shriners Hospitals for Childrenrelies on the generosity of donors to deliver this mission every day. For more information, please visit www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org.

Source: Smithfield Foods