SMITHFIELD, VA. – Farmland, a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods Inc., has launched a tour of the Midwest to show its appreciation for the work and commitment of the region’s farming communities, agriculture industries and grocery/retail establishments. The 13-week Farmland Honoring the Heartland Tour will honor those who hold the agri-food chain together and showcase the integral role the heartland plays by delivering grab-n-go meals and providing monetary donations to support the next generation of farmers.  

Company representatives will use the Farmland Honoring the Heartland Tour food truck during stops at various locations two to three times per week in Midwestern neighborhoods to distribute meals and make donations to the National Future Farmers of America (FFA). The donations will assist the FFA in its vision to grow leaders, build communities and strengthen agriculture at the local, state and national levels.

The tour began last weekend with a $25,000 donation to FFA's "Living to Serve" platform, a program that empowers students to make a positive impact in their community through service engagement, and a $5,000 donation to the Missouri FFA Association. The Farmland food truck also supplied lunches to essential grocery store employees during the Gladstone, Mo., donation event in gratitude of the courageous work during the past year to ensure neighbors still had access to fresh food.

"Localized farming and agricultural communities are the backbone of our nation's food supply, and Farmland's safe, affordable, and quality products made from pork raised on American farms are a testament to the hard work and outputs from our partners in this industry," said Erin Thacker, brand manager for Farmland. "We're excited to launch the Honoring the Heartland Tour to give back to the unsung heroes of the agricultural community who work tirelessly to keep our country fed, and to help ensure the next generation of farmers are equipped for success through our partnership with the National FFA Organization."

"We are thankful for Farmland's ongoing support of the National FFA Organization's mission," said Molly Ball, chief marketing officer for the National FFA Organization and president of the National FFA Foundation. "We're happy to join in honoring the unsung heroes of farming and agriculture, many of whom are former FFA members."

The schedule and route of the Honoring the Heartland Tour is available on Facebook (@FarmlandFoods), Instagram (@farmlandfoods) and Twitter (@FarmlandFoods).