SMITHFIELD, Va. – Smithfield Foods Inc. rose 68 positions from its 2010 finish inNewsweek magazine's latest ranking of the environmental performance of America's 500 largest public companies.
Newsweek's 2011 Green Rankings placed Smithfield Foods at number 417, compared to 485 a year ago.

Newsweekcompares the actual environmental footprints; management performance, including policies, initiatives and controversies; and reporting practices of the 500 largest US companies in constructing this list. It partnered with two leading environmental research organizations, Trucost and Sustainalytics, to develop the rankings.

"It's obvious to me the hard work and dedication of our employees was the main reason why our company scored a significant improvement in Newsweek's assessment of 'green' companies," said C. Larry Pope, president and CEO of Smithfield Foods. "But that said, we're certainly not satisfied. Our mission is to be the most socially responsible food producer that we can be, and we strive for continual improvement.”