Smithfield Foods is giving veterans a chance to build a career making bacon while also "bringing home the bacon."
Through its Helping Our Heroes initiative, the company plans to hire thousands more veterans by 2025.
The pork producer and food processing company is headquartered in Smithfield, Virginia and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of WH Group of China. Founded in 1936, it has grown to become the largest pig and pork producer in the world,
Currently, the company employs 1,800 veterans, Navy veteran and Smithfield’s Military Talent Acquisition Manager Troy Vandenberg told CBS’ Eye on Veterans.
“When I was active duty Navy, no way did I think making bacon would be my career, but I love what I do every day,” he said.
Vandenberg spent 10 years in the Navy, primarily working on submarine repair and maintenance projects at the Norfolk Shipyard in Virginia.
He said Smithfield’s commitment to veterans is what attracted him to the company 4 years ago.
“In my job, it’s a commitment to hiring our veterans and making sure we understand the careers we have available for veterans,” he explained.
That commitment extends beyond simply hiring veterans, Vandenberg added. The company provides internal support to its veteran employees as well as to veterans in the communities it serves,
“It’s really looking out for the betterment of our veterans and their families,” said Vandenberg.
Check out the dozens of jobs that are available to veterans at Smithfield and learn more about its military hiring initiative here.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com
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