Executive Change

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, DC 20549   FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 12, 2012 SMITHFIELD FOODS, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)   Virginia   1-15321   52-0845861     (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)   (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)     200 Commerce Street Smithfield, Virginia   23430     (Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)   Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (757) 365-3000 Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):     o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)   o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)   o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))   o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Section 5 - Corporate Governance and Management Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements Of Certain Officers. On June 12, 2012, the Compensation Committee of Smithfield Foods, Inc. (the “Company”) awarded performance share units to certain of its executive officers under the Company's 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan.  A summary of the performance share unit awards granted to certain of the Company's executive officers is set forth on Exhibit 99.1, which is incorporated herein by reference. Section 9 - Financial Statements and Exhibits Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.   (d) Exhibits   99.1 Summary of Performance Share Unit Awards to Certain Named Executive Officers granted on June 12, 2012. 2 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.     SMITHFIELD FOODS, INC.       Date: June 18, 2012   /s/ Michael H. Cole     Michael H. Cole     Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary 3 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit 99.1 Summary of Performance Share Unit Awards to Certain Named Executive Officers granted on June 12, 2012. 4