JBS USA and Pilgrim's Pride have established a program allowing employees in good standing and their dependent children to attend a two-year community college free of charge. Both companies have established partnerships with a number of community colleges in areas where they operate in addition to an online education program. Participating colleges include Riverside City in Riverside, CA., Aims Community College in Greeley, CO, Central Community College in Grand Island, NE, Bridgerland Technical College, Hyrum, UT and others to be announced.
In commenting on the program, Fabio Sandri, CEO of Pilgrim's Pride stated, "Better Futures will open doors for our team members and their families to learn and grow as they work to achieve their dreams". He added, "we believe in the power of education to improve lives in the Better Futures program is an extension of our promised offer opportunities to our team members". Andre Nogueira, CEO of JBS USA stated. "our Better Futures program removes the biggest financial barrier associated with going to college and it gives our team members and their families the opportunity to reap the benefits an education can provide".
The JBS USA and Pilgrim's Pride initiative was praised by John Boehner, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and a former Chairman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce who serves as a member of the JBS USA Advisory Board. He opined "as a longtime advocate for ensuring access to quality education, I believe Better Futures is the type of corporate initiative that can transform lives, families and communities".
The Better Futures program follows introduction of the Hometown Strong initiative to assist communities where JBS USA and Pilgrim's Pride team members live and work. The combined companies have invested over $50 million in Hometown Strong to improve the life of residents in communities where JBS USA and Pilgrim's Pride operate.