CSR Press Release

AUSTIN, Minn., May 04 /CSRwire/ - Hormel Foods announced today the release of the 2009 Hormel Foods Corporate Responsibility Report, available online at www.hormelfoods.com/csr. This is the third full report the company has released covering environmental and social performance.

"Our corporate responsibility report reflects our commitment to conduct business in a manner that minimizes our environmental impact and maximizes our social benefit, while providing value to our shareholders," said Jeffrey M. Ettinger, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer at Hormel Foods. "Every day we endeavor to follow the principles of 'Our Way' - our corporate values structure - as embodied in people, process, products, performance and philanthropy. The goals established in our report tell the story of our commitment, our progress and our future plans in each of these key areas."

The report includes details about the company's packaging minimization initiative, product development process, employee engagement, public policy involvement and states new goals for employee safety, supplier responsibility and greenhouse gas emissions.

Some key highlights about the company's corporate responsibility performance include:

• 7,275 fewer tons of solid waste sent to landfills


• 9 percent water use reduction since 2006


• 100 percent animal care requirements met by individuals who supply hogs to Hormel Foods


• $4.2 million donated as charitable contributions


• 1 million pounds of product donated to food banks


• 219,598 total hours spent on employee training


• $15.9 million distributed to eligible employees as part of company profit-sharing

Future plans are to continue to report annually, with the next report being released in May 2011 for data spanning November 2009 to October 2010.

About Hormel Foods
Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minn., is a multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer-branded food and meat products, many of which are among the best known and trusted in the food industry. The company leverages its extensive expertise, innovation and high competencies in pork and turkey processing and marketing to bring quality, value-added brands to the global marketplace. The company is a member of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. Hormel Foods was named one of "The 400 Best Big Companies in America" by Forbes magazine for 10 consecutive years. The company enjoys a strong reputation among consumers, retail grocers, foodservice and industrial customers for products highly regarded for quality, taste, nutrition, convenience and value. For more information, visit http://www.hormelfoods.com.

For more information, please contact:

For more from this organization: