8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 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)   November 19, 2018

HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	1-2402	41-0319970
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification Number)

1 Hormel Place

Austin, MN  55912

(Address of Principal Executive Office)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (507) 437-5611

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:

[  ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[  ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[  ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[  ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  [  ]

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.[  ]

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 November 19, 2018, Hormel Foods Corporation (the Company) issued a press release announcing the election of Bill Newlands to its Board of Directors, effective November 19, 2018.

Mr. Newlands is president and chief operating officer of Constellation Brands. Mr. Newlands has been appointed president and chief executive officer of Constellation Brands, effective March 1, 2019. Mr. Newlands will join the Audit Committee of the Company's Board of Directors.

Mr. Newlands is not a party to any transaction with the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, and the Company has not entered into any material contracts or arrangements in connection with his election to the Board of Directors. Mr. Newlands will receive restricted stock awards under the Hormel Foods Corporation 2018 Incentive Compensation Plan.

The press release announcing this election is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

Section 9 — FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)                     Exhibit pursuant to Item 5.02

99.1Press release, dated November 19, 2018, announcing the election of Mr. Newlands to the Company’s Board of Directors

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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.

	HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION
		(Registrant)
Dated: November 19, 2018	By	/s/ JAMES P. SNEE
		JAMES P. SNEE
		Chairman of the Board, President and
		Chief Executive Officer
Dated: November 19, 2018	By	/s/ JAMES N. SHEEHAN
		JAMES N. SHEEHAN
		Senior Vice President and
		Chief Financial Officer

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EX-99.1

INVESTOR CONTACT:                                     MEDIA CONTACT:

Nathan Annis                                          Wendy Watkins

(507) 437-5248                                          (507) 437-5345

ir@hormel.com                                 media@hormel.com

BILL NEWLANDS ELECTED TO HORMEL FOODS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

AUSTIN, Minn. (Date, 2018) — Hormel Foods (NYSE: HRL), a global branded food company, announced today that Bill Newlands, president and chief operating officer, Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ and STZ.B), has been elected to the Hormel Foods Board of Directors, effective Nov.19, 2018. Newlands has been appointed president and chief executive officer of Constellation Brands, effective March 1, 2019.

“Bill is a highly regarded business leader, with significant experience in innovation, corporate development, consumer product marketing and international business,” said Jim Snee, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer at Hormel Foods. “Bill will be a great addition to our exceptional and dynamic slate of Directors.”

Newlands will join the Audit Committee of the Hormel Foods Board of Directors.

Newlands joined Constellation in 2015 as EVP, chief growth officer. In 2016 his role expanded to include leadership of the Wine + Spirits Division. In 2017 he became the company’s chief operating officer, and in 2018 his role expanded to include president. Newlands previously served as president, North America at Beam, Inc. Under his leadership, Beam became one of the fastest growing companies in its category. Previous appointments include: president, Beam Spirits U.S. (2008-2010); president, Beam Wine Estates (2005-2007); president and CEO, Allied Domecq Wines USA (2002-2005); CEO and board director, wine.com (1999-2001); and managing director, U.S. and global marketing officer, LVMH Chandon Estates (1996 – 1999). He is a member of the board of directors of Canopy Growth Corporation.

Newlands received a bachelor of science degree from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard Business School.

About Hormel Foods – Inspired People. Inspired Food.™Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minn., is a global branded food company with over $9 billion in annual revenues across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include Skippy^®, SPAM^®, Hormel^® Natural Choice^®, Applegate^®, Justin’s^®, Wholly Guacamole^®, Hormel^® Black Label^® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of “The 100 Best Corporate Citizens” by Corporate Responsibility Magazine for the ninth year in a row, and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. In 2016, the company celebrated its 125th anniversary and announced its new vision for the future - Inspired People. Inspired Food.™ - focusing on its legacy of innovation. For more information, visit www.hormelfoods.com and http://csr.hormelfoods.com/.