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)   February 19, 2019

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 7 - REGULATION FD

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure

On February 19, 2019, Hormel Foods Corporation issued a press release announcing it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its CytoSport business to PepsiCo, Inc. A copy of the release is furnished as Exhibit 99 to this Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Section 9 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)    Exhibits furnished pursuant to Item 7.01

99 Press release issued February 19, 2019

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.

	HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION
		(Registrant)
Dated: February 19, 2019	By	/s/ JAMES P. SNEE
		JAMES P. SNEE
		Chairman of the Board, President and
		Chief Executive Officer
Dated: February 19, 2019	By	/s/ JAMES N. SHEEHAN
		JAMES N. SHEEHAN
		Executive Vice President and
		Chief Financial Officer

3

EX-99

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:	Investor Relations contact:
Media Department	Nathan Annis
507-434-6352	507-437-5248
media@hormel.com	ir@hormel.com

Hormel Foods Announces the Sale of CytoSport to PepsiCo

AUSTIN, Minn., (February 19, 2019) – Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE:HRL), a global branded food company, announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its CytoSport business to PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ: PEP). The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to be completed in 30-60 days.

“PepsiCo has deep expertise and experience in the sports nutrition category and has been a long-standing distribution partner for CytoSport and the Muscle Milk^® brand, which puts them in a strong position to grow this dynamic business,” said Jim Snee, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer at Hormel Foods. “We look forward to working with PepsiCo to ensure a smooth transition for our team members, suppliers, customers and consumers.”

Further details regarding the transaction will be provided during the company's earnings call on February 21, 2019, at 8:00 a.m. CT (9:00 a.m. ET).

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®, Columbus® 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 10th 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/.