A Look Back at 2022

… and for a company that has been celebrating a long and steady string of successes since opening its doors in 1891, that’s saying something. This year saw the continuation of our best-selling beloved brands, the addition of new products and labels, an ever-deeper legacy of giving back and so much more. As we peek around the corner to 2023, hold on to your hat. You haven’t seen anything yet!

It’s Nuts

The Planters^® brand team moved into a new home in downtown Chicago and is pleased with the space, which features a breathtaking view of Lake Michigan. Between hanging with Ken Joeng and Joel McHale for their Big Game spot and kicking things up with the launch of Planters^® sweet & spicy dry roasted peanuts, they have been busy, but not too busy to open a new R&D facility in Northbrook, Ill.

We are so proud of our Peanutters, who spent the summer and fall traveling throughout the United States and growing their TikTok following. Check out @plantersnutmobile if you haven’t already. ;-)

@plantersnutmobile

For The Win Chili Cheese Dip

We’re still not over the excitement of the game-day appetizer innovation that combines delicious Hormel^® chili and cheese inside a fully functioning half-barrel keg. We were happy to see so many people sharing our enthusiasm for this special creation, and we had a blast delivering the keg to our lucky winner.

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All About Nut Butters

Justin’s (Boulder, Colo.) unveiled a big change in the name of sustainability — making a transition to jars that use 30% less plastic. The more environmentally friendly jars began appearing on shelves in the spring, and we are delighted that they are everywhere now. While we all know how enjoyable Justin’s^® products are, it’s nice to receive recognition from outside the family! Justin’s^® peanut butter cups were named best vegan candy in the Veggie Awards sponsored by VegNews, and Justin’s^® dark chocolate chip almond butter protein bars won best healthy snack from Cosmo Snack Awards. Mindful Awards also cited Justin’s for having the nut butter product of the year. If you’re ever over in Boulder, stop by to say hello!

Right in time for National Peanut Butter Day, the SKIPPY^® brand took up baking and we’ve all benefited from the goodness they churn out in the kitchen! They have really gotten into playing with recipes since rolling out their peanut butter cookie doughnut. SKIPPY^® peanut butter was the secret behind a collab between Ovenly and The Donut Project, New York City’s most creative bakery. Our nutty family members have been glad to serve as our designated taste-testers, as they understandably have an ideal palate for this sort of thing.

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Evolving Hot Dogs

Applegate Farms released Do Good Dog™ hot dogs, made from beef sourced from verified regenerative U.S. grasslands. We love the commitment of our Applegate team members! We’re all humbled by their dedication to making a positive impact on the environment through regenerative agriculture, and these dogs taste great too. Incidentally, People Magazine Food Awards selected the Do Good Dog™ hot dogs as the best hot dog. Prepared Foods Spirit of Innovation Awards gave our favorite hot dog a special judges award as well.

A SPAMtastic™ Year

The SPAM^® brand has sizzled in millions of kitchens since it was first introduced in 1937. It has evolved from a wartime staple to a trending ingredient on TikTok, a celebrity-chef go-to, the inspiration for a 16,000-square-foot museum and the reason for an annual Hawaiian street festival and more. The iconic brand marked 85 momentous years in style. And not to brag, but the SPAM^® brand team just achieved eight consecutive years of record sales. This spring, the team visited New York City and Los Angeles to sample delicious bites from Asian culinary tastemakers and to celebrate local artists and musicians with Omsom.

Good tidings we bring to you in this tin. The limited-edition SPAM^® figgy pudding variety released for the holidays enchanted us with its creativity, comfort and nostalgia, thanks to a blend of warm seasonal spices. (Feel free to sing this version when you’re out caroling.) SPAM^® figgy pudding shows us all how one dish can transform into generations of traditions, each leaving its own mark.

Giving Back with MegaMex Foods

In September, the Herdez^® brand team commemorated Hispanic Heritage Month in San Francisco during the Giants versus LA Dodgers three-day game series. Team members interacted with fans, handed out coupons and celebrated the important contributions that Hispanic coaches, players and fans make to the game often called America’s greatest pastime.

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Just in time to celebrate National Guacamole Day on Sept. 16, the WHOLLY^® Guacamole brand team launched the national #GuacOClock campaign to support families during breakfast, lunch and snacks with school back in session. The WHOLLY^® Guacamole brand team made a charitable donation to the nonprofit KABOOM! for future play-area builds around the United States and participated in an event with the Anaheim Ducks Foundation and KABOOM! to build a Ducks-themed playground. Volunteers received plenty of WHOLLY^® goods to go along with their charitable work.

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Turkey Time

To recognize the unsung heroes among us, the Jennie-O foodservice team partnered with esteemed chef, cookbook author and beloved TV personality Carla Hall to honor school cafeteria staff throughout the United States. Jennie-O team members hosted School Cafeteria Takeovers in Knoxville, Tenn., and Los Angeles, Calif., in fall 2022, with more planned for the months ahead. The remarkable moments of these school visits will stay with our family forever.

They also debuted a new campaign featuring The Queen of Protein and teamed up with a true star for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade^®. They were “Straight Up” thrilled to have Paula Abdul join them for her first-ever appearance at the world-famous event. The legendary singer, dancer, choreographer, actress and television personality performed her smash hit for the millions in attendance and even more watching at home. What an unforgettable occasion for our family during what’s already such a special time of year.

@jennieobrand
Today is the day! The Big Turkey Spectacular is returning to the 96th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade^® with Paula Abdul making her first appearance at the event on our float. Tune into NBC at 9 am in all time zones or stream it on Peacock.

♬ Rockin – Chris Alan Lee

A Sizzling Spot

The Black Label^® bacon brand team finished out the year by celebrating the irresistible peacemaker (or “piecemaker,” as it were) that is delicious, cravable bacon in a new TV spot.

Doing Good

Our Hormel Foods family was grateful to again be named one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by 3BL Media. The 2022 ranking recognizes outstanding environmental, social and governance transparency and performance among the 1,000 largest U.S. public companies. We have been included on the 100 Best Corporate Citizens list 13 times. We also made Newsweek’s America’s Most Responsible Companies List for the third year in a row as well as being named as one of America’s most trustworthy companies for the first time. Additionally, our CEO Jim Snee was named 2022 Responsible CEO of the Year for transformative leadership by 3BL Media. In another first, we were ranked on the Investor’s Business Daily annual report of the 100 best ESG companies. The list recognizes companies with superior environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings combined with strong fundamental and technical stock performance. In addition, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ranked Hormel Foods in the top 100 for green power use.

Not to brag, but it’s been a phenomenal year for all of us. =) From our family to yours, we wish you the cheeriest holiday season and a very happy new year!

Warm regards,
The inspired team at Hormel Foods