Hormel Foods Launches 2009 Corporate Responsibility Report

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.