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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended July 26, 2009

or

For the transition period from                 to             

Commission File Number: 1-2402

HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(507) 437-5611

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

None

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  x  YES   o  NO

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  o  YES   o  NO

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  o  Yes  x  No

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements

HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

(In Thousands of Dollars)

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

(In Thousands of Dollars)

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

* Includes retrospective reclassification of shipping and handling expenses to cost of products sold from selling, general and administrative (See Note A).

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In Thousands of Dollars)

(Unaudited)

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

NOTE A                                    GENERAL

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Hormel Foods Corporation (the Company) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information, and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  Operating results for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.  The Company has evaluated all subsequent events through September 4, 2009, which is the date that the accompanying unaudited financial statements are being issued.  The balance sheet at October 26, 2008, has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.  For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 26, 2008.

Certain reclassifications of previously reported amounts have been made to conform to the current year presentation.  The reclassifications had no impact on net earnings as previously reported.

Change in Accounting Principle

In the first quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company changed its method of accounting for shipping and handling expenses and reclassified them from selling, general and administrative to cost of products sold.  This presentation is preferable because the inclusion of shipping and handling expenses in cost of products sold better reflects the cost of producing and distributing the Company’s products.  It also enhances the comparability of the financial statements with our industry peers.  As required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, the change has been reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations through retrospective application of the change in accounting principle.  The change resulted in a decrease in selling, general and administrative (and a corresponding increase in cost of products sold) for fiscal years 2008, 2007, and 2006 of $459,818, $411,726, and $409,487, respectively.  For the third quarter and nine months ended July 27, 2008, the reclassification totaled $116,648 and $338,663, respectively.  The change did not impact net earnings or net earnings per share as previously reported.

Investments

The Company maintains a rabbi trust to fund certain supplemental executive retirement plans and deferred income plans, which is included in other assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.  The securities held by the trust are classified as trading securities in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” and therefore, unrealized gains and losses associated with these investments are included in the Company’s earnings.  Gains related to securities still held by the trust were $5,674 and $11,522 for the quarter and nine months ended July 26, 2009, respectively, compared to losses of $4,795 and $8,604 for the quarter and nine months ended July 27, 2008.  The Company has begun to transition the majority of this portfolio to more fixed return investments to reduce the exposure to volatility in equity markets going forward.

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Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Non-cash investment activities presented on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows generally consist of unrealized gains or losses on the Company’s rabbi trust investments, amortization of affordable housing investments, and amortization of bond financing costs.  Additionally, the Company had a $2,400 investment write-off in the third quarter of fiscal 2008.  The noted investments are included in other assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.  Changes in the value of these investments are included in the Company’s net earnings and are presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as either interest and investment income or interest expense, as appropriate.

Guarantees

The Company enters into various agreements guaranteeing specified obligations of affiliated parties.  The Company’s guarantees either terminate in one year or remain in place until such time as the Company revokes the agreement.  The Company currently provides a revocable standby letter of credit for obligations of an affiliated party that may arise under worker compensation claims.  This guarantee provided by the Company amounted to $3,890 as of July 26, 2009, and is not reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

The Company has also guaranteed a $9,000 loan of an independent farm operator.  The loan arose to provide financing to develop a hog growing operation on a tract of land in Arizona, and the term of the loan runs through November 2023.  Approximately $2,900 of the loan proceeds have been spent to date, with the remaining $6,100 being held in an escrow account.  The Company is obligated to make payments if the farm operator fails to do so, and the Company has made immaterial payments in fiscal 2008 and 2009.  As there is no current intention to spend additional funds on this project, the Company estimates its maximum liability remaining under this guarantee to be approximately $2,400 plus interest.  The portion of the potential obligation currently held in escrow does not represent a risk to the Company and is therefore not reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 165, “Subsequent Events” (SFAS 165).  The pronouncement sets forth the period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity shall evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements, the circumstances under which an entity shall recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements, and the disclosures that an entity shall make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date.  SFAS 165 did not result in a significant change from current practice, as it requires an entity to recognize in the financial statements the effects of all subsequent events that provide additional evidence about conditions that existed at the date of the balance sheet.  Subsequent events that provide evidence about conditions that did not exist at the date of the balance sheet but arose after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued (or are available to be issued) are not recognized, but may require additional disclosure.  Finally, SFAS 165 requires disclosure of the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated, and the basis for that date.  SFAS 165 was effective for interim or annual financial periods ending after June 15, 2009, and therefore, the Company adopted SFAS 165 in the third quarter of fiscal 2009.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (SFAS 161).  The pronouncement amends and expands the disclosure requirements previously required by SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.”  This statement requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements.  SFAS 161 was effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008.  The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 161 in the second quarter of fiscal 2009, and the required disclosures are provided in Note H — Derivatives and Hedging.  Adoption did not impact consolidated net earnings, cash flows, or financial position.

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In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (SFAS 141(R)).  The pronouncement establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase, and determines what information to disclose to enable the users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination.  SFAS 141(R) is effective for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008.  Generally, the effect of SFAS 141(R) will depend on future acquisitions.  However, the accounting for any tax uncertainties will be subject to the provisions of SFAS 141(R).  The Company will adopt SFAS 141(R) at the beginning of fiscal 2010, and is currently assessing the impact of adopting this accounting standard.

In December 2007, the FASB also issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — an amendment of ARB No. 51” (SFAS 160).  The pronouncement establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary.  It also amends certain of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51’s consolidation procedures for consistency with the requirements of SFAS 141(R).  SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company will adopt SFAS 160 at the beginning of fiscal 2010, and is currently assessing the impact of adopting this accounting standard.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (SFAS 159).  The pronouncement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value, which provides the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently, without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions.  SFAS 159 was effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and therefore, the Company adopted SFAS 159 at the beginning of fiscal 2009.  The adoption of SFAS 159 did not impact consolidated net earnings, cash flows, or financial position, as the Company did not elect the fair value option.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS 157).  The pronouncement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  SFAS 157 applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, and does not require any new fair value measurements.  SFAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  However, in February 2008, the FASB also issued FASB Staff Position FAS 157-2 (FSP 157-2), which delayed the effective date of SFAS 157 by one year for nonfinancial assets and liabilities measured at fair value that are recognized or disclosed on a nonrecurring basis (e.g. goodwill, intangible assets, and long-lived assets measured at fair value for impairment testing or nonfinancial assets and liabilities initially measured at fair value during a business combination).  Therefore, the Company adopted SFAS 157 at the beginning of fiscal 2009 for its financial assets and liabilities.  Adoption did not impact net earnings, cash flows, or financial position, but resulted in additional disclosures. (See further discussion in Note I — Fair Value Measurements.)  Subject to the deferral allowed by FSP 157-2, the Company will apply the provisions of SFAS 157 to its nonfinancial assets and liabilities in fiscal 2010, and is currently assessing the impact of this adoption.

In September 2006, the FASB also issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans — an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R).”  For fiscal years ending after December 15, 2008, the pronouncement requires plan sponsors to measure defined benefit plan assets and obligations as of the date of the plan sponsor’s fiscal year end statement of financial position.  The Company adopted these measurement date provisions at the beginning of fiscal 2009, and elected to use the 15 month alternative measurement approach as an August 1 measurement date had previously been used.  The Company recognized an $11,793 decrease in retained earnings, an $8,416 increase in pension and post-retirement benefits, a $1,459 decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss, a $1,006 decrease in pension assets, and a $912 increase in deferred tax liabilities, upon adoption.

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NOTE B            ACQUISITIONS

On June 13, 2008, the Company purchased Boca Grande Foods, Inc. (Boca Grande) for a purchase price of $23,483 cash, including related costs.  Boca Grande manufactures, sells, and distributes liquid portion products, and operates a facility in Duluth, Georgia.  This acquisition provides additional capacity, production capabilities, and customers for liquid portion products for Diamond Crystal Brands within the Specialty Foods segment.

Operating results for Boca Grande are included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations from the date of acquisition.  Pro forma results are not presented, as the acquisition is not material to the consolidated Company.

NOTE C            STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company has stock incentive plans for employees and non-employee directors, including stock options and nonvested shares.  The Company’s policy is to grant options with the exercise price equal to the market price of the common stock on the date of grant.  Ordinary options vest over periods ranging from six months to four years and expire ten years after the grant date.  The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense ratably over the shorter of the requisite service period or vesting period.  The fair value of stock-based compensation granted to retirement-eligible individuals is expensed at the time of grant.

A reconciliation of the number of options outstanding and exercisable (in thousands) as of July 26, 2009, and changes during the nine months then ended, are as follows:

The weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options granted, and the total intrinsic value of options exercised during the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal years 2009 and 2008, are as follows:

The fair value of each ordinary option award is calculated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model utilizing the following weighted-average assumptions.  No options were granted in the three month periods ended July 26, 2009, or July 27, 2008.

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As part of the annual valuation process, the Company reassesses the appropriateness of the inputs used in the valuation models.  The Company establishes the risk-free interest rate using stripped U.S. Treasury yields as of the grant date where the remaining term is approximately the expected life of the option.  The dividend yield is set based on the Company’s targeted dividend yield.  The expected volatility assumption is set based primarily on historical volatility.  As a reasonableness test, implied volatility from exchange traded options is also examined to validate the volatility range obtained from the historical analysis.  The expected life assumption is set based on an analysis of past exercise behavior by option holders.  In performing the valuations for ordinary option grants, the Company has not stratified option holders as exercise behavior has historically been consistent across all employee groups.

The Company’s nonvested shares vest after five years or upon retirement.  A reconciliation of the nonvested shares (in thousands) as of July 26, 2009, and changes during the nine months then ended, is as follows:

No nonvested shares were granted or vested in the three month periods ended July 26, 2009, or July 27, 2008.  The weighted-average grant date fair value of nonvested shares granted, the total fair value of nonvested shares granted, and the fair value of shares that have vested during first nine months of fiscal years 2009 and 2008, are as follows:

Stock-based compensation expense, along with the related income tax benefit, for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal years 2009 and 2008 are presented in the table below.

At July 26, 2009, there was $16,626 of total unrecognized compensation expense from stock-based compensation arrangements granted under the plans.  This compensation is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.4 years.  During the quarter and nine months ended July 26, 2009, cash received from stock option exercises was $476 and $1,935, compared to $255 and $10,994 for the quarter and nine months ended July 27, 2008.  The total tax benefit to be realized for tax deductions from these option exercises for the quarter and nine months ended July 26, 2009, was $403 and $1,002, respectively, compared to $731 and $10,128 in the comparable periods in fiscal 2008.  The amounts reported for tax deductions for option exercises in the quarter and nine months ended July 26, 2009 include $397 and $987, respectively, of excess tax benefits compared to $644 and $9,747, respectively, of excess tax benefits in the comparable periods last year, which are included in “Other” under financing activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (with an offsetting amount in other operating activities).

Shares issued for option exercises and nonvested shares may be either authorized but unissued shares, or shares of treasury stock acquired in the open market or otherwise.

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NOTE D                 GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three and nine month periods ended July 26, 2009, are presented in the tables below.  Additions and adjustments during fiscal 2009 primarily relate to the Boca Grande acquisition.

The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization for definite-lived intangible assets are presented below.

Amortization expense was $2,563 and $7,735 for the three and nine months ended July 26, 2009, respectively, compared to $2,740 and $8,888 for the three and nine months ended July 27, 2008.

Estimated annual amortization expense for the five fiscal years after October 26, 2008, is as follows:

The carrying amounts for indefinite-lived intangible assets are presented in the table below.

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NOTE E                 EARNINGS PER SHARE DATA

The following table sets forth the denominator for the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

NOTE F                 COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Components of comprehensive income, net of taxes, are:

The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, are as follows :

NOTE G                 INVENTORIES

Principal components of inventories are:

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NOTE H                 DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING

The Company uses hedging programs to manage price risk associated with commodity purchases.  These programs utilize futures contracts and swaps to manage the Company’s exposure to price fluctuations in the commodities markets.  The Company has determined its hedge programs to be highly effective in offsetting the changes in fair value or cash flows generated by the items hedged.

Cash Flow Hedges:  The Company utilizes corn and soybean meal futures to offset the price fluctuation in the Company’s future direct grain purchases, and has entered into various swaps to hedge the purchases of grain and natural gas at certain plant locations.  The financial instruments are designated and accounted for as cash flow hedges, and the Company measures the effectiveness of the hedges on a regular basis.  Effective gains or losses related to these cash flow hedges are reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss and reclassified into earnings, through cost of products sold, in the period or periods in which the hedged transactions affect earnings.  Any gains or losses related to hedge ineffectiveness are recognized in the current period cost of products sold.  The Company typically does not hedge its grain exposure beyond 24 months and its natural gas exposure beyond 36 months.  As of July 26, 2009, the Company had the following outstanding commodity futures contracts and swaps that were entered into to hedge forecasted purchases:

As of July 26, 2009, the Company has included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, hedging losses of $50,048 (before tax) relating to its positions.  The Company expects to recognize the majority of these losses over the next 12 months.

Fair Value Hedges:  The Company utilizes futures to minimize the price risk assumed when forward priced contracts are offered to the Company’s commodity suppliers.  The intent of the program is to make the forward priced commodities cost nearly the same as cash market purchases at the date of delivery.  The futures contracts are designated and accounted for as fair value hedges, and the Company measures the effectiveness of the hedges on a regular basis.  Changes in the fair value of the futures contracts, along with the gain or loss on the hedged purchase commitment, are marked-to-market through earnings and are recorded on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as a current asset and liability, respectively.  Effective gains or losses related to these fair value hedges are recognized through cost of products sold in the period or periods in which the hedged transactions affect earnings.  Any gains or losses related to hedge ineffectiveness are recognized in the current period cost of products sold.  As of July 26, 2009, the Company had the following outstanding commodity futures contracts designated as fair value hedges:

Other Derivatives:  During fiscal 2009, the Company has held certain futures contract positions as part of a merchandising program and to manage the Company’s exposure to fluctuations in foreign currencies.  The Company has not applied hedge accounting to these positions.  All foreign exchange contracts were closed as of the end of the third quarter.  As of July 26, 2009, the Company had the following outstanding commodity futures contracts related to its merchandising program:

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Fair Values:  The fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments as of July 26, 2009, were as follows:

(1)  Amounts represent the gross fair value of derivative assets and liabilities.  In accordance with FASB Staff Position FIN No. 39-1, the Company nets its derivative assets and liabilities, including cash collateral, when a master netting arrangement exists between the Company and the counterparty to the derivative contract.  See Note I - Fair Value Measurements for a discussion of the net amounts as reported in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

Derivative Gains and Losses:  Gains or losses (before tax) related to the Company’s derivative instruments for the quarter ended July 26, 2009, were as follows: