text: **PART I**
  
  **Item 1.*BUSINESS***
  
  **Available Information**
  
  The Company makes available, free of charge on its website at*www.hormel.com*, its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, 
  current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 
  1934. These reports are accessible under the "Investor" caption of the Company's website and are available as soon as reasonably practicable after such 
  material is electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is within 24 hours. 
  
  The Company has adopted a Code of Ethical Business Conduct that covers its officers and directors, which is available on the Company's website, free 
  of charge, under the caption "Corporate." The Company also adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are available on the Company's website, 
  free of charge, under the caption "Investor." 
  
  **(a)*General Development of Business***
  
  Hormel Foods Corporation, a Delaware corporation, was founded by George A. Hormel in 1891 in Austin, Minnesota, as George A. Hormel & Company. 
  The Company started as a processor of meat and food products and continues in this line of business. The Company name was changed to Hormel 
  Foods Corporation on January 31, 1995. The Company is primarily engaged in the production of a variety of meat and food products and the marketing of 
  those products throughout the United States. Although pork and turkey remain the major raw materials for Hormel products, the Company has 
  emphasized for several years the manufacture and distribution of branded, consumer packaged items rather than the commodity fresh meat business. 