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)   April 4, 2005

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:

o  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Section 7 – REGULATION FD

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure

On April 4, 2005, the Company issued a press release announcing the closing of the acquisition of Lloyd’s Barbeque Company.  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

(c)	Exhibits furnished pursuant to Item 7.01
		99	Press release issued April 4, 2005

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:	April 4, 2005	By	/s/JEFFREY M. ETTINGER
			JEFFREY M. ETTINGER
			President and Chief Operating Officer
Dated:	April 4, 2005	By	/s/JAMES N. SHEEHAN
			JAMES N. SHEEHAN
			Vice President and Controller

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EX-99

Exhibit 99

Fred Halvin

Director, Investor Relations

507-437-5007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HORMEL FOODS ACQUISITION OF LLOYD’S BARBEQUE COMPANY COMPLETED

AUSTIN, Minn.,  April 4, 2005 – Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL) closed on its acquisition of Lloyd’s Barbeque Company from General Mills (NYSE: GIS) today.

Terms were not disclosed.

About Hormel Foods Corporation

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minn., is a multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer-branded food and meat products, many of which are among the best known and trusted in the food industry.  The company leverages its extensive expertise, innovation and high competencies in pork and turkey processing and marketing to bring quality, value-added brands to the global marketplace.  For each of the past five years, Hormel Foods was named one of “The 400 Best Big Companies in America” by Forbes magazine.

The company enjoys a strong reputation among consumers, retail grocers, and foodservice and industrial customers for products highly regarded for quality, taste, nutrition, convenience and value.  For more information, visit www.hormel.com.

About Lloyd’s Barbeque Company

Lloyd’s Barbeque Company pioneered the heat-and-eat barbecue meat category 25 years ago. Since then, the company has perfected its quality line of authentic pork and beef barbecue ribs and shredded barbecue chicken, pork and beef available nationwide in the grocer’s meat case. Lloyd’s is located in St. Paul, Minn.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information based on management’s current views and assumptions. Actual events may differ.  Please refer to the Cautionary Statement Relevant to Forward-Looking Statements and Information that appears on Exhibit 99.1 of the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 30, 2004, which can be accessed at http://www.hormel.com.

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