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): June 19, 2009

DEL MONTE FOODS COMPANY

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Delaware	001-14335	13-3542950
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
One Market @ The Landmark San Francisco, California		94105
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (415) 247-3000

N/A

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

     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

The information contained in this Item 7.01 and in the accompanying Exhibit 99.1 shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

On June 19, 2009, Del Monte Foods Company announced via press release the declaration of a cash dividend of $0.05 per share of Company common stock, payable on August 6, 2009 to stockholders of record as of the close of business, Eastern Standard Time, on July 23, 2009. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Section 9 – Financial Statements and Exhibits

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

The information contained in this Item 9.01 and in the accompanying Exhibit 99.1 shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit	Description
99.1	Del Monte Foods Company Press Release dated June 19, 2009

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SIGNATURE

     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.

	Del Monte Foods Company
Date: June 19, 2009	By:	/s/ James Potter
		Name:	James Potter
		Title:	Secretary

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit	Description
99.1	Del Monte Foods Company Press Release dated June 19, 2009

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EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

NEWS RELEASE

DEL MONTE FOODS COMPANY INCREASES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND
25% TO $0.05 PER SHARE

SAN FRANCISCO, June 19, 2009 - Del Monte Foods Company (NYSE: DLM) today announced that its Board of Directors has approved a 25% increase in the quarterly dividend from $0.04 to $0.05 per common share. The dividend is payable on August 6, 2009 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on July 23, 2009.

“We are pleased to announce an increase in our quarterly dividend which reflects our confidence in our ability to execute our Accelerated Growth Plan to deliver long-term sustainable EPS growth, as well as strong cash flow,” said Richard G. Wolford, Chairman and CEO of Del Monte Foods. “Solid cash flow generation in fiscal 2009, from both the Company’s operations as well as the divestiture of StarKist seafood, allowed Del Monte to reduce leverage to the low end of our targets resulting in increased financial flexibility and the opportunity to return more value to our shareholders. Increasing our dividend demonstrates our confidence in Del Monte’s long-term growth opportunities as well as a strong commitment to continuing to create shareholder value.”

The Company expects quarterly dividends to continue to be paid during the first week of February, May, August and November and anticipates a total annual dividend of $0.20 per common share. However, the actual declaration of future cash dividends, and the establishment of record and payment dates, will be subject to final determination by the Board of Directors each quarter after its review of our then-current strategy, applicable debt covenants and financial performance and position, among other things.

About Del Monte Foods

Del Monte Foods is one of the country’s largest and most well-known producers, distributors and marketers of premium quality, branded food and pet products for the U.S. retail market, generating approximately $3.6 billion in net sales in fiscal 2009. With a powerful portfolio of brands including Del Monte^®, S&W^®, Contadina ^®, College Inn^®, Meow Mix^®, Kibbles ‘n Bits ^®, 9Lives^®, Milk-Bone^®, Pup-Peroni^®, Meaty Bone^®, Snausages ^® and Pounce^®, Del Monte products are found in eight out of ten U.S. households. The Company also produces, distributes and markets private label food and pet products. For more information on Del Monte Foods Company (NYSE: DLM) visit the Company’s website at www.delmonte.com.

Del Monte. Nourishing Families. Enriching Lives. Every Day.™

This press release contains forward-looking statements conveying management’s expectations as to the future based on current plans, estimates and projections. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and the Company cautions you that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any such forward-looking statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release include statements related to our anticipated total annual dividend of $0.20 per share of common stock.

There can be no assurance that dividends will be declared or paid in the future. The actual declaration and payment of future dividends and the establishment of record and payment dates, if any, are subject to determination by our Board of Directors each quarter after its review of our then-current strategy, applicable debt covenants and financial performance and position, among other things. Our declaration and payment of future dividends is subject to risks and uncertainties, including: deterioration of our financial performance or position; inability to declare a dividend in compliance with applicable laws or debt covenants; an increase in our cash needs or decrease in available cash; and the business judgment of the Board of Directors that a declaration of a dividend is not in Del Monte Foods Company’s best interests, as well as other risks that may be detailed, from time to time, in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Factors that could affect our financial performance or position, compliance with applicable debt covenants, or our cash flow include those risks and uncertainties detailed, from time to time, in Del Monte Foods Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements included in this release, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company does not undertake to update any of these statements in light of new information or future events.

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CONTACTS:

Media Contact	Analyst/Investor Contact
Brandy Bergman/Robin Weinberg	Jennifer Garrison/Katherine Husseini
Sard Verbinnen	Del Monte Foods
(212) 687-8080	(415) 247-3382
	investor.relations@delmonte.com