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): March 30, 2005

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 5 – Corporate Governance and Management

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.

On March 30, 2005, the Board of Directors of Del Monte Foods Company appointed Victor L. Lund as a director of the Company, to fill an existing vacancy on the Company’s Board of Directors. Mr. Lund was appointed as a Class I director and consequently will hold office until the Company’s 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, subject to his earlier resignation, removal or death.

Mr. Lund has not been appointed to any committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. Currently, the Board does not anticipate making any such appointments until its meeting following the 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, at which time, in accordance with the Company’s regular corporate calendar, the Board will make appointments to its various standing committees.

On March 30, 2005, the Board of Directors of Del Monte Corporation, the Company’s wholly-owned operating subsidiary, also appointed Mr. Lund as a director of Del Monte Corporation.

Section 7 – Regulation FD

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure

The information contained in this Item 7.01 and in the accompanying exhibit 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 March 31, 2005, Del Monte Foods Company announced via press release the appointment of Victor L. Lund to the Del Monte Foods Company Board of Directors. 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 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.

     (c)     Exhibits.

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Exhibit	Description
99.1	Del Monte Foods Company Press Release dated March 31, 2005.

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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: March 31, 2005	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 March 31, 2005.

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EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

NEWS RELEASE

DEL MONTE FOODS APPOINTS VICTOR L. LUND TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SAN FRANCISCO, March 31, 2005 – Del Monte Foods Company [NYSE: DLM], one of the country’s largest and most well-known producers, distributors and marketers of premium quality, branded and private label food and pet products, today announced the appointment of Victor L. Lund to its Board of Directors.

Victor L. Lund, age 57, served as Vice-Chairman of Albertson’s, Inc., a food and drug retailer, from June 1999 until June 2002. Mr. Lund served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of American Stores Company prior to its acquisition by Albertson’s in June 1999. He also served as President of American Stores Company from 1992 until 1995. Prior to joining American Stores Company in 1977, Mr. Lund was a practicing certified public accountant. Most recently, from May 2002 to December 2004, Mr. Lund served as the non-executive Chairman of the Board of Mariner Health Care, Inc. a long-term health care services company. Mr. Lund also currently serves on the boards of Borders Group, Inc., NCR Corporation and Service Corporation International. He received a B.S. in accounting and an M.B.A. from the University of Utah.

“We are delighted to welcome Vic to our Board of Directors,” commented Richard G. Wolford, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. “We believe this addition will be very beneficial to Del Monte Foods and will add an important U.S. food retail perspective as well as broad food industry experience to our Board.”

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With the appointment of Mr. Lund, the Del Monte Foods Board filled a vacancy on the Board, which now stands at 9 directors. Eight of the nine directors are independent under applicable NYSE listing standards and the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines. Richard G. Wolford, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, is an employee of the Company.

Del Monte’s other directors include: Samuel H. Armacost; Timothy G. Bruer; Mary R. (Nina) Henderson; Gerald E. Johnston; Terence D. Martin; Joe L. Morgan; and, David R. Williams.

“Vic’s retail expertise and experience as an independent director will enhance the Del Monte Board’s strategic input and independent oversight of the Company. We are very fortunate to have Vic joining us and look forward to working with him,” added Nina Henderson, Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of the Directors of the Company.

Del Monte Foods is one of the country’s largest and most well known producers, distributors and marketers of premium quality, branded and private label food and pet products for the U.S. retail market, generating over $3 billion in net sales in fiscal 2004. With a powerful portfolio of brands including Del Monte^®, Contadina^®, StarKist^®, S&W^®, Nature’s Goodness™, College Inn^®, 9Lives^®, Kibbles ‘n Bits^®, Pup-Peroni^®, Snausages^®, and NawSomes!^®, Del Monte products are found in nine out of ten American households. For more information on Del Monte Foods Company (NYSE: DLM), visit the Company’s website at www.delmonte.com.

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Contact: Melissa Murphy
412/222-8713

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