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 1, 2010

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:

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

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

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

¨   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 Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

On April 1, 2010, Del Monte Foods Company announced via press release that Larry E. Bodner has been appointed Executive Vice President, Finance effective April 1, 2010 and that David W. Allen has been appointed Executive Vice President, Operations effective April 1, 2010.

Mr. Bodner joined Del Monte in July 2003 and was appointed to his current position effective April 2010. Mr. Bodner was Senior Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations from October 2007 to April 2010; Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations from July 2006 to October 2007; and Vice President, Internal Reporting and Financial Analysis from July 2003 to July 2006. Prior to joining Del Monte, he was Chief Operating Officer of Market Compass from May 2001 to July 2003 and Chief Operating Officer/ Chief Financial Officer of SelfCare from 1998 to 2001. From 1995 to 1997, Mr. Bodner held a variety of senior financial positions with The Walt Disney Company. From 1986 to 1994, Mr. Bodner held a variety of finance positions with The Procter & Gamble Company. Mr. Bodner is 47.

Mr. Allen was appointed to his current position effective April 2010. Mr. Allen served as a consultant to Del Monte beginning in November 2005 and in June 2006 was appointed Senior Vice President, Operations and Supply Chain. Prior to working with Del Monte, Mr. Allen was Chief Operating Officer of U.S. Foodservice, a division of Royal Ahold, from 2004 to 2005 and Chief Executive Officer of WorldChain, Inc., a supply chain services company, from 2001 to 2004. He served as Vice President, Worldwide Operations of Dell Inc. from 1999 to 2000. From 1991 to 1999, Mr. Allen held a variety of positions at Frito-Lay North America, a division of PepsiCo, Inc., most recently as its Senior Vice President, Operations. Mr. Allen also serves on the board of directors of American Italian Pasta Company. Mr. Allen is 49.

In connection with Mr. Bodner’s appointment as Executive Vice President, Finance, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Del Monte Foods Company increased his annual salary to $425,000 and his target award as a percentage of base salary under the Annual Incentive Program to 62.5%. In connection with Mr. Allen’s appointment as Executive Vice President, Operations, the Compensation Committee increased his annual salary to $425,000. Mr. Allen’s target award as a percentage of base salary under the Annual Incentive Program continues to be 62.5%.

Neither Mr. Bodner nor Mr. Allen has an employment agreement with Del Monte Foods Company or Del Monte Corporation, the Company’s wholly owned operating subsidiary. However, they participate in, or receive compensation under, a number of plans for executives including, among others: the Del Monte Corporation Executive Severance Plan, the Annual Incentive Program, the Del Monte Foods Company 2002 Stock Incentive Plan, the Del Monte Corporation Retirement Plan for Salaried Employees, the Del Monte Corporation Additional Benefits Plan, and the Del Monte Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. The foregoing plans are described in Del Monte Foods Company’s proxy statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on September 24, 2009, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 19, 2009. Additionally, Mr. Bodner and Mr. Allen are eligible to participate in the Del Monte Foods Company Deferred Compensation Plan, which is described in the Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 24, 2009 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 29, 2009.

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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.

Exhibit 99.1 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 April 1, 2010

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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: April 1, 2010	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 April 1, 2010

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EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

NEWS RELEASE

DEL MONTE FOODS COMPANY ANNOUNCES

SENIOR MANAGEMENT APPOINTMENTS

Larry Bodner appointed to Executive Vice President, Finance

David Allen appointed to Executive Vice President, Operations

SAN FRANCISCO, April 1, 2010 - Del Monte Foods Company (NYSE: DLM) announced today the appointment of Larry Bodner to Executive Vice President, Finance and David Allen to Executive Vice President, Operations.

“These appointments to expanded roles with increased responsibilities will significantly strengthen our senior leadership team and move Del Monte’s execution capabilities to a higher level,” said Richard G. Wolford, Chairman and CEO of Del Monte Foods Company. “Larry and Dave both bring established leadership and proven capabilities to their new roles. I very much appreciate their previous accomplishments and look forward to working with them as they contribute to our future success. I am confident that today, at Del Monte, we have the right team, focused on the right strategy, to drive the Company’s growth and success going forward.”

Larry Bodner Appointed Executive Vice President, Finance

Mr. Bodner, who previously served as Senior Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations, will now oversee all of the Company’s Finance and Strategy functions. The Company’s Accounting, Controller, and Treasury functions as well as Strategic Planning & Development, will now report to Mr. Bodner, in addition to his current responsibilities.

Mr. Bodner will continue to report directly to David Meyers, Del Monte’s Executive Vice President, Administration and Chief Financial Officer. In addition to the functions now consolidated under Mr. Bodner, the Company’s Legal, Information Technology, and Internal Audit functions will continue to report directly to Mr. Meyers.

Commented Mr. Wolford, “Since joining Del Monte in 2003, Larry - through his hard work and financial acumen - has been a very significant contributor to our success, and has played a major role in defining and implementing Del Monte’s Accelerated Growth Plan strategy. In his expanded role, Larry’s strong management and financial skills as well as excellent strategic insight will provide even greater benefit as we enter the next phase of Del Monte’s evolution.”

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Mr. Bodner (47) joined Del Monte in July 2003. Prior to serving as Del Monte’s Senior Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations, Mr. Bodner served as Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations and Vice President, Internal Reporting and Financial Analysis. Prior to joining Del Monte, he was Chief Operating Officer of Market Compass, Chief Operating Officer/ Chief Financial Officer of SelfCare, and held a variety of finance positions with The Walt Disney Company and the Procter & Gamble Company.

David Allen Appointed Executive Vice President, Operations

Mr. Allen, who previously served as Senior Vice President, Operations and Supply Chain, will now oversee all of the Company’s Operations and Supply Chain functions. These will now include Del Monte Consumer Operations, International Operations and Special Markets, in addition to his current responsibilities of Supply Chain and Pet Operations.

Mr. Allen will continue to report directly to Nils Lommerin, Del Monte’s Chief Operating Officer. In addition to functions now consolidated under Mr. Allen, Mr. Lommerin will continue to oversee the Marketing, Innovation, and Research & Development functions.

“Dave has demonstrated excellent strategic business leadership and has delivered results,” said Mr. Wolford. “Under Dave’s leadership, we have made significant advances to optimize our Pet operations, streamline our supply chain, and reduce inventory levels. Dave’s expanded role creates a structure that will enable the Company to consolidate leadership of all operations. This integrated structure will further enhance our productivity initiatives, drive costs out of our system, and elevate our much upgraded customer service performance to higher levels across the entire portfolio.”

Mr. Allen (49) joined Del Monte in June 2006. Prior to that, Mr. Allen was Chief Operating Officer of U.S. Foodservice, a division of Royal Ahold, Chief Executive Officer of WorldChain, Inc., Vice President, Worldwide Operations of Dell Inc., and held a variety of positions at Frito-Lay North America, a division of PepsiCo, Inc. Mr. Allen also serves on the board of directors of American Italian Pasta Company.

Both appointments are effective April 1, 2010. Mr. Bodner and Mr. Allen will continue to be located at Del Monte’s headquarters in San Francisco, California.

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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.™

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CONTACTS:

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

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