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): August 15, 2000


                              ALLTRISTA CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



            Indiana                      0-21052                 35-1828377
(State or other jurisdiction of  (Commission File Number)     (I.R.S. Employer
       incorporation or                                     Identification No.)
         organization)


5875 Castle Creek Parkway, North Drive, Suite 440,
Indianapolis, IN                                                46250
(Address of principal executive offices)                      (Zip Code)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (317) 577-5000





Item 5.  Other Events.
- ------   ------------

         On August 15, 2000, Alltrista Corporation received a letter from Martin
Franklin,  Managing  Partner of Marlin Partners II, L.P., dated August 15, 2000,
requesting the calling of a special meeting of shareholders.  In response to the
Franklin letter,  Alltrista Corporation informed Mr. Franklin by letter that his
request would be referred to the  Alltrista  Corporation  Board of Directors.  A
copy of the written response by Alltrista Corporation is attached as Exhibit 99.


Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

         The following exhibits are filed as a part of this report:

(a) Not Applicable

(b) Not Applicable

(c) Exhibits

         99                Letter dated August 15, 2000.

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.


                                                     ALLTRISTA CORPORATION
                                                              (Registrant)


Date: August 15, 2000                       By:    /s/ Kevin D. Bower
                                               ---------------------------------
                                                      Senior Vice President and
                                                      Chief Financial Officer




                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number                      Description of Exhibit

          99                        Letter dated August 15, 2000.

EX-99

Thomas B. Clark
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer


August 15, 2000

Mr. Martin E. Franklin
Managing Partner
Marlin Partners II, L.P.
555 Theodore Fremd Avenue
Suite B-302
Rye, NY 10580

Dear Martin:

I wish to acknowledge  receipt of your letter dated August 15, 2000 in which you
request  the  calling of a special  meeting of  shareholders  for the purpose of
considering  a resolution  to initiate a sale process of Alltrista  Corporation.
Your letter is being referred to the Board of Directors for their consideration.

Sincerely,



Thomas B. Clark

TBC:dlf