Hormel Foods Earns Top Marks in 2016 Corporate Equality Index

Hormel Foods Earns 100 Percent on Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s
Fourteenth Annual Scorecard on LGBT Workplace Equality

AUSTIN, Minn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE:HRL) today announced that it received a
perfect score of 100 percent on the 2016 Corporate Equality Index (CEI),
a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and
practices related to LGBT workplace equality, administered by the Human
Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation. Hormel Foods joins the ranks of 407
major U.S. businesses, which also earned top marks this year.

“Hormel Foods is a great place to work, and this recognition is a result
of our commitment to foster a diverse and inclusive culture,” said Andre
L. Goodlett, corporate manager of diversity and inclusion at Hormel
Foods. “We are proud to receive a perfect score on the HRC Foundation’s
Corporate Equality Index.”

The 2016 CEI rated 1,027 businesses in the report, which evaluates
LGBT-related policies and practices including non-discrimination
workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive
health care benefits, competency programs, and public engagement with
the LGBT community. The company’s efforts in satisfying all of the CEI’s
criteria results in a 100 percent ranking and the designation as a Best
Place to Work for LGBT Equality.

“In this 2016 Corporate Equality Index, hundreds of major businesses
responded to our new standards for workplace equality with exceptional
leadership,” said Deena Fidas, HRC Foundation workplace equality program
director. “Hormel Foods not only meets these standards, it goes above
and beyond the call of duty, making commitment to equality a fundamental
aspect of its corporate values.”

For more information about the 2016 Corporate Equality Index, or to
download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.

About the Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign is
America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all
Americans, the Human Rights Campaign strives to end discrimination
against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental
fairness and equality for all.

About Hormel Foods
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 branded, value-added products to the
global marketplace. The company is a member of the Standard & Poor’s
(S&P) 500 Index, S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats for 2014, was named the
2013 Sustainable Supply Chain of the Year by Refrigerated & Frozen Foods
magazine, and was again named one of “The 100 Best Corporate Citizens”
by Corporate Responsibility Magazine for the seventh year in a row.
Hormel Foods was also recognized as a 2015 Military Friendly Employer by
G.I. Jobs magazine, on the 2015 Best for Vets Employers List by Military
Times, and was named one of the 2015 40 Best Companies for Leaders by
Chief Executive magazine. The company enjoys a strong reputation among
consumers, retail grocers, foodservice and industrial customers for
products highly regarded for quality, taste, nutrition, convenience and
value. For more information, visit http://www.hormelfoods.com.

Contacts

Hormel Foods Corporation
Kelly Braaten, 507-437-5345
media@hormel.com