Thousands of Minnesotans Took Steps to Fight Hunger Statewide; HORMEL Hunger Walk Raised $78,000 for Hunger Solutions Minnesota -- Funds Will Feed 312,000 Minnesotans in Need.

City Desk Editors

AUSTIN, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 28, 2002

Families and friends from across the state gathered at Mall of America on Thanksgiving morning to walk together in pursuit of a single goal -- fighting hunger in Minnesota.

More than 2,000 people participated in the HORMEL(TM)Hunger Walk, which raised $78,000 for Hunger Solutions Minnesota.

The money raised at the HORMEL Hunger Walk, which was presented by the HORMEL(R) Hams for Hunger(TM) program, will directly benefit Minnesota's six America's Second Harvest-affiliated food banks, which distribute food to on-site feeding programs and food shelves throughout the state. In 2001, Minnesota's 320 food shelves supported more than 1.3 million visits from people in need.

"We are very pleased that so many people came together on Thanksgiving Day to truly make an impact on the issue of hunger in Minnesota," said Jessica Saleem, development associate at Hunger Solutions Minnesota. "Every one dollar raised during the walk will provide a quality meal for four hungry Minnesotans. The money generated will help thousands of people in need."

Julie Craven, director of corporate communications, Hormel Foods, echoed that sentiment. "We share Hunger Solutions Minnesota's passionate commitment to fighting hunger throughout the state. The HORMEL Hunger Walk allowed us to contribute significantly to that cause while providing a fun and meaningful event for families and friends from many communities."

Additional sponsors of the Hormel Hunger Walk included Clear Channel Communications, Mall of America, WLOL, K102, KOOL-108, HomStar USA, Krispy Kreme, Perkins and St. Croix Marketing Group.

About Hunger Solutions Minnesota

Hunger Solutions Minnesota works to efficiently acquire and distribute food products and financial resources to the six food banks, more than 300 food shelves and over 800 on-site meal programs in Minnesota. In addition to helping alleviate hunger with resources, Hunger Solutions is committed to distributing more nutritious and culturally appropriate food. Hunger Solutions works toward long-term solutions to the root causes of hunger and malnutrition by providing leadership in the areas of research, public education and advocacy. For more information, visit www.hungersolutions.org.

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 quality, value-added brands to the global marketplace. In both January 2001 and January 2002, Hormel Foods was named one of "The 400 Best Big Companies in America" by Forbes 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 www.hormel.com.

About the HORMEL(R) Hams for Hunger(TM) Program

To make it easy for consumers to join in the fight against hunger, Hormel Foods Corporation and America's Second Harvest have partnered to provide premium Hormel(R) CURE 81(R) hams to hungry people nationwide. Through the Hormel Hams for Hunger(TM) program, Hormel Foods, America's Second Harvest, grocers and consumers across the country can join forces to ensure that millions of hungry people receive high-quality, protein-rich Hormel CURE 81 hams this holiday season and beyond. Now in its 13th year, the Hormel Hams for Hunger program is part of Hormel Foods' longstanding commitment to fighting hunger in America. In 2001, approximately 84,000 Hormel CURE 81 hams with a retail value of more than $1 million were given to people in need. Since the Hormel Hams for Hunger program's inception in 1989, Hormel Foods has donated more than $8 million in premium hams. For more information, visit www.hormel.com.