HORMEL FOODS CORP /DE/

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. )

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Hormel Foods Corporation

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Proxy Statement

2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Central Standard Time

Austin, Minnesota

AUSTIN, MINNESOTA

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To the Stockholders:

The 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Hormel Foods Corporation, a Delaware corporation, will be held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Central Standard Time in the Richard L. Knowlton Auditorium of the Austin High School, 300 NW 4th Street, Austin, Minnesota 55912.

The items of business are:

1. Election of the 12 director nominees named in the Proxy Statement, for a term expiring at the next annual meeting;

2. Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending October 25, 2026;

3. Approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers;

4. Approval of the Hormel Foods Corporation 2026 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan; and

5. Such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof.

The Board of Directors has fixed November 28, 2025, at the close of business, as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting.

By Order of the Board of Directors

Colleen Batcheler

Senior Vice President, External Affairs,

General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

December 17, 2025

Important Notice Regarding the Internet Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to be Held on January 27, 2026

are available at proxyvote.com