This transition will be effective August 3, 2015.

Hormel Foods Corporation announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Applegate Farms, LLC (“Applegate”), owner of the Applegate® brand, a natural and organic value-added prepared meats category. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals in the United States, and is expected to close within 60 days.

Hormel Foods Corporation named Scott Aakre vice president of corporate innovation and new product development, and Whitney Velasco-Aznar is joining the company and assuming Aakre’s previous position as vice president of marketing for Grocery Products.