Hormel divests whole‑bird turkey operations to LSI, retains JENNIE‑O brand

Deal shifts Hormel away from whole-bird turkey production while keeping JENNIE‑O brand intact

Reorienting Toward Value‑Added Protein Offerings

Hormel Foods is selling its whole‑bird turkey business to Life‑Science Innovations (LSI) in a move the company says sharpens its focus on higher‑margin, value‑added protein products. The transaction, announced from Austin and Willmar, Minnesota, transfers the Melrose whole‑bird facility, the Swanville feed mill and associated transportation assets to LSI and is expected to close by the end of Hormel’s fiscal 2026 second quarter, subject to customary conditions.

The divestiture aligns with Hormel’s strategy to reduce exposure to volatile, commodity‑driven segments and redeploy capital and management resources into innovation across its branded portfolio. Hormel’s interim CEO Jeff Ettinger frames the sale as advancing sustainable, profitable growth by expanding the company’s emphasis on prepared and value‑added protein offerings rather than primary production of whole birds.

To minimize disruption, LSI assumes supply contracts with third‑party turkey growers dedicated to the whole‑bird business and will provide co‑manufacturing services to Hormel through the end of fiscal 2026. Hormel stresses that the broader array of JENNIE‑O® branded products and ownership of the JENNIE‑O® name remain with the company and continue to serve as strategic drivers of profitable growth.

Brand and customer continuity

Hormel emphasizes that customers, consumers and suppliers see uninterrupted order fulfillment during the multi‑month transition, with co‑manufacturing arrangements and retained access to the JENNIE‑O® product portfolio. President John Ghingo describes the transaction as an important step to refocus the turkey portfolio while ensuring a smooth operational handover for retailers and foodservice partners.

Local impact and LSI partnership

LSI CEO Richard Huisinga presents the deal as a continuation of a 75‑year relationship with Jennie‑O and cites recent investments in hen production that complement the acquired whole‑bird assets. Both companies say the agreement preserves local jobs and agricultural partnerships in Minnesota while allowing Hormel to concentrate on expanding value‑added protein innovation across its Fortune 500 branded food business.