Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL) in Austin, Minn., and Camden, N.J.-based Campbell Soup Company (CPB) are two prominent players in the packaged foods industry. HRL develops, processes, and distributes various meat, nuts, and food products to retail, food service, deli, and commercial customers through its Grocery Products; Refrigerated Foods; Jennie-O Turkey Store; and International and Other segments. It sells its products primarily through sales personnel, independent brokers, and distributors. In comparison, CPB manufactures, and markets branded convenience food products, including soups and sauces, biscuits and confectionery, and food service through its Meals and Beverages and Snacks segments. It sells its products through retail food chains, mass discounters and merchandisers, club stores, convenience stores, drug stores, dollar stores, e-commerce, and independent contractor distributors.
Intensifying supply chain disruptions and rising commodity costs have been pushing food prices higher. However, the strong demand for packaged food products and offerings of new products to meet changing consumer tastes should allow packaged food makers to profit substantially.
