Awards & Recognition
Hormel Foods Named to Forbes List of America’s Best Employers for Women 2026
Austin, Minn.
At Hormel Foods, we believe our people are our greatest strength. We are proud to be named one of America’s Best Employers for Women 2026 by Forbes and Statista Inc., a recognition that highlights our ongoing commitment to cultivating an inclusive workplace where women are valued, empowered, and equipped to succeed at every stage of their careers.
The ranking is based on an independent survey of more than 146,000 women across the United States, with more than 4 million employer evaluations considered over three years. The final list includes just 700 companies nationwide.
From development programs and mentorship to inclusive policies and benefits, Hormel Foods continually invests in helping women build meaningful and rewarding careers.
We are honored to receive this distinction and remain committed to building a workplace where everyone can thrive.
Learn more about the ranking and view the complete Forbes list here.
How Hormel Foods Encourages and Empowers Women
Employee Resource Group
Hormel Foods encourages employee-led initiatives that help strengthen connection, professional growth and leadership skills. Among these efforts is our employee resource group, Women’s Insights Network, which encourages community and elevates diverse perspectives at all levels across the company.
Work-Life Balance
We recognize that employees perform their best when they can balance work and personal responsibilities. That’s why Hormel Foods offers competitive benefits, including generous paid time off and parental leave programs designed to help women during important life moments. We also promote their well-being through comprehensive mental health resources available through Spring Health. Employees and their eligible family members have access to coaching, counseling, therapy and other personalized resources to enhance mental, emotional and overall well-being throughout different life stages and career journeys.
Child Care and Family Support
Supporting women also means supporting their families. We invested in a near-site early childhood education center in Austin, Minnesota, that serves children from 1 month to 12 years. Operated by Bright Horizons and accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the center helps employees and community members access high-quality child care and educational opportunities for their children.
We also provide access to fertility and family-building benefits through Progyny. The program offers personalized guidance for fertility treatment, adoption, surrogacy and other paths to parenthood, along with access to specialized providers and care coordination resources. These benefits help women navigate important family decisions with confidence and clarity.
Leadership and Growth Opportunities
Hormel Foods is committed to developing future leaders. Through leadership development programs and training, women can build skills and make an impact. The company continues to have strong female representation across leadership roles and a pipeline of emerging leaders poised for future success. Women can also participate in mentorship opportunities that accelerate professional growth, knowledge sharing and career advancement.
Continuing Our Commitment
This recognition from Forbes underscores our ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive, supportive workplace. We are proud of the progress we’ve made in helping women thrive through programs and benefits that promote connection and well-being, while providing family-focused resources, leadership development and opportunities for long-term career success.