shareholder information Independent Auditors Dividends Stock Listing Common Stock Data Household Sorting Reports and Publications Transfer Agent and Registrar Dividend Reinvestment Plan Annual Meeting Questions about Hormel Foods Consumer Response Trademarks Ernst & Young LLP 220 South Sixth Street, Ste 1400 Minneapolis, MN 55402-4509 Hormel Foods Corporation’s  common stock is traded on  the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol HRL. The CUSIP number is 440452100. There are approximately 11,300 record shareholders and approximately 30,000 shareholders whose shares are held in street name by brokerage firms and financial institutions. The annual certification required by Section 303A.12(a) of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual was sub- mitted by the company on March 3, 2004. The high and low closing price of the com- pany’s common stock and the dividends per share declared for each fiscal quarter of 2004 and 2003, respectively, are shown below: Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A. 161 North Concord Exchange P.O. Box 64854 South St. Paul, MN 55164-0854 www.shareowneronline.com For the convenience of shareholders, a toll- free number (1-877-536-3559) can be used whenever questions arise regarding changes in registered ownership, lost or stolen certifi- cates, address changes, or other matters pertaining to the transfer of stock or share- holder records. When requesting information, shareholders must provide their tax identifi- cation number, the name(s) in which their stock is registered, and their record address.  As of December 1, 2004, the company is participating in the Direct Registration Profile Modification System (DRPMS).  Future transfers or issuances of shares will be issued in book-entry form, unless you specifically request a stock certificate. A statement will be delivered to you reflecting any transactions processed in your account. The transfer agent makes shareholder account data available to shareholders of record via the Internet. This service allows shareholders to view various account details, such as certificate information, dividend pay- ment history, and/or dividend reinvestment plan records, over a secure Internet connec- tion with the required entry of a tax identifica- tion number and a PIN number. Information is available 24 hours per day, seven days a week. If you are interested, you may use the Web site www.shareowneronline.com and access “FIRST TIME VISITOR” to arrange for a PIN setup. If you hold stock in more than one account, duplicate mailings of financial information may result. You can help eliminate the added expense by requesting only one copy be sent. Please supply the transfer agent with the names in which all accounts are regis- tered and the name of the account for which you wish to receive mailings. This will not  in any way affect dividend check mailings. We cannot household sort between record accounts and brokerage accounts. Hormel Foods Corporation’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan, available to record  shareholders, allows for full dividend rein- vestment and voluntary cash purchases  with brokerage commissions or other service fees paid by the company. Automatic debit for cash contribution is also available. This  is a convenient method to have money  automatically withdrawn each month from a checking or savings account and invested in your Dividend Reinvestment Plan account. To enroll in the plan or obtain additional infor- mation, contact Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., using the address or telephone num- ber provided with its listing in this section  as company transfer agent and registrar. Enrollment in the plan is also available on  the Internet at www.shareowneronline.com. An optional direct dividend deposit serv- ice offers shareholders a convenient method of having quarterly dividend payments elec- tronically deposited into their personal check- ing or savings account. The dividend payment is made in the account each payment date, providing shareholders with immediate use of their money. For information about the service and how to participate, contact Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., transfer agent. You may also activate this feature on the Internet at www.shareowneronline.com. The declaration of dividends and all dates related to the declaration of dividends are  subject to the judgment and discretion of  the Board of Directors of Hormel Foods Corporation. Quarterly dividends are typically paid on the 15th of February, May, August, and November. Postal delays may cause receipt dates to vary. Copies of the company’s Form 10-K (annual report) and Form10-Q (quarterly report) to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), proxy statement, all news releases, and other corporate literature are available free upon request by calling (507) 437-5345 or by accessing the information on the Internet at www.hormel.com. The company’s Annual Report to Shareholders is mailed approxi- mately one month before the Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting of Shareholders will  be held Tuesday, January 25, 2005, in the Richard L. Knowlton Auditorium at Austin (Minn.) High School. The meeting will  convene at 8:00 p.m. Shareholder Inquiries (507) 437-5944 Analyst/Investor Inquiries (507) 437-5007 Media Inquiries (507) 437-5355 Inquiries regarding products of Hormel Foods Corporation should be addressed: Consumer Response Hormel Foods Corporation 1 Hormel Place Austin, MN 55912-3680 or call 1-800-523-4635 References in italic within this report  represent valuable trademarks owned or licensed by Hormel Foods Corporation  or its subsidiaries. 2004 High Low Dividend First Quarter $27.45 $23.80 $.1125 Second Quarter 31.04 26.54 .1125 Third Quarter 31.63 29.06 .1125 Fourth Quarter 29.70 26.00 .1125 2003 High Low Dividend First Quarter $24.30 $21.76 $.1050 Second Quarter 22.60 20.18 .1050 Third Quarter 24.98 22.41 .1050 Fourth Quarter 24.15 21.25 .1050