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BumRushDaShow

(160,962 posts)
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 09:09 AM Jul 2025

138-year old grocery store staple files for bankruptcy

Source: CNN Business

Updated 7:13 AM EDT, Wed July 2, 2025


New York CNN — Del Monte Foods, the 138-year-old company best known for its canned fruits and vegetables, has filed for bankruptcy and is looking for a buyer. Late Thursday, the company announced it was voluntarily entering Chapter 11 and is going through a sale process for all of its assets. Among the company’s product lines are a number of well-known kitchen staples, including College Inn broths and Contadina canned tomatoes, as well as its flagship Del Monte brand.

“After a thorough evaluation of all available options, we determined a court-supervised sale process is the most effective way to accelerate our turnaround and create a stronger and enduring Del Monte Foods,” said President and CEO Greg Longstreet, in a statement.

Del Monte said it secured $912.5 million in new funding that will allow the company to remain afloat during the sale process and will keep the company operating as normal as it enters the peak canning season. The company listed liabilities estimated between $1 billion and $10 billion, according to court documents.

“With an improved capital structure, enhanced financial position and new ownership, we will be better positioned for long-term success,” added Longstreet. He said that the company has “faced challenges intensified by a dynamic macroeconomic environment,” notably consumers cutting back on their spending and a growing shift toward spending on private labels.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/02/food/del-monte-foods-bankruptcy



I can't name how many things I have bought from them if not getting the store brand. They tended to be cheaper than other brand names like Green Giant. Didn't realize they owned Contadina (that I have in my pantry and grew up with).
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138-year old grocery store staple files for bankruptcy (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Jul 2025 OP
Canned fruits and vegetables were common in my house growing up. I'm sure someone will buy name Silent Type Jul 2025 #1
No worries petert Jul 5 #43
a good portion of their products are non gmo, most political donations are to Dems, hopefully that won't change Shellback Squid Jul 2025 #2
thanks for your information , did not know that AllaN01Bear Jul 2025 #3
My lab gets a small can of Del Monte corn, peas & carrots, or green beans with every meal Botany Jul 2025 #4
I can't imagine even a small can of veggies PoindexterOglethorpe Jul 2025 #24
canned food was a staple for a while for me . AllaN01Bear Jul 2025 #5
I made 'Mulligan's Stew' from YouTuber Max Miller's 'Cooking History' wolfie001 Jul 2025 #7
thats sounds yummy AllaN01Bear Jul 2025 #9
I had dinner for 3 nites and ate it with my homemade bread! wolfie001 Jul 2025 #13
Old guys have to tell stories. Back in early 70s in college Andy Williams was in LA and Stevie Wonder twodogsbarking Jul 2025 #31
That is a classic! wolfie001 Jul 2025 #35
I love canned cornbeef Farmer-Rick Jul 2025 #20
Yes! I'm a fan too! wolfie001 Jul 2025 #36
I haven't bought canned fruit in 20 years wolfie001 Jul 2025 #6
but you can often get the "no sugar added" varieties I find. Hubby is diabetic and when I can't get fresh fruit I get CTyankee Jul 2025 #8
I know if I need to buy canned fruit BumRushDaShow Jul 2025 #11
thanks for reminding me of that option! I'll check it out today as I will go shopping soon. CTyankee Jul 2025 #12
I have a Zojirushi rice cooker that has a Steel Cut Oats setting BumRushDaShow Jul 2025 #14
I have very few kitchen items as I can't cook the way I used to (arthritic condiition in my back). CTyankee Jul 2025 #15
I hear you all the way on the arthritis moniss Jul 2025 #19
Me too. Beacool Jul 2025 #26
Yes! Very good! wolfie001 Jul 2025 #16
In my household always a first choice bucolic_frolic Jul 2025 #10
ConAgra wolfie001 Jul 2025 #17
That's nacho cheese. twodogsbarking Jul 5 #42
At your local 7-Eleven wolfie001 Jul 5 #45
I had to pause eating breakfast just thinking about the bacteria. Have some ice cream today. Stay well. twodogsbarking Jul 5 #46
You too! Cheers! wolfie001 Jul 5 #47
This history tells the sad story of vulture capitalism. yardwork Jul 5 #44
Best fruit cocktail. nt moniss Jul 2025 #18
College Inn Broths Historic NY Jul 2025 #21
Business people unable to actually run a business again? Aristus Jul 2025 #22
More and more consolidation by huge conglomerates. Sigh. Not good for the 'free' markets, that's for sure. Joinfortmill Jul 2025 #23
How does any company accrue $1 to $10 Billion in debt without massive malfeasance? Mawspam2 Jul 2025 #25
Venture Capital? maxsolomon Jul 2025 #32
Private equity? not fooled Jul 2025 #33
I'm sure Trump didn't help their chances of survival. Doodley Jul 2025 #27
Wow, I wasn't expecting that the thread was going to be about Del Monte. Beacool Jul 2025 #28
Part of the problem could be Old Crank Jul 2025 #29
Once Orange Julius Caesar deports all our fruit and vegetable pickers, every canned fruit and vegetable company generalbetrayus Jul 2025 #30
THIS!! Look for more of this to happen under cover so Trump's immigration policy won't be blamed. nt Jit423 Jul 2025 #34
So basically everyone at the head of the company Quanto Magnus Jul 2025 #37
My first job! SFRose Jul 2025 #38
OH NO!!! elleng Jul 2025 #39
Del Monte is our "go to" brand Born Free Jul 2025 #40
Weird intersections with my 19th century family history. hunter Jul 2025 #41

Silent Type

(11,290 posts)
1. Canned fruits and vegetables were common in my house growing up. I'm sure someone will buy name
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 09:15 AM
Jul 2025

if nothing else.



petert

(3 posts)
43. No worries
Sat Jul 5, 2025, 08:47 AM
Jul 5

You will still get the product still get Wonder Bread..Twinkies etc... All this is is condolidation,,, Look at the major breweries and the beers that you can not get anymore, and the ones you can,,, This brand is the greatest for what it does Total STOP

Shellback Squid

(9,637 posts)
2. a good portion of their products are non gmo, most political donations are to Dems, hopefully that won't change
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 09:20 AM
Jul 2025

Botany

(75,402 posts)
4. My lab gets a small can of Del Monte corn, peas & carrots, or green beans with every meal
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 09:28 AM
Jul 2025

Fills her up but with no calories.

I am making Del Monte’s Italian style corn this afternoon.

https://www.delmonte.com/recipes/collections/super-weeknight-recipes/corn-5-ways

I have the basal and Serrano peppers ( in place of the red pepper flakes ) in my garden.

PoindexterOglethorpe

(28,089 posts)
24. I can't imagine even a small can of veggies
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 11:33 AM
Jul 2025

would have zero calories. Not a lot is one thing, but zero? Where can I find this?

AllaN01Bear

(27,502 posts)
5. canned food was a staple for a while for me .
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 09:30 AM
Jul 2025

will g o back to them looking for sodium free . i have several books on using canned foods . discovered them when going to the library. called a man a can a plan. did id quite a few good meals out of that , also can eat canned food when no power or gas . dont need to refrigerate . https://www.amazon.com/Man-Can-Plan-Second-Helping-ebook/dp/B00DGV80Y8

wolfie001

(6,235 posts)
7. I made 'Mulligan's Stew' from YouTuber Max Miller's 'Cooking History'
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 09:46 AM
Jul 2025

Hilarious! Canned peas, canned corned beef, an onion, a little veggie oil, tomato ketchup, and salt and pepper to taste. Maybe some other ingredient too. You can check it out. Wasn't that bad. The guys (hobos from seasonal work) who used to go from town to town on the back of railroad cars before WW2 would cook stuff like this. Ingenius and cheap meal. No refridge required.

wolfie001

(6,235 posts)
13. I had dinner for 3 nites and ate it with my homemade bread!
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 10:08 AM
Jul 2025

I was having a Tennessee William's dinner fest celebration! Cheers!

twodogsbarking

(16,025 posts)
31. Old guys have to tell stories. Back in early 70s in college Andy Williams was in LA and Stevie Wonder
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 12:18 PM
Jul 2025

was in NY for a music awards show. It was one of the first times that two locations were broadcast together. It was a new thing and not perfect so the picture would fuzz out. Andy Williams kept saying "Can you see me Stevie?". He kept saying it. Never laughed any harder in my life.

Farmer-Rick

(12,081 posts)
20. I love canned cornbeef
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 10:44 AM
Jul 2025

I fry it up with potatoes and onions and serve it with eggs. But my family never liked it. So, it was a guilty pleasure.

wolfie001

(6,235 posts)
6. I haven't bought canned fruit in 20 years
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 09:40 AM
Jul 2025

With the diabetic epidemic today, this is not a bad thing. They should pivot to healthier options and stop paying idiot celebrities to push their crap.

CTyankee

(67,120 posts)
8. but you can often get the "no sugar added" varieties I find. Hubby is diabetic and when I can't get fresh fruit I get
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 09:47 AM
Jul 2025

unsweetened variety and if not that I get the artificially sweetened.

BumRushDaShow

(160,962 posts)
11. I know if I need to buy canned fruit
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 09:59 AM
Jul 2025

I always get the "in juice" (or water) kind vs the "in syrup". But most of the time, I buy bags of frozen fruit!

CTyankee

(67,120 posts)
12. thanks for reminding me of that option! I'll check it out today as I will go shopping soon.
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 10:02 AM
Jul 2025

My guess is that I checked that option out before and found it too expensive. I am on a strict food budget, while also trying to eat healthily. It's difficult to do but I try!

BumRushDaShow

(160,962 posts)
14. I have a Zojirushi rice cooker that has a Steel Cut Oats setting
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 10:09 AM
Jul 2025

so whenever I make oatmeal (I usually make a 4-serving batch for a week of rotating breakfasts), I'll rotate in different frozen fruits like peach slices, blueberries, strawberries, or mixed berries (which are usually blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries) that get added into the cooker with the oats (I'll also rotate in a fresh apple that I'll peel, slice, and add)!

CTyankee

(67,120 posts)
15. I have very few kitchen items as I can't cook the way I used to (arthritic condiition in my back).
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 10:15 AM
Jul 2025

But I can certainly serve the fruit right out of the bags!

good thoughts and thanks!

moniss

(8,126 posts)
19. I hear you all the way on the arthritis
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 10:40 AM
Jul 2025

and I sometimes have to take bowls with ingredients and sit down to finish mixing them or leave them for later while I lay down for awhile to help make the swelling and pain go away. I'm good for about 5 minutes or less on my feet before things start getting bad in my hips, back, feet and shoulders. I've got one knee with a permanent bend in it already and so the other leg and hip have to bear more too. Sometimes if I try to turn around too fast with a bowl or pan in my hands I can begin to have balance problems.

Kneading dough, using a rolling pin, stirring thick mixtures etc. are all things I'm not readily able to do anymore.

Beacool

(30,455 posts)
26. Me too.
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 11:43 AM
Jul 2025

I eat plenty of fresh fruit. I have mixed berries and half a small banana in my daily Greek yogurt in the mornings. This time of year I make plenty of fruit salads, a healthier desert than ice cream. But, I do buy the canned fruit in juice when I want to add it to jello. They hold better than fresh fruit.

wolfie001

(6,235 posts)
16. Yes! Very good!
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 10:17 AM
Jul 2025

Wasn't even thinking that through! That was my knee jerk, boomer: "Get off my lawn!" post this am.

bucolic_frolic

(52,568 posts)
10. In my household always a first choice
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 09:52 AM
Jul 2025

They may not have been the most stable financially all along, perhaps due to size. History reveals a long long history of slicing and dicing, selling off bits, buying other bits, yet is has only a handful of well-known brands unlike many food conglomerates like ConAgra, Kraft Heinz, etc.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Del_Monte_Foods

wolfie001

(6,235 posts)
45. At your local 7-Eleven
Sat Jul 5, 2025, 10:12 AM
Jul 5

In that big white container with the plastic pourable spout. I haven't been to one in over 2 decades. I wonder if they still do that.

twodogsbarking

(16,025 posts)
46. I had to pause eating breakfast just thinking about the bacteria. Have some ice cream today. Stay well.
Sat Jul 5, 2025, 10:14 AM
Jul 5

wolfie001

(6,235 posts)
47. You too! Cheers!
Sat Jul 5, 2025, 10:18 AM
Jul 5

I cook all the time now by the way! Watching all my pennies and I've finally figured out my mysterious bread machine

Historic NY

(39,315 posts)
21. College Inn Broths
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 10:48 AM
Jul 2025

I buy regularly their low salt variety is half the price of Pacific at least in my store

Aristus

(70,993 posts)
22. Business people unable to actually run a business again?
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 10:58 AM
Jul 2025

And the intellectually challenged of America think they should run the country?

Joinfortmill

(19,016 posts)
23. More and more consolidation by huge conglomerates. Sigh. Not good for the 'free' markets, that's for sure.
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 10:58 AM
Jul 2025

not fooled

(6,480 posts)
33. Private equity?
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 12:38 PM
Jul 2025

The linked story is scant on details. 'Murican corporate media don't want the toxic aspects of current business practices aired out.

Beacool

(30,455 posts)
28. Wow, I wasn't expecting that the thread was going to be about Del Monte.
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 11:46 AM
Jul 2025

Who hasn't eaten their products over the years? I probably have some of their cans of corn and peas in the pantry right now.
So sad to hear this, I hope that they can survive.

Old Crank

(6,272 posts)
29. Part of the problem could be
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 11:51 AM
Jul 2025

that more and more people aren't buying canned fruits and veggies like they used to.
My canned goods are.
Pineapple rings and pears for upside down cake. Beans of several types and some tomato sauces.

generalbetrayus

(1,250 posts)
30. Once Orange Julius Caesar deports all our fruit and vegetable pickers, every canned fruit and vegetable company
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 12:00 PM
Jul 2025

will like go bankrupt, for lack of product. , kind of.

Jit423

(1,568 posts)
34. THIS!! Look for more of this to happen under cover so Trump's immigration policy won't be blamed. nt
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 12:45 PM
Jul 2025

Quanto Magnus

(1,259 posts)
37. So basically everyone at the head of the company
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 01:31 PM
Jul 2025

took so much in 'salary' that it bankrupted the company. They're going to blame the customers though....

SFRose

(2 posts)
38. My first job!
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 03:25 PM
Jul 2025

Working on the Del Monte string bean canning line was my first summer job after high school in Oregon. It was a fun job, but mostly boring. One memorable highlight was snatching a big, fat green caterpillar emerging from the blancher right before it dropped into the canning line. I stared at it in disbelief before grabbing it and throwing it in the trash! Good times.

Born Free

(1,647 posts)
40. Del Monte is our "go to" brand
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 06:41 PM
Jul 2025

Maybe not the best, but better than most store brands we tried in that price range.

hunter

(39,985 posts)
41. Weird intersections with my 19th century family history.
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 07:17 PM
Jul 2025

They were competitors in the coffee business.

Del Monte went fruits, my direct ancestors went dairy.

That family wealth did not survive the Great Depression and it wouldn't have mattered anyways because my grandma and her sister hated cows and dairymen.

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