Associate Meat Scientist

Conagra Brands streamlines leadership structure. Conagra Brands is reshaping its senior leadership team as the packaged food company simplifies its organizational structure, with Chief Operating Officer Tom McGough set to retire in September and the COO position to be eliminated. The company said Noelle O'Mara, executive vice president and president of Refrigerated and Frozen, and Jill Dexter, executive vice president and president of Grocery and Snacks, will now report directly to President and Chief Executive Officer John Brase. As part of the changes, Burke Raine will become executive vice president and chief growth officer. In his expanded role, he will oversee the company's Foodservice and International businesses, as well as research and development, while leading growth initiatives across the organization. The restructuring comes as Conagra seeks to streamline decision-making and strengthen its focus on customers and long-term profitable growth. "Being close to our customers and the consumer is vital as we simplify Conagra and position the Company for profitable growth," said Brase. "Noelle, Jill, and Burke are outstanding leaders and the opportunity to work directly with them will enable us to improve efficiency as we execute our strategy." McGough will retire effective September 4, 2026, concluding nearly 20 years with the company. Following his departure, Conagra will eliminate the chief operating officer position as part of the broader organizational changes. Brase thanked McGough for his contributions to the company and his support during the leadership transition. "On behalf of the Board and all of us at Conagra, I want to thank Tom for his many contributions to this company over nearly two decades. He has been particularly helpful to me as I immerse myself in the business and I look forward to benefitting from his expertise until he begins his well-deserved retirement in the fall," Brase said. Reflecting on his tenure, McGough expressed confidence in the company's future under its current leadership. "Conagra has extraordinary brands, incredible people, and a lot of runway ahead," said McGough. "John has a clear vision for where this company is going, and I have every confidence that the team will help him get there. I am proud of what we have built together and look forward to a smooth transition in the months ahead."

Map the Meal Gap. July 28, 2026 New data from Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap study helps Feeding America understand the challenges families faced in 2024 as more than 8 out of 10 counties with the highest estimated rates of food insecurity are rural or located in the South. The study also revealed that approximately 25 million people, nearly half of all people experiencing food insecurity, had incomes too high to qualify for federal nutrition assistance, leaving them without a vital bridge to maintain stability. As food prices have remained stubbornly high and federal supports have declined, the estimates from Map the Meal Gap call for Feeding America all to harness its collective power to ensure everyone can access the food they need to thrive. "Food insecurity is not a distant problem - it is present in every community in America," said Denis McDonough, Feeding America CEO. "The data help us understand the scale of need, knowing that behind every number is a child, a family, a senior, a veteran, a neighbor working hard to make ends meet. When we listen to their experiences and act together, we can ensure they have lasting food security." Although USDA has stopped collecting food security data, Feeding America will continue to estimate local food insecurity and meal costs. Moving forward, Feeding America is collaborating as a nationwide network of food banks, food pantries, state-wide associations and regional co-ops - in partnership with diverse partners - to explore alternative data sources from which to estimate local food insecurity in 2027 and beyond. The study's findings show a powerful view of how food insecurity shaped America. Behind the numbers are the quiet, difficult choices neighbors told Feeding America they faced in the 2024 Elevating Voices: Insights Report, as the high costs of housing and basic necessities made it difficult to access the nutritious food their families needed. According to USDA, nearly 48 million people, including 14 million children, experienced food insecurity in 2024. Additional key findings of Map the Meal Gap include: * The national food budget shortfall surpassed $33 billion. In 2024, people in food-insecure households reported needing an additional $23.16 per person, per week to have just enough money to cover their food needs. This translated to $33.7 billion across all 47.9 million individuals in food-insecure households. * Child food insecurity affected every county and district, with rates reaching as high as 45%. Estimated prevalence varied considerably at the local level, reaching as high as 45% in Lee County, Arkansas, and 43% in New York's 15th Congressional District (the Bronx), which was home to the largest estimated number of children in food-insecure households. * More than 12 million seniors and older adults experienced food insecurity. An estimated 7.7 million (9.5%) seniors 60 and older and 4.9 million (12.4%) older adults ages 50 to 59 experienced food insecurity in 2024. * Food insecurity is experienced by people from all backgrounds and demographics, but disparities exist. Most people experiencing food insecurity nationally are white, non-Hispanic. Individuals who are Black or Latino often face disproportionately higher rates. "Conagra Brands is proud to partner with Feeding America to support neighbors facing hunger across the country. Map the Meal Gap provides valuable insight into the scale and scope of food insecurity and its impact on communities in every county in America. Through cash contributions, product donations and employee volunteerism, Conagra takes a holistic approach to support food access efforts and help more people get the food they need for themselves and their families," said Robert J. Rizzo, senior director, community investment, Conagra Brands and Conagra Brands Foundation." "Through our longtime partnership with Feeding America, NIQ is proud to help provide the insights behind Map the Meal Gap study, giving communities a clearer picture of food insecurity and the factors that shape it," said Liz Buchanan, President of North America, NIQ. "As the landscape continues to evolve, we value the opportunity to contribute trusted data that can help communities make informed decisions and direct resources where they are needed most." This research was also funded by the Enterprise Mobility Foundation as part of Enterprise Mobility's Fill Your Tank program, a multi-year initiative launched in 2016 to address food insecurity in communities around the world. This commitment to Feeding America supports senior hunger and child hunger initiatives in communities across the United States. Additional key takeaways from the report can be found on the Map the Meal Gap website along with an interactive map that details food insecurity by geography, income, race and ethnicity. Methodology: Map the Meal Gap uses publicly available data from USDA Economic Research Service, U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics to estimate local food insecurity at the county, congressional district and state levels. The study also estimates local meal costs and food budget shortfalls using food price data from NIQ, based on USDA's Thrifty Food Plan, and grocery sales tax data for every county and state in the country. Contact. About Feeding America. Rooted in the voices of neighbors facing hunger, Feeding America unites the country ensuring everyone has access to food and a thriving future. Feeding America support tens of millions of people as part of a nationwide network of 250+ food banks, 20+ statewide food bank associations, 10+ regional co-ops and 60,000+ agency partners, food pantries and meal programs. Powered by leaders and volunteers embedded in local communities, Feeding America is one of the nation's most effective food distribution systems driving immediate impact today - and a catalyst for long-term change through advocating for legislation that improves food security and work to address its factors. Feeding America partner with people experiencing food insecurity, policymakers, organizations and supporters united with the unwavering commitment to provide nourishing food and work to end hunger at its roots so everyone can live fuller, healthier lives. Visit FeedingAmerica.org to learn more.

Ardent Mills' earnings drop for fiscal 2026. 07.22.2026 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, US - Ardent Mills ended fiscal 2026 with lower earnings and gross profit after tallying gains on both fronts in the previous year. According to the 2026 10-K report filed July 15 by Chicago, Illinois, US-based Conagra Brands Inc., which owns 44% of the milling joint venture, after-tax earnings for Ardent Mills fell 28% to $267.4 million from $369.2 million in 2025, which had marked a 2.1% year-over-year increase. Ardent Mills' gross profit for 2026 dropped nearly 20% to $525.7 million after rising 2.2% to $656.2 million for 2025. At the top line, Ardent Mills saw sales decline for the third straight year. The Denver-based miller generated fiscal 2026 net sales of $3.71 billion, down 7% from just under $4 billion in fiscal 2025, when sales slid 13% year over year, Conagra said. That followed a 12% net sales decrease to nearly $4.6 billion in fiscal 2024. For the 2026 fourth quarter ended May 31, Conagra said equity method investment earnings - primarily representing its stake in Ardent Mills - fell 26% to $42.6 million from $57.4 million a year earlier. Full-year 2026 equity method investment earnings came in at $140.7 million for the 14-week quarter, down 23% from $182.4 million a year ago. "Ardent Mills earnings for fiscal 2026 reflected lower commodity trading revenue," Conagra said in its 10-K report. "Results for fiscal 2026 and 2025 included net charges of $9.6 million and $7.2 million, respectively, primarily related to Ardent Mills restructuring activities." Excluding the impact of restructuring activities and asset impairment for the joint venture, as well as unusual tax items, fiscal 2026 adjusted equity method earnings were $150.3 million, down 21% from $189.6 million a year earlier. Fourth-quarter adjusted equity method earnings declined 26% year over year to $45.1 million from $61 million. Ardent Mills is North America's biggest milling company. Conagra and Cargill each own 44% of Ardent Mills under the joint venture, formed in 2014, while CHS owns a 12% interest. When reporting third-quarter results back in April, Conagra had cut $30 million from its 2026 adjusted equity method earnings forecast of $170 million, with chief financial officer David Marberger citing pressure on Ardent Mills' commodity trading revenue from lower prices and less volatility in wheat markets at the time. For fiscal 2027, Conagra projects adjusted equity method earnings of approximately $140 million. In a July 15 conference call with analysts on Conagra's fourth-quarter 2026 performance, Matthew Neisius, senior director of investor relations, noted that Ardent Mills remains a "swing factor" in fiscal 2027 guidance. "Ardent Mills is always one that we keep an eye on, right?" Neisius said in the call. "Wheat prices have been a bit more volatile of late, but it's always challenging to extrapolate that into a full year." Get better grain and ag industry search results. Adding And World Grain tells Google to prioritize World Grain stories.