A Century In Food, Built In Chapters
Some companies grow in a straight line. This one did not.
It started with flour mills in Nebraska. It became a wide shelf of well-known food brands.
Along the way, it changed names, changed shape, and kept moving toward the consumer’s table.
A Grain-State Start
In 1919, a milling plan came together in Nebraska. The founder was Alva Kinney.
He brought four grain milling companies under one roof. The new firm was Nebraska Consolidated Mills Company.
The goal was scale. The Midwest was producing more grain, and a larger system could keep up.
- 1919: Nebraska Consolidated Mills Company is incorporated in Nebraska.
- Formation is described as a consolidation of four grain milling companies.
- The early logic was to benefit from rising grain output in the Midwest.
From Mills To A Bigger Base
The early story stays close to the grain belt. Milling was the anchor.
A key early move was location. The firm expanded in Omaha and shifted its headquarters there.
It was a practical choice for a growing milling network.
- 1922: An Omaha mill is added and headquarters moves to Omaha.
How The Early Product World Took Shape
In the early years, milling was the core. But food is a wide field.
Over time, the portfolio began to include products that would later become household names.
Some brand origin notes appear as early as the 1940s.
- 1943: The origin story for RO*TEL is placed in this year in company milestones.
- 1948: The origin story for Marie Callender’s frozen line is placed in this year in company milestones.
The Name That Stuck: ConAgra
By the early 1970s, the company’s identity shifted in public view. A new name arrived.
In 1971, Nebraska Consolidated Mills became ConAgra, Inc. The change marked a new era.
Later filings also describe a legal and corporate structure change in the 1970s.
- 1971: Nebraska Consolidated Mills changes its name to ConAgra, Inc.
- 1976: The company is described as having been reincorporated as a Delaware corporation.
A Hard Turn In The 1970s
The 1970s were not a smooth ride. The company faced serious strain.
A historical account describes losses and deep financial pressure tied to commodity speculation.
In 1976, Mike Harper is described as becoming president and CEO during the turnaround period.
- Mid-1970s: A historical source describes losses, dividend suspension, and severe distress.
- 1976: Mike Harper is described as taking the top job during a turnaround push.
Frozen Food Opens A New Door
After crisis comes the rebuild. In 1980, a major move expanded the firm’s reach.
It acquired Banquet Foods Company. That deal is framed as an entry point into frozen foods.
Frozen would become a long-running stage for the brand story.
- 1980: Acquisition of Banquet Foods Company is listed in company milestones.
A Meal With A Mission: Healthy Choice
Some brands begin as a marketing idea. This one is told as a personal story.
Company milestones tie Healthy Choice to a health wake-up for CEO Mike Harper in 1985. The brand itself was launched in 1988 as a result of his lifestyle changes following the event.
Reddi-wip And The Appeal Of Simple Magic
Not every famous product needs a long story. Some win by doing one thing well.
Company milestones point to Reddi-wip’s invention story and early success.
It became part of a growing set of brands that lived in daily life.
- Company milestones describe Reddi-wip as driven by an aerosol valve innovation and quick early adoption.
The 1990s: Building A Pantry Of Brands
The 1990s are described as a period of major portfolio building. The method was clear.
Buy strong brands, place them inside a larger system, and expand the shelf.
Company milestones list many acquisitions tied to this era.
- Milestones list a range of brands added across the decade, including Hunt’s, Orville Redenbacher’s, Wesson, La Choy, ACT II, Hebrew National, and Slim Jim.
ConAgra Foods: A Name Built For The Public
In 2000, another name change arrived. ConAgra became ConAgra Foods, Inc.
A historical account describes this as a move to raise corporate name recognition.
That same year, a major acquisition added more familiar labels.
- 2000: The company becomes ConAgra Foods, Inc.
- 2000: Company milestones list International Home Brands as an acquisition, adding Chef Boyardee, PAM, and Gulden’s.
Research And The Drive To Improve The Shelf
Big brand houses rely on more than ads. They rely on process and product work.
In 2005, milestones describe a consolidation of research and development operations.
The result is framed as a Center for Research, Quality & Innovation.
- 2005: Milestones note consolidation into a Center for Research, Quality & Innovation.
Pruning The Portfolio In The 2000s
Growth is not only about buying. It is also about letting go.
In 2006, milestones list major divestitures. They include large meat-related brands and businesses.
It was part of a longer pattern of reshaping what the company wanted to be.
- 2006: Milestones list divestitures including Butterball, Armour, Eckrich, Swissrose, and Louis Kemp.
Hunger Work Becomes Part Of The Public Story
Food companies do not only sell food. They also face public questions about hunger.
Milestones highlight long-running work connected to America’s Second Harvest, now Feeding America.
They also describe later efforts tied to childhood hunger.
- Milestones cite a $10 million, three-year grant tied to Feeding America initiatives.
- Milestones describe a “Child Hunger Ends Here” campaign, framed as generating over 10 million meals over five years.
The 2010s Begin With More Deals
The next decade continued the pattern of buying and reshaping. Milestones list more additions.
Some moves strengthened frozen meals and familiar comfort brands.
Other moves aimed at wider control across categories.
- 2010: Milestones connect an acquisition to Marie Callender’s and Claim Jumper frozen foods.
- 2012: Milestones list acquisitions tied to Bertolli and P.F. Chang’s frozen meals businesses, plus Odom’s Tennessee Pride.
Private Label, Then A Turn Away
In 2013, milestones describe the acquisition of Ralcorp. It brought a major private label presence.
Later milestones show a shift away from that direction.
By 2016, the private label operations are described as sold to TreeHouse Foods.
- 2013: Milestones list the acquisition of Ralcorp.
- 2016: Milestones list the sale of private label operations to TreeHouse Foods.
A Milling Joint Venture: Ardent Mills
Even after decades of brand building, milling did not vanish from the story.
In 2014, milestones describe Ardent Mills beginning operations.
It is described as a joint venture of ConAgra Foods, Cargill, and CHS.
- 2014: Ardent Mills begins operations as a joint venture of ConAgra Foods, Cargill, and CHS.
A Clean Break: Lamb Weston And A New Name
In 2016, the company made one of its biggest structural moves. It separated Lamb Weston.
That same year, milestones describe a rename to Conagra Brands and a headquarters move to Chicago.
The moment reads like a pivot toward a tighter focus on consumer brands.
- 2016: Milestones list the Lamb Weston spin-off.
- 2016: Milestones list a rename to Conagra Brands.
- 2016: Milestones list headquarters moving to Chicago.
Chicago As A Signal
Chicago is not just a city. It is a food hub with deep talent.
In filings, the headquarters address is listed at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago.
It set the tone for the next phase: brand-first, consumer-first, shelf-first.
- Headquarters is listed at 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 1300, Chicago, Illinois.
Snacks, New Labels, And New Energy
After the 2016 shift, more brands arrived. Milestones show a steady rhythm of deals.
In 2017, milestones list Angie’s Artisan Treats and Thanasi Foods as acquisitions.
These moves helped push further into snacks and portable foods.
- 2017: Milestones list the acquisition of Angie’s Artisan Treats.
- 2017: Milestones list the acquisition of Thanasi Foods.
Pinnacle Foods And A Bigger Frozen Bet
In 2018, another major deal landed. The company completed the acquisition of Pinnacle Foods.
Milestones present it as a way to strengthen the portfolio.
It also reinforced the importance of frozen and refrigerated brands in the modern plan.
- 2018: Milestones list completion of the Pinnacle Foods acquisition.
The Center For Food Design
In 2019, milestones describe a plan for a Center for Food Design in Chicago.
The focus is framed around snacking. It is an attempt to keep pace with changing habits.
It also fits the broader shift toward innovation that can move fast.
- 2019: Milestones describe a plan for a Center for Food Design in Chicago.
A Move Away From A Delivery Model
Food brands rely on many routes to reach stores. Some routes are expensive and complex.
In 2019, milestones list a divestiture of the Snacks DSD business.
It is another example of pruning to sharpen focus.
- 2019: Milestones list divestiture of the Snacks DSD business.
Recognition And Public Signals
In the 2020 section of milestones, the company lists public recognition items.
It notes being a Civic 50 honoree. It also notes a perfect score on the HRC Corporate Equality Index for multiple years.
Milestones also highlight a packaging goal aimed at 2025.
- Milestones note recognition as a Civic 50 honoree (as described in the 2020 milestone section).
- Milestones note a perfect score on the HRC Corporate Equality Index (as described in the 2020 milestone section).
- Milestones describe a goal for 100% of current plastic packaging to be renewable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025.
What They Sell: A House Of Familiar Brands
The modern identity is built on packaged foods. Many brands sit across frozen, refrigerated, and shelf-stable aisles.
The brand list is long, and it spans snacks, meals, toppings, and desserts.
It is meant to meet people where they shop and where they eat.
- Examples of brands cited in company materials include Birds Eye, Duncan Hines, Healthy Choice, Marie Callender’s, Reddi-wip, Slim Jim, and Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP.
- Milestones also cite Chef Boyardee, PAM, and Gulden’s through the International Home Brands acquisition story.
How The Business Earns Money
The company describes four operating segments. The structure shows how it organizes product work and sales channels.
In its fiscal year ended May 25, 2025, total net sales are reported as $11,612.8 million.
The segments help explain where the revenue lines are drawn.
- Grocery & Snacks: branded shelf-stable foods sold through U.S. retail channels.
- Refrigerated & Frozen: branded temperature-controlled foods sold through U.S. retail channels.
- International: branded foods sold outside the U.S. in retail and foodservice channels.
- Foodservice: branded and customized foods sold to foodservice customers.
Who They Sell To
The customers include major retailers. They also include foodservice operators.
Filings describe sales through grocery, club, convenience, and other retail channels, plus e-commerce.
The company also sells to restaurants, schools, health care, travel, leisure, and government customers.
- Walmart is listed as a major customer, accounting for about 29% of consolidated net sales in fiscal 2025.
How Competition Shows Up
Competition in packaged food is constant. It can come from global brand houses or store labels.
The company states it competes throughout the food industry. The competitive set changes by aisle and category.
In a Canadian government market profile for ready meals and soups, major players listed in the category include Nestlé, HelloFresh, Kraft Heinz, Campbell Soup Company, General Mills, and Conagra Brands.
- Competition is described as broad and ongoing across retail and foodservice channels.
- Competitive pressure includes large multi-brand food companies and category-focused rivals, plus private label.
Work, People, And Culture
This kind of portfolio takes a lot of hands. In filings, the company reports about 18,300 employees as of May 25, 2025.
It also reports that about 44% of employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements.
Filings describe a values set meant to guide how teams work.
- Employees: about 18,300 as of May 25, 2025.
- Union coverage: about 44% under collective bargaining agreements.
- Values described in filings include integrity, external focus, broad-mindedness, agility, leadership, and results.
Employee Groups And Internal Community
Modern workplaces are shaped by more than org charts. Filings describe Employee Resource Groups.
These groups reflect identity, experience, and shared support.
They are listed as part of the human capital story.
- Filings list ERGs including groups for Asian, Black, Latinx, LGBTQ+ Ally, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals, and Disability + Ally communities.
Factories, Facilities, And Footprint
Packaged food is made in real places. Filings list a large manufacturing network.
As of July 10, 2025, the company reports 38 domestic manufacturing facilities across several U.S. states.
It also reports international facilities in Canada and Mexico, plus an ownership interest in an additional Mexico facility.
- As of July 10, 2025: 38 domestic manufacturing facilities.
- International facilities: Canada and Mexico, plus an ownership interest in an additional Mexico facility.
Regulation And The Real World Of Food
Food is not a free-for-all. Filings describe a regulatory landscape with many agencies.
The list includes USDA, FDA, FTC, OSHA, and EPA, among others.
This is part of the ongoing cost and complexity of running a food system at scale.
- Filings cite regulation and oversight by multiple U.S. agencies, including USDA and FDA, plus others tied to advertising, workplace safety, and environmental rules.
The Portfolio Keeps Moving
Even in recent years, the portfolio continues to evolve. Filings for fiscal 2025 describe acquisitions that contributed to results.
These are smaller than the headline deals of past decades, but they still matter.
They show the firm is still tuning the machine.
- Filings describe an acquisition of Sweetwood Smoke & Co. in August 2024.
- Filings describe acquiring an existing contract manufacturer of cooking spray products in July 2024.
How The Story Changes Over Time
The first era is milling. The second era is brand building. The third era is focus.
In milestones and filings, you can see the shift from commodity-linked roots toward branded packaged foods.
The timeline is not clean, but the direction is clear.
- Early base: Midwestern milling and consolidation.
- Expansion phase: broad acquisitions across food categories.
- Modern phase: a sharper emphasis on branded consumer packaged foods, with ongoing portfolio changes.
Timeline
Here is the company’s story, pinned to the dates that are explicitly stated in the sources.
It begins with Nebraska milling and ends with a modern brand portfolio and four operating segments.
Each marker below reflects a listed milestone or a dated filing detail.
1919
Nebraska Consolidated Mills Company is incorporated in Nebraska. Alva Kinney brings together four grain milling companies.
1922
An Omaha mill is added, and headquarters moves to Omaha.
1943
Company milestones place the RO*TEL origin story in this year.
1948
Company milestones place the origin story for Marie Callender’s frozen line in this year.
1971
Nebraska Consolidated Mills changes its name to ConAgra, Inc.
1976
A historical account describes Mike Harper becoming president and CEO during a turnaround period. Filings also describe the company as reincorporated as a Delaware corporation.
1980
Company milestones list the acquisition of Banquet Foods Company, tied to entry into frozen foods.
1988
Company milestones tie the start of Healthy Choice to Mike Harper’s health wake-up that year.
1990s
Company milestones describe a decade of brand building and list many acquisitions, including Hunt’s, Orville Redenbacher’s, Wesson, La Choy, ACT II, Hebrew National, and Slim Jim.
2000
The company becomes ConAgra Foods, Inc. Milestones list the International Home Brands acquisition, adding Chef Boyardee, PAM, and Gulden’s.
2005
Company milestones note consolidation into a Center for Research, Quality & Innovation.
2006
Company milestones list major divestitures including Butterball, Armour, Eckrich, Swissrose, and Louis Kemp.
2009
Company milestones highlight hunger-related efforts connected to America’s Second Harvest, now Feeding America.
2010
Company milestones connect an acquisition to Marie Callender’s and Claim Jumper frozen foods.
2012
Company milestones list acquisitions tied to Bertolli and P.F. Chang’s frozen meals businesses, plus Odom’s Tennessee Pride.
2013
Company milestones list the acquisition of Ralcorp.
2014
Company milestones describe Ardent Mills beginning operations as a joint venture of ConAgra Foods, Cargill, and CHS.
2016
Company milestones list the Lamb Weston spin-off, the rename to Conagra Brands, a headquarters move to Chicago, and the sale of private label operations to TreeHouse Foods.
2017
Company milestones list acquisitions including Angie’s Artisan Treats and Thanasi Foods.
2018
Company milestones list completion of the Pinnacle Foods acquisition.
2019
Company milestones describe a plan for a Center for Food Design in Chicago and list the divestiture of the Snacks DSD business.
2020
Company milestones describe recognition as a Civic 50 honoree and a perfect score on the HRC Corporate Equality Index. Milestones also describe a packaging goal aimed at 2025.
2024
Filings describe acquisitions including Sweetwood Smoke & Co. in August and an existing contract manufacturer of cooking spray products in July.
May 25, 2025
Filings report net sales of $11,612.8 million for the fiscal year ended that date. Filings also report about 18,300 employees as of that date.
July 10, 2025
Filings report 38 domestic manufacturing facilities as of that date, plus facilities in Canada and Mexico and an ownership interest in an additional Mexico facility.
Where Things Stand
By the mid-2020s, the company presents itself as a North American branded food firm.
Its business is organized into four segments that cover store aisles and foodservice kitchens.
The center of gravity sits in packaged foods that fit busy lives and familiar habits.
- Four segments: Grocery & Snacks, Refrigerated & Frozen, International, and Foodservice.
- Headquarters address is listed at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago.
What Could Come Next
The opportunity is clear: keep the brands relevant. That means new ideas and a steady read of how people eat.
The pressure is also clear: regulation, strong rivals, and powerful customers shape the field.
The next chapter is likely to mix innovation, selective deals, and continued focus.
- Milestones describe a plan for snacking innovation through a Chicago design center.
- Milestones describe a packaging goal aimed at 2025.
- Filings highlight customer concentration, with Walmart listed at about 29% of net sales in fiscal 2025.
Lessons From The Journey
This story shows how a company can change without losing its core purpose. It began by moving grain at scale.
It moved into frozen foods, then built a broad shelf of brands. Later, it narrowed focus through major structural moves.
The pattern is not a straight road. It is a series of choices that keep the business aligned with where people eat.
- Scale can be a starting point, not a final identity.
- Big change often comes through both buying and selling.
- Strong brands need renewal, not only legacy.
Sources: Conagra Brands, Encyclopedia.com, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Tyrone from Omaha, NE, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
