ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Available Information
The company makes available, free of charge through its Internet website at http://conagrafoods.com, its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The company has adopted a Code of Ethics for Senior Corporate Officers that applies to the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President of Operations, Control and Development, and Controller. This Code, and the company’s Corporate Governance Principles, Code of Conduct, and charters for each committee of the Board of Directors are posted on the company’s website.
a) General Development of Business
ConAgra Foods, Inc. (“ConAgra Foods” or the “company”) is a leading packaged food company serving a wide variety of food customers. The company’s packaged foods and food ingredients segments accounted for approximately 92% of its fiscal 2003 net sales of $19.8 billion.
Over time, the company, which was first incorporated in 1919, has grown through acquisitions, operations and internal brand development. The company’s more significant acquisitions have included Beatrice Company in 1990, Golden Valley Microwave Foods in 1992 and International Home Foods in 2001. In recent years, ConAgra Foods has been pursuing an acquisition and divestiture strategy to shift its focus toward its core branded and value-added food products.
During fiscal 2003, the company divested a controlling interest in its fresh beef and pork business (“fresh beef and pork divestiture”), its canned seafood operations, significant cheese operations, and committed to a plan to sell its chicken operations. On June 9, 2003, the company announced an agreement to sell its chicken operations; the company expects to close the transaction in the summer of 2003. These divestitures are part of an ongoing program to focus on higher-margin opportunities to improve overall company financial results.
b) Financial Information about Reporting Segments
The company’s operations are classified into four reporting segments: Packaged Foods, Food Ingredients, Agricultural Products and Meat Processing. The contributions of each reporting segment to net sales and operating profit, and the identifiable assets attributable to each reporting segment are set forth in Note 21 “Business Segments and Related Information” on pages 68 through 70 of the company’s 2003 Annual Report to Stockholders and are incorporated herein by reference. As a result of the fresh beef and pork divestiture and the planned chicken business divestiture, the company will no longer have any Meat Processing segment activities beginning in fiscal 2004.
c) Narrative Description of Business
The company competes throughout the food industry and focuses on adding value for customers who sell into the retail food, foodservice, ingredients and agricultural products channels.
ConAgra Foods reporting segments are described below. The ConAgra Foods companies and locations, including distribution facilities, within each reporting segment, are described in Item 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The company’s corporate headquarters are located in Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.A. The general offices and location of principal operations are set forth in the following list of ConAgra Foods’ locations.
The company maintains a number of distribution facilities, in addition to distribution facilities and warehouse space available at substantially all of its manufacturing facilities.
Utilization of manufacturing capacity varies by type of product manufactured, plant and time available. In general, ConAgra Foods operates most of its manufacturing facilities in excess of 70% of standard industry capacity. Standards vary by industry from 40 hours per week to greater than 120 hours per week.
Most principal manufacturing facilities are held in fee. However, many parcels of land, machinery and buildings, and substantially all of ConAgra Foods’ transportation equipment used in its processing and merchandising operations, are leased.
PACKAGED FOODS REPORTING SEGMENT
Frozen Foods Group General offices in Omaha, Nebraska.
ConAgra Frozen Foods
General and sales offices in Omaha, Nebraska.
Seven manufacturing facilities in Arkansas, Ohio, Iowa and Missouri. Product development facility in Omaha, Nebraska.
Grocery Foods Group General offices in Irvine, California.
ConAgra Grocery Products Company
General offices in Irvine, California.
Product development facility in Irvine, California. 15 manufacturing plants in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, California, Texas, Georgia, Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri and Iowa. Over 15 grocery sales offices in Arizona, Texas, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Ohio, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Arkansas, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, California and Florida.
ConAgra Store Brands
General offices in Lakeville, Minnesota.
Three manufacturing facilities in Minnesota and Illinois.
Snack Foods Group General offices in Edina, Minnesota.
ConAgra Snack Foods
General offices in Edina, Minnesota.
Eleven plants in Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Missouri, and California. Popcorn storage warehouse in Nebraska, product development facility in Eden Prairie, Minnesota and microwave packaging production facility in Maple Grove, Minnesota.
Refrigerated Foods Group General offices in Downers Grove, Illinois and Lincoln, Nebraska.
Product development in Downers Grove and 26 plants in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska, Kansas, Arkansas, Iowa, Ohio, Maryland, Minnesota, Massachusetts and Missouri. Distribution centers in Kansas, Michigan, Illinois and Hawaii.
International Foods Group
General offices in Toronto, Canada.
Canadian Foods Group
General offices in Toronto, Canada
Five manufacturing facilities and five sales offices in Canada.
Mexican Foods Group
General offices in Mexico City, Mexico.
One manufacturing facility and eight sales offices in Mexico.
Distributor Markets
General offices in Irvine, California and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Eight regional sales offices covering markets outside of Canada and Mexico.
One manufacturing facility in Manchester, England.
Retail Administration General offices in Omaha, Nebraska.
ConAgra Foods Logistics
General offices in Omaha, Nebraska and Schaumburg, Illinois.
Eight distribution centers located in Tennessee, Florida, Texas, California, Pennsylvania, and Indiana.
Foodservice Group General offices in Omaha, Nebraska.
Specialty Potato Products
Administrative offices in Tri-Cities, Washington and Idaho
Thirteen plants in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, North Carolina, Minnesota (50-percent owned) and Alberta, Canada. Three plants in The Netherlands (50-percent owned). Farming operations in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Product development facility in Richland, Washington. Executive office, sales, marketing and international business development center in Eagle, Idaho.
Mexican Foods Group- Fernando’s Foods Corporation
General offices in Los Angeles, California and Omaha, Nebraska.
One Mexican food processing facility in California, flour and corn tortilla processing facilities in Nebraska and Kentucky.
ConAgra Refrigerated Foodservice
General offices in Downers Grove, Illinois.
Nine meat plants and one cheese processing facility in Illinois, Indiana, California, Alabama, Texas, Minnesota and Colorado.
ConAgra Seafood Companies
General offices in Tampa, Florida and Santa Fe Springs, California.
Facilities in Florida, Texas, New Jersey and Washington.
ConAgra Diversified Foods Group
General offices in Irvine, California.
One tomato processing plant located in Helm, California, one toppings plant located in Humboldt, Tennessee, and three division sales offices.
Deli Foods Group General offices in Downers Grove, Illinois.
Facilities in New Jersey and Indiana. Product development in Downers Grove, Illinois.
FOOD INGREDIENTS REPORTING SEGMENT
ConAgra Food Ingredients Company
General offices in Omaha, Nebraska.
Milled Ingredients
General offices in Omaha, Nebraska.
Flour mills in Illinois, Oklahoma, California, Ohio, Colorado, Alabama, Nebraska, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Georgia, Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico. Corn processing facility in Kansas and oat processing facilities in Nebraska and Canada.
Specialty Ingredients
General offices in Omaha, Nebraska.
Production facilities for spices, seasonings, chiles, garlic, onion and vegetables in Illinois, New Jersey, Utah, California, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, and Santiago, Chile. Food ingredients distribution businesses in Iowa with distribution centers in Texas, Illinois and Colorado.
Basic Ingredients
General offices in Omaha, Nebraska.
Grain merchandising offices, grain elevators, and grain, feed ingredients and edible bean processing
facilities in the United States and Canada. International marketing offices in Mexico, Italy, Hong Kong, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Australia. Fertilizer sourcing and distribution with general offices in Savannah, Georgia facilitated through terminals along the Mississippi river system. Poultry and animal feed facilities in Portugal and Spain. Malt joint ventures with barley malting facilities in the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. Two animal feed plants in Georgia and Alabama. Energy and agricultural commodity trading and risk management services with general offices in Omaha, Nebraska.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS REPORTING SEGMENT
United Agri Products General offices in Greeley, Colorado.
United Agri Products Companies
General offices in Greeley, Colorado.
Seven formulation facilities in the United States and 526 field sales, administration, warehouse, and joint venture locations in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Mexico, South Africa, Chile, Argentina and France.
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Poultry Group General offices in Duluth, Georgia.
ConAgra Broiler Company
General offices in Duluth, Georgia.
Fourteen broiler growing and processing divisions in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Puerto Rico. Four further processing cook plants in Georgia, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Louisiana.
Professional Food Systems
General offices in El Dorado, Arkansas.
Thirteen sales and distribution units in Texas, Tennessee, California, Louisiana, North Carolina, Utah, Mississippi, Iowa and Wisconsin.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In fiscal 1991, ConAgra Foods acquired Beatrice Company (“Beatrice”). As a result of the acquisition and the significant pre-acquisition contingencies of the Beatrice businesses and its former subsidiaries, the consolidated post-acquisition financial statements of the company reflect significant liabilities associated with the estimated resolution of these contingencies. These include various litigation and environmental proceedings related to businesses divested by Beatrice prior to its acquisition by the company. The environmental proceedings include litigation and administrative proceedings involving Beatrice’s status as a potentially responsible party at 34 Superfund, proposed Superfund or state-equivalent sites; these sites involve locations previously owned or operated by predecessors of Beatrice which used or produced petroleum, pesticides, fertilizers, dyes, inks, solvents, PCBs, acids, lead, sulfur, tannery wastes, and / or other contaminants. Beatrice has paid or is in the process of paying its liability share at 29 of these sites. Adequate reserves for these matters have been established based on the company’s best estimate of its undiscounted remediation liabilities, which estimates include evaluation of investigatory studies, extent of required cleanup, the known volumetric contribution of Beatrice and other potentially responsible parties and its experience in remediating sites. The reserves for Beatrice environmental matters totaled $121.2 million as of May 25, 2003, and $119.3 million as of May 26, 2002, a majority of which relates to the Superfund and state equivalent sites referenced above. Expenditures for these matters are expected to occur over a period of 5 to 20 years.
On June 22, 2001, the company filed an amended annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 28,
2000. The filing included restated financial information for fiscal years 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000. The restatement, due to accounting and conduct matters at its United Agri Products, Inc. subsidiary (“UAP”), was based upon an investigation undertaken by the company and the Audit Committee of its Board of Directors. The restatement was principally related to revenue recognition for deferred delivery sales and vendor rebates, advance vendor rebates, and bad debt reserves. The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued a formal order of nonpublic investigation dated September 28, 2001. The company is cooperating with the SEC investigation, which relates to the UAP matters described above, as well as other aspects of the company’s financial statements, including the level and application of certain of the company’s reserves.
On August 10, 2001, a purported class action lawsuit, Gebhardt v. ConAgra Foods, Inc., et. al. Case No. 810CV427, was filed in United States District Court for Nebraska against the company and certain of its executive officers alleging violations of the federal securities laws in connection with the events resulting in the company’s restatement of its financial statements. The complaint seeks a declaration that the action is maintainable as a class action and that the plaintiff is a proper class representative, unspecified compensatory damages, reasonable attorneys’ fees and any other relief deemed proper by the court. On July 23, 2002, the federal district court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss the lawsuit and entered judgment in favor of the company and the executive officers. On June 30, 2003, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the dismissal and remanded the action for further proceedings in the district court. The company believes the lawsuit is without merit and plans to vigorously defend the action.
On September 26, 2001, a shareholder derivative action was filed, purportedly on behalf of the company, by plaintiffs Anthony F. Rolfes and Sandra S. Rolfes in the Court of Chancery for the State of Delaware in New Castle County, Case No. 19130NC. The complaint alleges that the defendants, directors of the company during the relevant times, breached fiduciary duties in connection with events resulting in the company’s restatement of its financial statements. The action seeks, inter alia, recovery to the company, which is named as a nominal defendant in the action, of damages allegedly sustained by the company and a direction to the defendants to establish programs to prevent wrongful and illegal practices. On October 9, 2001, a second shareholder derivative action was filed, purportedly on behalf of the company, by plaintiff Harbor Finance Partners in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, Case No. 401CV3255. The complaint contains allegations and seeks relief similar to the Delaware derivative action. The directors named as defendants in these actions intend to vigorously defend the allegations and believe the actions are without merit.
The company is a party to a number of other lawsuits and claims arising out of the operation of its businesses. After taking into account liabilities recorded for all of the foregoing matters, management believes the ultimate resolution of such matters should not have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
Not applicable.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT AS OF AUGUST 1, 2003
The foregoing executive officers have held the specified positions with ConAgra Foods for the past five years, except as follows:
Dwight J. Goslee joined ConAgra Foods in 1985, and from 1997 through 2000 was Senior Vice President, Mergers and Acquisitions. In March 2001, he was named to his current position of Executive Vice President, Operations Control and Development.
Owen C. Johnson was Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Corporate Communications and Administration of NISOURCE from 1990 to 1998. He joined ConAgra Foods as Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Administration in June 1998 and was named Executive Vice President in 2001.
Jay D. Bolding joined ConAgra Foods in 1997 as Vice President, Business Processes and Financial Analysis. He became Vice President, Controller in February 1999 and was named Senior Vice President in June 2000.
Michael D. Walter joined ConAgra Foods in 1989 as President of ConAgra Specialty Grain Products. He was named to Senior Vice President, Trading and Procurement in October 1996 and to his current position in February 2000.
Christopher W. Klinefelter held various positions, including Assistant Vice President, Corporate Development of Brown-Forman from 1996 to 2000. He joined them as a Business Analyst in 1996. He joined ConAgra Foods in January 2000 as Vice President, Investor Relations.
Scott E. Messel was Vice President and Treasurer of Lennox International from 1999 to 2001. Prior to that, he was Vice President, Treasurer of Flowserve Corporation from 1998 to 1999, and Vice President and Director, International Treasury with Ralston Purina Company from 1992 to 1997.
Anita L. Wheeler was Director of Staffing of Allied Signal from 1996 to 1998. She joined ConAgra Foods in 1999 as Vice President, Executive Staffing and Development and was named to her current position in 2002.
OTHER SIGNIFICANT EMPLOYEES OF THE REGISTRANT AS OF AUGUST 1, 2003
William G. Caskey joined the company in 1998 as Vice President Sales, Foodservice, and was named to his current position in June 2003. Prior to joining the company, Mr. Caskey was President of Manufacturing at Rykoff - Sexton.
L. Kenneth Cordell joined the company in 2001 as Vice President of United Agri Products and was named to his current position in January 2002. Prior to joining the company Mr. Cordell was with FMC Corporation as North America Area Director and Global Herbicide Director in 2001, North America Area Director from 1998 to 2001, and Global Business Director, Herbicide from 1995 to 1998.
Gregory A. Heckman joined the company in 1984 and served as President and Chief Operating Officer, ConAgra Trade Group, from 1998 to 2001 and as President and Chief Operating Officer, ConAgra Agricultural Products Company in 2002. He was named to his current position in early 2003.
R. Dean Hollis was President of Gilardi Foods from 1998 to March 2000 and was named to his current position in 2000.
Douglas A. Knudsen was named to his current position in 2003. Prior to that, Mr. Knudsen was President, Retail Sales, from 2001 to 2003, and was President of Grocery Product Sales from 1995 to 2001.
Kevin T. Kotecki joined ConAgra Foods as President and Chief Operating Officer, Refrigerated Foods Group, in May 2003. Prior to joining the company, Mr. Kotecki was President of Brach’s Confections from 2000 to 2003, and Area Vice President and General Manager, Coors Brewing Company from 1997 to 2000.
Allan B. Lutz was named to his current position upon joining the company in June 2003. Prior to that, Mr. Lutz was President, Foodservice Division of Nestle from 1997 to 2003.
John S. McKeon joined ConAgra Foods as President of Golden Valley Microwave Foods in 1993, and held that position until he was named to his current position in 2002.
Dennis F. O’Brien was President, Store Brands from 2000 to 2001, and was Executive Vice President and General Manager, Grocery Products from July 2001 to December 2001. Prior to joining the company, Mr. O’Brien was Senior Vice President, Marketing and Product Development for Armstrong Industries from 1996 to 2000.
Richard G. Scalise joined the company in 1997 as President of the ASE Deli/Foodservice Company. He was named President and Chief Operating Officer, ConAgra Dairy Foods Group during 2000 and to his current position in November 2002.
F. Martin Thrasher was named to his current position upon joining the company in 2001. Prior to joining the company, Mr. Thrasher was with Campbell Soup Company where he served in various positions since 1996 including President North America from 2000 to 2001.
Ian F. Troop joined ConAgra Foods as President, ConAgra International Canada/Latin America in 2002. Prior to joining the company, Mr. Troop was with Procter & Gamble as Vice President, North America Juice Products, from 1999 to 2001 and Vice President Strategic Planning, Global Baby Care from 1997 to 1998.
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
ConAgra Foods common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange where it trades under the ticker symbol: CAG. At the end of fiscal 2003, 536.8 million shares of common stock were outstanding, including 7.4 million shares held in the company’s Employee Equity Fund. There were approximately 34,000 shareholders of record, 41,500 holders via ConAgra Foods’ 401(k) plan for employees and more than 212,000 “street-name” beneficial holders whose shares are held in names other than their own. During fiscal 2003, 500.9 million shares were traded, a daily average of approximately 2.0 million shares.
Quarterly sales price and dividend information is incorporated herein by reference to Note 22 “Quarterly Results (Unaudited)” on page 70 of the company’s 2003 Annual Report to Stockholders.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Incorporated herein by reference to “Selected Financial Data” on page 34 of the company’s 2003 Annual Report to Stockholders.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Incorporated herein by reference to “Management’s Discussion & Analysis” on pages 35 through 49 of the company’s 2003 Annual Report to Stockholders.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Incorporated herein by reference to the subsection “Market Risk” in “Management’s Discussion & Analysis” on pages 47 through 49 of the company’s 2003 Annual Report to Stockholders.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The following consolidated financial statements of ConAgra Foods and Subsidiaries and Independent Auditors’ Report set forth on pages 50 through 71 of the company’s 2003 Annual Report to Stockholders are incorporated herein by reference:
Consolidated Statements of Earnings-Years ended May 25, 2003, May 26, 2002 and May 27, 2001
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income-Years ended May 25, 2003, May 26, 2002 and May 27, 2001
Consolidated Balance Sheets-May 25, 2003 and May 26, 2002
Consolidated Statements of Common Stockholders’ Equity-Years ended May 25, 2003, May 26, 2002 and May 27, 2001
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows-Years ended May 25, 2003, May 26, 2002 and May 27, 2001
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Independent Auditors’ Report
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
Incorporated herein by reference to “Board of Directors and Election” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the company’s 2003 Proxy Statement. Information concerning Executive Officers of the company is included in Part I above.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Incorporated herein by reference to (i) “Executive Compensation” through “Benefit Plans and Retirement Programs” in the company’s 2003 Proxy Statement, and (ii) information on director compensation in “Directors’ Meetings and Compensation” in the company’s 2003 Proxy Statement .
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Incorporated herein by reference to “Voting Securities Owned by Certain Beneficial Owners” and “Voting Securities Owned by Executive Officers and Directors” of the company’s 2003 Proxy Statement.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table gives information about ConAgra Foods common stock that may be issued upon the exercise of options, warrants and rights under existing equity compensation plans as of May 25, 2003.
(1) This table does not include outstanding options for 287,656 shares at a weighted average exercise price of $12.4458 per share; these options were assumed in connection with two acquisitions in fiscal 1999 and 2001. No additional awards can be granted under the plans that originally issued these options.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Incorporated herein by reference to (i) paragraphs eight through ten of “Directors’ Meetings and Compensation” in the company’s 2003 Proxy Statement, and (ii) the last paragraph of “Benefit Plans and Retirement Programs” in the company’s 2003 Proxy Statement.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The company carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the company’s management, including the company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the company’s disclosure controls and procedures provide reasonable assurance that such disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely providing them with material information relating to the company (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in the company’s periodic Securities and Exchange Commission filings. There were no significant changes in the company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the fourth fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, such internal controls.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
a) List of documents filed as part of this report:
1. Financial Statements
All financial statements of the company as set forth under Item 8 of this report on Form 10-K.
2. Financial Statement Schedules
Schedule
Number
Description
Page
Number
S-II
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, or not required, or because the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements, notes thereto.
3. Exhibits
All exhibits as set forth on the Exhibit Index, which is incorporated herein by reference.
b) Reports on Form 8-K
The company filed a report on Form 8-K on June 26, 2003 announcing the issuance of a press release and posting of a Q&A document on the company’s website with earnings information on the company’s fourth quarter and fiscal year ended May 25, 2003.
The company filed a report on Form 8-K on June 9, 2003 announcing that ConAgra Foods, Inc. announced an agreement to sell its chicken business to Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, ConAgra Foods, Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on the 8th day of August, 2003.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 8th day of August, 2003.
* Bruce C. Rohde, by signing his name hereto, signs this annual report on behalf of each person indicated. A Power-of-Attorney authorizing Bruce C. Rohde to sign this annual report on Form 10-K on behalf of each of the indicated Directors of ConAgra Foods, Inc. has been filed herein as Exhibit 24.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
ConAgra Foods, Inc.
Omaha, Nebraska
We have audited the consolidated financial statements of ConAgra Foods, Inc. and subsidiaries as of May 25, 2003 and May 26, 2002, and for each of the three years in the period ended May 25, 2003, and have issued our report thereon dated July 11, 2003 (which report expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an explanatory paragraph relating to change in methods of accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets in 2003 and derivative instruments and other hedging activities in 2002); such consolidated financial statements and report are included in your 2003 Annual Report to Stockholders and are incorporated herein by reference. Our audits also included the consolidated financial statement schedule of ConAgra Foods, Inc. and subsidiaries, listed in Item 15. This consolidated financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits. In our opinion, such consolidated financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
Schedule II
CONAGRA FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
For the Fiscal Years ended May 25, 2003, May 26, 2002 and May 27, 2001 (in millions)
(1) Bad debts charged off, less recoveries.
(2) Primarily reserve accounts of acquired businesses less reserve accounts of divested businesses and foreign currency translation adjustments.
EXHIBIT INDEX
32.1
Section 906 Certificates
99.1
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Statement of Earnings
Pursuant to Item 601(b)(4) of Regulation S-K, certain instruments with respect to ConAgra Foods’ long-term debt are not filed with this Form 10-K. ConAgra Foods will furnish a copy of any such long-term debt agreement to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
Except for those portions of ConAgra Foods, Inc.’s Annual Report to Stockholders for its fiscal year ended May 25, 2003 (such portions filed hereto as Exhibit 13) specifically incorporated by reference in the report on Form 10-K, such annual report is furnished solely for the information of the Securities and Exchange Commission and is not to be deemed “filed” as part of this filing.
Items 10.1 through 10.14 are management contracts or compensatory plans filed as exhibits pursuant to Item 14(c) of Form 10-K.