Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food company, today celebrated the official opening of its new $5 million, 13,000-square foot childcare center in Austin, Minnesota. Hormel Foods joins a small but growing number of employers across the nation that are offering childcare to provide a needed service for team members and to recruit working parents in today's tight labor market.

"At Hormel Foods, we are always striving to ensure Austin and the surrounding areas are a prime destination for top talent," said Angie Bissen, Human Resources manager for Hormel Foods. "One of the main insights gathered from our research and from other employers in the area is the critical importance of accessible childcare options. The Inspired Beginnings Learning Academy is one of the many contributors to vibrant economic development in our community."

Operated in partnership with Bright Horizons, the country's largest provider of employer-sponsored childcare, the Inspired Beginnings Learning Academy will serve up to 130 children, ages six months - school age. The center will feature a Discovery Driven Learning(TM) approach to inspire curiosity, health and safety policies backed by experts, as well as educator-created curriculum to support school readiness.

"Bright Horizons is proud to partner with Hormel Foods to provide a high-quality childcare center for their team members," said Bryson McCargar, center director, Inspired Beginnings Learning Academy. "We're excited to be a part of the first stage of learning for their team members' children here at the center. All of our programs are geared to ensure children have the language, math, science and social skills they need for elementary school, and we're also able to help parents incorporate learning experiences in their children's home life as well."

The Inspired Beginnings Learning Academy will be open Monday through Friday from 6:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. To learn more about the Inspired Beginnings Learning Academy, visit http://www.brighthorizons.com/inspiredbeginnings.

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