Hormel Foods Announces 2025 Class of Hormel Heroes Scholarship Recipients

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Hormel Foods (NYSE: HRL) announced the 2025 recipients of the $10,000 Hormel Heroes Scholarships, awarded to two students with military backgrounds pursuing restaurant, foodservice and hospitality degrees. The 2025 winners are Jazmen Wilkerson and Shawn Ruiz. The program is administered by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and to date has awarded $200,000 to 15 students.

Wilkerson is a retired Culinary Specialist First Class who served 11 years in the U.S. Navy and is studying hospitality management at Morgan State University. Ruiz is a 20-year U.S. Air Force veteran finishing hospitality management at American University. NRAEF has awarded over $27 million in scholarships since 1987; awards range from $2,500 to $10,000.

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The company awards two students with military backgrounds $10,000 scholarships to pursue careers in culinary arts and foodservice management

AUSTIN, Minn., Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food company, today announced the recipients of this year's $10,000 Hormel Heroes Scholarships.

Administered by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), the Hormel Heroes Scholarship program supports students with military backgrounds who are pursuing post-secondary degree in the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industry.

To date, the Hormel Heroes Scholarship program has awarded $200,000 to 15 students, a group that now includes this year's winners: Jazmen Wilkerson and Shawn Ruiz.

"At Hormel Foods, we're honored to support our military service members as they transition into new career paths," said Annemarie Vaupel, vice president of Foodservice Marketing at Hormel Foods. "These scholarships reflect our deep gratitude for their service and commitment, and we're thrilled to recognize our 2025 recipients, Jazmen Wilkerson and Shawn Ruiz. It's a privilege to support them as they pursue careers in the foodservice industry."

Wilkerson, a retired and disabled Culinary Specialist First Class who served 11 years in the U.S. Navy, is currently a senior at Morgan State University studying hospitality management. Upon graduation, her goal is to launch an entertainment bus company that merges food, travel and events. Her passion for hospitality stems from its ability to connect people and create lasting memories.

Ruiz, a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, is completing his senior year at American University, majoring in hospitality management with a concentration in foodservice. He plans to pursue a master's degree in project management and ultimately hopes to lead food and beverage operations for a global hospitality brand. His inspiration comes from the power of hospitality to create memorable experiences and foster human connection.

Since 1987, the NRAEF has awarded more than $27 million in scholarships and grants to over 6,300 students and foodservice educators pursuing restaurant-related degrees and professional training through its scholarships and grants programs. Awards range from $2,500 to $10,000 and can be used for tuition and fees, books, room and board, and other school-related expenses. Learn more at ChooseRestaurants.org/scholarships.

About Hormel Foods — Inspired People. Inspired Food.^™ Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minnesota, is a global branded food company withapproximately $12 billion in annual revenue. Its brands include PLANTERS^®, SKIPPY^®, SPAM^®, HORMEL^® NATURAL CHOICE^®, APPLEGATE^®, JUSTIN'S^®, WHOLLY^®, HORMEL^® BLACK LABEL^®, COLUMBUS^®, JENNIE-O^® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News & World Report, one of America's most responsible companies by Newsweek, recognized by TIME magazine as one of the World's Best Companies and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement — Inspired People. Inspired Food.^™ — to bring some of the world's most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information, visit hormelfoods.com.

Contact:	Media Relations
	Hormel Foods
	media@hormel.com

 

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SOURCE Hormel Foods Corporation

FAQ

What did Hormel Foods announce on November 11, 2025 about the Hormel Heroes Scholarship (HRL)?

Hormel Foods announced the 2025 recipients of the $10,000 Hormel Heroes Scholarships, naming Jazmen Wilkerson and Shawn Ruiz as winners.

How much is each Hormel Heroes Scholarship for HRL recipients in 2025?

Each Hormel Heroes Scholarship for 2025 is $10,000.

Who are the 2025 Hormel Heroes Scholarship winners and their backgrounds for HRL?

The winners are Jazmen Wilkerson, an 11-year U.S. Navy veteran studying hospitality at Morgan State University, and Shawn Ruiz, a 20-year U.S. Air Force veteran studying hospitality at American University.

How much has the Hormel Heroes program awarded in total and how many students have benefited?

To date the Hormel Heroes Scholarship program has awarded $200,000 to 15 students.

Who administers the Hormel Heroes Scholarship and what is the broader NRAEF scholarship history?

The program is administered by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, which has awarded over $27 million to more than 6,300 students and educators since 1987.