[DEF 14A] Seneca Foods Corp Definitive Proxy Statement
Estate of Daniel L. Goodwin has filed Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13G for Byline Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BY). The filing shows beneficial ownership of 13,613 common shares, equal to approximately 0.0% of the 46.14 million shares outstanding as of 12 June 2025. All voting and dispositive power over the shares is shared; the estate reports no sole voting or dispositive authority. The estate also disclaims beneficial ownership because the shares are held through an indirect holding-company structure. Since the stake is now well below the 5% reporting threshold, the amendment primarily serves to update ownership levels and certify that the securities are not held to influence control of the issuer.
L'eredità di Daniel L. Goodwin ha presentato l'Emendamento n. 2 al Modulo 13G per Byline Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BY). La dichiarazione indica una proprietà beneficiaria di 13.613 azioni ordinarie, pari a circa lo 0,0% delle 46,14 milioni di azioni in circolazione al 12 giugno 2025. Tutti i diritti di voto e di disposizione sulle azioni sono condivisi; l'eredità dichiara di non avere autorità esclusiva di voto o di disposizione. Inoltre, l'eredità rinuncia alla proprietà beneficiaria poiché le azioni sono detenute tramite una struttura di holding indiretta. Poiché la quota è ora ben al di sotto della soglia di segnalazione del 5%, l'emendamento serve principalmente ad aggiornare i livelli di proprietà e a certificare che i titoli non sono detenuti per influenzare il controllo dell'emittente.
La herencia de Daniel L. Goodwin ha presentado la Enmienda No. 2 al Anexo 13G para Byline Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BY). La presentación muestra una propiedad beneficiaria de 13,613 acciones comunes, lo que equivale a aproximadamente el 0.0% de las 46.14 millones de acciones en circulación al 12 de junio de 2025. Todo el poder de voto y disposición sobre las acciones es compartido; la herencia informa que no tiene autoridad exclusiva de voto o disposición. Además, la herencia renuncia a la propiedad beneficiaria ya que las acciones se mantienen a través de una estructura de holding indirecta. Dado que la participación está ahora muy por debajo del umbral de reporte del 5%, la enmienda sirve principalmente para actualizar los niveles de propiedad y certificar que los valores no se mantienen para influir en el control del emisor.
Daniel L. Goodwin의 유산이 Byline Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BY)에 대한 스케줄 13G 수정안 2호를 제출했습니다. 제출서류에 따르면 13,613주 보통주를 실질적으로 소유하고 있으며, 이는 2025년 6월 12일 기준 총 4,614만 주 중 약 0.0%에 해당합니다. 모든 의결권 및 처분권은 공동으로 보유하고 있으며, 유산 측은 단독 의결권이나 처분권이 없음을 보고하였습니다. 또한, 유산 측은 주식이 간접 지주회사 구조를 통해 보유되어 있어 실질 소유권을 부인하고 있습니다. 지분이 이제 5% 보고 기준선 이하로 크게 낮아졌기 때문에, 이번 수정안은 주로 소유 수준을 업데이트하고 해당 증권이 발행자의 지배권에 영향을 미치기 위해 보유된 것이 아님을 인증하는 데 목적이 있습니다.
La succession de Daniel L. Goodwin a déposé l'amendement n° 2 au formulaire 13G pour Byline Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE : BY). Le dépôt indique une propriété bénéficiaire de 13 613 actions ordinaires, soit environ 0,0 % des 46,14 millions d'actions en circulation au 12 juin 2025. Tous les droits de vote et de disposition sur les actions sont partagés ; la succession déclare ne pas détenir de pouvoir exclusif de vote ou de disposition. Elle renonce également à la propriété bénéficiaire car les actions sont détenues via une structure de holding indirecte. Étant donné que la participation est désormais bien en dessous du seuil de déclaration de 5 %, cet amendement sert principalement à mettre à jour les niveaux de propriété et à certifier que les titres ne sont pas détenus dans le but d'influencer le contrôle de l'émetteur.
Der Nachlass von Daniel L. Goodwin hat die Änderung Nr. 2 zum Schedule 13G für Byline Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BY) eingereicht. Die Einreichung zeigt eine wirtschaftliche Beteiligung von 13.613 Stammaktien, was etwa 0,0 % der 46,14 Millionen ausstehenden Aktien zum 12. Juni 2025 entspricht. Alle Stimm- und Verfügungsrechte über die Aktien werden gemeinsam ausgeübt; der Nachlass gibt an, keine alleinigen Stimm- oder Verfügungsrechte zu besitzen. Der Nachlass lehnt zudem eine wirtschaftliche Eigentümerschaft ab, da die Aktien über eine indirekte Holdingstruktur gehalten werden. Da der Anteil nun deutlich unter der Meldegrenze von 5 % liegt, dient die Änderung hauptsächlich dazu, die Eigentumsverhältnisse zu aktualisieren und zu bestätigen, dass die Wertpapiere nicht gehalten werden, um die Kontrolle über den Emittenten zu beeinflussen.
- None.
- None.
Insights
TL;DR – Estate discloses only 0% stake; administrative update, minimal market impact.
This 13G/A signals that the Estate of Daniel L. Goodwin’s economic interest in Byline Bancorp has declined to 13,613 shares, effectively a rounding error against the 46 million-plus float. The estate retains shared voting/dispositive power, but the certification confirms no intent to influence control. Such a de-minimis holding neither pressures management nor offers a strategic signal for other investors. Trading liquidity and valuation should remain unaffected. The filing is thus routine compliance, not a catalyst.
L'eredità di Daniel L. Goodwin ha presentato l'Emendamento n. 2 al Modulo 13G per Byline Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BY). La dichiarazione indica una proprietà beneficiaria di 13.613 azioni ordinarie, pari a circa lo 0,0% delle 46,14 milioni di azioni in circolazione al 12 giugno 2025. Tutti i diritti di voto e di disposizione sulle azioni sono condivisi; l'eredità dichiara di non avere autorità esclusiva di voto o di disposizione. Inoltre, l'eredità rinuncia alla proprietà beneficiaria poiché le azioni sono detenute tramite una struttura di holding indiretta. Poiché la quota è ora ben al di sotto della soglia di segnalazione del 5%, l'emendamento serve principalmente ad aggiornare i livelli di proprietà e a certificare che i titoli non sono detenuti per influenzare il controllo dell'emittente.
La herencia de Daniel L. Goodwin ha presentado la Enmienda No. 2 al Anexo 13G para Byline Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BY). La presentación muestra una propiedad beneficiaria de 13,613 acciones comunes, lo que equivale a aproximadamente el 0.0% de las 46.14 millones de acciones en circulación al 12 de junio de 2025. Todo el poder de voto y disposición sobre las acciones es compartido; la herencia informa que no tiene autoridad exclusiva de voto o disposición. Además, la herencia renuncia a la propiedad beneficiaria ya que las acciones se mantienen a través de una estructura de holding indirecta. Dado que la participación está ahora muy por debajo del umbral de reporte del 5%, la enmienda sirve principalmente para actualizar los niveles de propiedad y certificar que los valores no se mantienen para influir en el control del emisor.
Daniel L. Goodwin의 유산이 Byline Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BY)에 대한 스케줄 13G 수정안 2호를 제출했습니다. 제출서류에 따르면 13,613주 보통주를 실질적으로 소유하고 있으며, 이는 2025년 6월 12일 기준 총 4,614만 주 중 약 0.0%에 해당합니다. 모든 의결권 및 처분권은 공동으로 보유하고 있으며, 유산 측은 단독 의결권이나 처분권이 없음을 보고하였습니다. 또한, 유산 측은 주식이 간접 지주회사 구조를 통해 보유되어 있어 실질 소유권을 부인하고 있습니다. 지분이 이제 5% 보고 기준선 이하로 크게 낮아졌기 때문에, 이번 수정안은 주로 소유 수준을 업데이트하고 해당 증권이 발행자의 지배권에 영향을 미치기 위해 보유된 것이 아님을 인증하는 데 목적이 있습니다.
La succession de Daniel L. Goodwin a déposé l'amendement n° 2 au formulaire 13G pour Byline Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE : BY). Le dépôt indique une propriété bénéficiaire de 13 613 actions ordinaires, soit environ 0,0 % des 46,14 millions d'actions en circulation au 12 juin 2025. Tous les droits de vote et de disposition sur les actions sont partagés ; la succession déclare ne pas détenir de pouvoir exclusif de vote ou de disposition. Elle renonce également à la propriété bénéficiaire car les actions sont détenues via une structure de holding indirecte. Étant donné que la participation est désormais bien en dessous du seuil de déclaration de 5 %, cet amendement sert principalement à mettre à jour les niveaux de propriété et à certifier que les titres ne sont pas détenus dans le but d'influencer le contrôle de l'émetteur.
Der Nachlass von Daniel L. Goodwin hat die Änderung Nr. 2 zum Schedule 13G für Byline Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BY) eingereicht. Die Einreichung zeigt eine wirtschaftliche Beteiligung von 13.613 Stammaktien, was etwa 0,0 % der 46,14 Millionen ausstehenden Aktien zum 12. Juni 2025 entspricht. Alle Stimm- und Verfügungsrechte über die Aktien werden gemeinsam ausgeübt; der Nachlass gibt an, keine alleinigen Stimm- oder Verfügungsrechte zu besitzen. Der Nachlass lehnt zudem eine wirtschaftliche Eigentümerschaft ab, da die Aktien über eine indirekte Holdingstruktur gehalten werden. Da der Anteil nun deutlich unter der Meldegrenze von 5 % liegt, dient die Änderung hauptsächlich dazu, die Eigentumsverhältnisse zu aktualisieren und zu bestätigen, dass die Wertpapiere nicht gehalten werden, um die Kontrolle über den Emittenten zu beeinflussen.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant ☒
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
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(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) |
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant) |
Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):
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SENECA FOODS CORPORATION
350 WillowBrook Office Park
Fairport, New York 14450
July 7, 2025
Dear Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Seneca Foods Corporation (the “Company”), to be held on Thursday, August 7, 2025 at 1:00 PM, Central Daylight Time, at the Company’s Offices, 418 East Conde Street, Janesville, WI 53546.
Information about the Annual Meeting is included in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement which follow.
It is important that your shares of Common and Preferred Stock be represented at the Annual Meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, I urge you to give your immediate attention to voting. Please review the enclosed materials, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.
Very truly yours, |
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/s/ Paul L. Palmby |
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PAUL L. PALMBY |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |

SENECA FOODS CORPORATION
350 WillowBrook Office Park
Fairport, New York 14450
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 7, 2025
To the Shareholders of Seneca Foods Corporation:
You are hereby notified that the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Seneca Foods Corporation (the “Company”) will be held at the Company’s Offices, 418 East Conde Street, Janesville, WI 53546, on Thursday, August 7, 2025 at 1:00 PM, Central Daylight Time, for the following purposes (which are more fully described in the accompanying proxy statement):
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Only shareholders of record at the close of business on June 13, 2025 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment thereof.
The prompt return of your proxy will avoid delay and save the expense involved in further communication. The proxy may be revoked by you at any time prior to its exercise, and the giving of your proxy will not affect your right to vote in person if you wish to attend the Annual Meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors |
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/s/ John D. Exner |
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JOHN D. EXNER |
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Secretary |
DATED: July 7, 2025
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on August 7, 2025. This proxy statement, form of proxy and the Company’s annual report are available at http://www.senecafoods.com/investors.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE 2025 ANNUAL MEETING |
2 |
PROPOSAL ONE: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
5 |
Information Concerning Directors |
5 |
BOARD GOVERNANCE |
7 |
Independent Directors |
7 |
Leadership Structure |
7 |
Board Oversight of Risk Management |
7 |
Committees and Meeting Data |
7 |
Nominating Procedures |
8 |
Board Attendance at Meetings |
8 |
Shareholder Communication with the Board |
8 |
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
9 |
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS |
10 |
Compensation Discussion and Analysis |
10 |
Summary Compensation Table |
14 |
Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Fiscal Year 2025 |
15 |
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2025 |
15 |
Option Exercises and Stock Vested in Fiscal Year 2025 |
16 |
Pension Benefits |
16 |
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table | 16 |
Pay Ratio Disclosure |
17 |
Pay Versus Performance Disclosure |
17 |
Compensation of Directors |
20 |
Compensation Committee Interlocks |
21 |
Certain Transactions and Relationships |
21 |
OWNERSHIP OF COMPANY STOCK |
21 |
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners |
21 |
Security Ownership of Management and Directors |
25 |
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports |
26 |
PROPOSAL TWO: RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM |
27 |
AUDIT COMMITTEE MATTERS |
28 |
Report of the Audit Committee |
28 |
Change in Accountant |
29 |
Principal Accountant Fees and Services |
29 |
OTHER MATTERS |
29 |
DIRECTORS’ AND OFFICERS’ INDEMNIFICATION INSURANCE |
29 |
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2026 ANNUAL MEETING |
30 |
Proposals for the Company’s Proxy Material |
30 |
Proposals to be Introduced at the Annual Meeting but not Intended to be Included in the Company’s Proxy Material |
30 |
Compliance with Universal Proxy Rules for Director Nominations |
30 |

PROXY STATEMENT
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
ABOUT THE 2025 ANNUAL MEETING
Why did I receive this proxy?
The Board of Directors of Seneca Foods Corporation (the “Company”) is soliciting proxies to be voted at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Annual Meeting will be held Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 1:00 PM, Central Daylight Time, at the Company’s Offices, 418 East Conde Street, Janesville, WI 53546. This proxy statement summarizes the information you need to know to vote by proxy or in person at the Annual Meeting. You do not need to attend the Annual Meeting in person in order to vote.
Who is entitled to vote?
All record holders of the Company’s voting stock as of the close of business on June 13, 2025 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of the Record Date, the following shares of voting stock were issued and outstanding: (i) 5,319,447 shares of Class A common stock, $0.25 par value per share (“Class A Common Stock”); (ii) 1,562,195 shares of Class B common stock, $0.25 par value per share (“Class B Common Stock”, and together with the Class A Common Stock, sometimes collectively referred to as the “Common Stock”); (iii) 200,000 shares of Six Percent (6%) Cumulative Voting Preferred Stock, $0.25 par value per share (“6% Preferred Stock”); (iv) 407,240 shares of 10% Cumulative Convertible Voting Preferred Stock - Series A, $0.025 par value per share (“10% Series A Preferred Stock”); and (v) 400,000 shares of 10% Cumulative Convertible Voting Preferred Stock - Series B, $0.025 par value per share (“10% Series B Preferred Stock”).
How many votes do I have?
Each share of Class B Common Stock, 10% Series A Preferred Stock, and 10% Series B Preferred Stock is entitled to one vote on each item submitted to you for consideration. Each share of Class A Common Stock is entitled to one-twentieth (1/20) of one vote on each item submitted to you for consideration. Each share of 6% Preferred Stock is entitled to one vote, but only with respect to the election of directors.
What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card?
It means that you have multiple accounts at the transfer agent or with a broker, bank or other nominee (also referred to herein as a "Broker"). Please complete and return all proxy cards to ensure that all your shares are voted.
How do I vote my shares?
Your vote is important. Whether you hold shares directly as a shareholder of record or beneficially in “street name” (through a Broker), you may vote your shares without attending the Annual Meeting. You may vote by granting a proxy or, for shares held in street name, by submitting voting instructions to your Broker.
If you are a shareholder whose shares are registered in your name, the Board encourages you to follow the instructions on the enclosed proxy card to vote your shares by one of the following methods:
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If your shares are held in “street name” through a Broker, as the beneficial owner of those shares you have the right to direct your Broker how to vote the shares in your account. Please follow the instructions from your Broker included on the Voting Instruction Form accompanying these proxy materials to instruct your Broker how to vote your shares so that your vote can be counted. The Voting Instruction Form provided by your Broker may also include information about how to submit your voting instructions by telephone or over the Internet, if such options are available.
Please note that you may NOT vote shares held in street name at the Annual Meeting unless you request and receive a “legal proxy” from the organization that holds your shares. Please contact your Broker for instructions regarding obtaining a legal proxy.
What am I voting on?
You will be voting on the following proposals:
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Will there be any other items of business on the agenda?
Pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules, shareholder proposals must have been received by May 24, 2025 to be considered at the Annual Meeting. To date, we have received no shareholder proposals and we do not expect any other items of business. Nonetheless, in case there is an unforeseen need, your proxy gives discretionary authority to Paul L. Palmby and John D. Exner with respect to any other matters that might be brought before the Annual Meeting. Those persons intend to vote that proxy in accordance with their best judgment.
How many votes are required to act on the proposals?
Pursuant to our Bylaws, provided a quorum is present, directors will be elected by a plurality of all the votes cast at the Annual Meeting with each share of voting stock being voted for as many individuals as there are directors to be elected and for whose election the share is entitled to vote.
The non-binding advisory vote to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal, provided that a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting.
What happens if I return my proxy card without voting on all proposals?
When the proxy is properly executed and returned, the shares it represents will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with your directions. If the signed card is returned with no direction on a proposal, the proxy will be voted “FOR” all director nominees in Proposal One, and “FOR” the ratification of the independent registered public accounting firm in Proposal Two.
What if I am a beneficial owner and do not give voting instructions to my Broker?
As a beneficial owner, in order to ensure your shares are voted in the way you would like, you must provide voting instructions to your Broker by the deadline provided in the materials you receive from your Broker. If you do not provide voting instructions to your Broker, whether your shares can be voted by such Broker depends on the type of item being considered for vote.
The election of directors is a non-discretionary item and may not be voted on by Brokers who have not received specific voting instructions from beneficial owners. Your Broker will, however, continue to have discretion to vote any uninstructed shares on the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm.
How are votes counted?
The Annual Meeting will be held if a quorum is represented in person or by proxy. The holders of voting shares entitled to exercise a majority of the voting power of the Company shall constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. If you return a signed proxy card, your shares will be counted for the purpose of determining whether there is a quorum. We will treat failures to vote, referred to as abstentions, as shares present and entitled to vote for quorum purposes. A withheld vote in connection with the election of directors is the same as an abstention.
Broker non-votes occur when proxies submitted by a Broker holding shares in “street name” do not indicate a vote for a proposal because they do not have discretionary voting authority and have not received instructions as to how to vote on the proposal. We will treat broker non-votes as shares that are present and entitled to vote for quorum purposes.
For purposes of each proposal, abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will not be counted as votes cast on a proposal and will have no effect on the result of the vote on the proposal.
Who has paid for this proxy solicitation?
The Company has paid the entire expense of this proxy statement and any additional materials furnished to shareholders.
When was this proxy statement mailed?
This proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card were mailed to shareholders beginning on or about July 7, 2025.
How can I obtain a copy of this year’s Annual Report to Shareholders?
A copy of our 2025 Annual Report to Shareholders (the "Annual Report"), including financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, accompanies this proxy statement. The Annual Report, however, is not part of the proxy solicitation material. A copy of our Annual Report may be obtained free of charge by writing to Seneca Foods Corporation, 350 WillowBrook Office Park, Fairport, New York 14450, Attention: Assistant Secretary or by accessing the “Investor Information” section of the Company’s website at www.senecafoods.com.
Can I find additional information on the Company’s website?
Yes. Our website is located at www.senecafoods.com. Although the information contained on our website is not part of this proxy statement, you can view additional information on the website, such as our code of conduct, corporate governance guidelines, charters of board committees, business responsibility and sustainability report, and reports that we file with the SEC. A copy of our code of ethics and each of the charters of our board committees may be obtained free of charge by writing to Seneca Foods Corporation, 418 East Conde Street, Janesville, WI 53546, Attention: Secretary.
PROPOSAL ONE: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Our Board of Directors currently has nine members: Kathryn J. Boor, Peter R. Call, John P. Gaylord, Kraig H. Kayser, Linda K. Nelson, Paul L. Palmby, Donald J. Stuart, Bruce E. Ware and Keith A. Woodward. In accordance with our Bylaws, the Board of Directors is divided into three classes, as equal in number as possible. At this annual meeting, three directors will be elected to serve until the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2028 and until each of their successors is duly elected and shall qualify.
Unless instructed otherwise, proxies will be voted FOR the election of the three nominees listed below. Although the directors do not contemplate that any of the nominees will be unable to serve prior to the Meeting, if such a situation arises, the enclosed proxy will be voted in accordance with the best judgment of the person or persons voting the proxy.
Information Concerning Directors
The following biographies of each of the director nominees, as well as the directors whose terms continue beyond the Annual Meeting, contains information regarding that person’s principal occupation, tenure with the Company, business experience, other director positions currently held or held at any time during the past five years, and the specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that led to the conclusion by the Board of Directors that such person should serve as a director of the Company.
Nominee Standing for Election at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders for a Term Expiring in 2028
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the election of each of the nominees listed below.
Kathryn J. Boor, age 66 – Dr. Boor was appointed as a director of the Company in January 2019. She is the Dean of the Graduate School and Vice Provost for Graduate Education at Cornell University. Dr. Boor has served on various boards including the US-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund (BARD; 2019-2024) and the US Food and Drug Administration Science Board (2019-2024). She serves on the Innovation Committee and the Nomination and Governance Committee for International Flavors and Fragrance (since January 2021) and serves on the Compensation and Nomination and Governance Committees for Sarepta Therapeutics (since June 2022). She chaired the Food Safety Innovation Lab Advisory Committee for USAID Feed the Future (2020-2025). Dr. Boor earned a B.S. in Food Science from Cornell University, an M.S. in Food Science from the University of Wisconsin and a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of California, Davis.
John P. Gaylord, age 64 – Mr. Gaylord has been a director of the Company since October 2009. He has operating and management experience in manufacturing and distribution businesses, including experience as President of FishHawk LP. Mr. Gaylord currently serves as a member of the compensation committee as well as the corporate governance and nominating committee of the Company's Board of Directors. Additionally, he serves as a member of the audit committee of Comet Signs LLC. Mr. Gaylord holds a B.A. from Texas Christian University and an M.B.A. from Southern Methodist University.
Paul L. Palmby, age 62 – Mr. Palmby has been a director of the Company since June 2021. Mr. Palmby is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and has served in that capacity since October of 2020. From 2006-2020 Mr. Palmby served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Prior to that, he served as President of the Vegetable Division of the Company from 2005 to 2006 and Vice President of Operations of the Company from 1999-2004. Mr. Palmby joined the Company in February 1987. He has been twice appointed by the Governor of Wisconsin and has served since 2015 on the Board of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection for the state. Mr. Palmby currently serves as a Director of First Mid Bancshares, Inc., a publicly traded organization that provides financial services including banking, insurance, wealth management, brokerage, and ag services through a network of locations in Illinois, Missouri, Texas, and Wisconsin, and a loan production office in Indiana. He is also a Director of the Farming For The Future Foundation which is a Foundation dedicated to educating the public about where their food comes from. Mr. Palmby previously served as a Director of Blackhawk Bancorp, Inc., the parent company of Blackhawk Bank, a Beloit, Wisconsin publicly traded community bank with nine full-service banking centers in Wisconsin and Illinois from 2019 to 2023. Mr. Palmby received his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from Iowa State University.
Directors whose Terms Expire in 2026
Peter R. Call, age 68 – Mr. Call has been a director of the Company since 2011. Mr. Call is the President of My-T Acres, Inc., a vegetable and grain farm. He was President of Pro-Fac Cooperative, Inc. from 2003-2013 and a member of its Board of Directors from 2000-2013. Mr. Call currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Cornell University (since 2020). He also serves on the Board of Directors of Farm Fresh First, LLC, and has done so since 2007. Mr. Call also served as a director of Farm Credit East from 2015 to 2023, on the Board of Trustees of Genesee Community College from 2012 to 2019, and on the Board of Directors of Birds Eye Foods from 2002-2009. Mr. Call received his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from Cornell University.
Kraig H. Kayser, age 64 – Mr. Kayser previously served as a director of the Company from 1985 until his retirement from the Board in 2020. Mr. Kayser was re-appointed to the Board in November 2021, serving as Chairman since this date. Mr. Kayser is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, serving in this role from 1993 to his retirement from the position in 2020. From 1991 to 1993, he was the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Kayser currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Trustees of Cornell University. In addition, Mr. Kayser is also a director of Moog Inc. where he serves as Chair of the Audit Committee and a member of the Nominating and Governance Committee. He received a B.A. from Hamilton College and an M.B.A. from Cornell University.
Bruce E. Ware, age 49 – Mr. Ware has been a director of the Company since August 2023. He is the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Founder of One America Bancorp, a single bank holding company. Prior thereto, he spent 15 years in roles of increasing responsibility at DaVita Inc., retiring as Corporate Vice President whereby he led joint venture growth initiatives and corporate finance matters. Mr. Ware started his career on Wall Street as an investment banker at Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette focused on corporate finance advisory and mergers and acquisitions activities. He is a member of the Board of Directors of AAON, Inc., a manufacturer of heating and air conditioning equipment in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he serves as a member of the audit and compensation committees. He is a board member of the University of Mississippi Foundation, which oversees his undergraduate alma mater’s endowment. He holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, an M.A. from the University of Texas at Austin and a B.B.A. from the University of Mississippi.
Directors whose Terms Expire in 2027
Linda K. Nelson, age 61 – Ms. Nelson has been a director since February 2021. Ms. Nelson has over 30 years of experience in financial and operational management. Ms. Nelson currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer for IDI Billing Solutions, Inc., which is an independent software vendor that designs and hosts operations, billing, and point of sale solutions for communications service providers. Prior to that, Ms. Nelson was a financial executive consultant, holding a senior leadership position for select organizations and on various acquisition and merger due diligence teams evaluating opportunities for both large-scale private equity firms and local entrepreneurs. From 2011 to 2013, Ms. Nelson held the role of Chief Financial Officer for First American Equipment Finance. Prior to that, Ms. Nelson was with Birds Eye Foods, Inc. for 15 years in increasingly responsible financial roles, reaching the position of Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary in 2008.
Donald J. Stuart, age 69 – Mr. Stuart has been a director since November 2020. Mr. Stuart is a Senior Advisor / Founder at Cadent Consulting Group. Prior to Cadent, he served as Chief Operating Officer of Kantar Retail. Mr. Stuart was a founding partner of Cannondale Associates in 1992, as well as Managing Director and CEO / President. Before Cannondale, he had a strong finance and marketing background from his management positions at Glendinning Associates and Pillsbury / Green Giant. He has extensive experience in sales and marketing consulting for consumer manufacturers across multiple retail channels. Mr. Stuart received his B.A. in Economics from St. Lawrence University and his M.B.A. from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.
Keith A. Woodward, age 61 – Mr. Woodward has been a director since July 2018. Mr. Woodward is the former Chief Financial Officer of Tennant Corporation. He is also a former Senior Vice President, Finance for General Mills, Inc. where he worked for 26 years from 1991-2017. From 2006-2009, he was the representative of General Mills appointed to serve as a board advisor to the Company’s Board of Directors pursuant to the Green Giant Alliance Agreement. Mr. Woodward has his M.B.A. in Finance and Marketing, and a B.S. in Accounting both from Indiana University. Mr. Woodward is currently a board member of Phillips Distilling Company in St. Paul, Minnesota.
BOARD GOVERNANCE
Independent Directors
Under the NASDAQ listing standards, at least a majority of the Company’s directors and all of the members of the Company’s Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee must meet the test of “independence” as defined by NASDAQ. The NASDAQ standards provide that, to qualify as an “independent” director, in addition to satisfying certain criteria, the Board of Directors must affirmatively determine that a director has no relationship which would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. The Board of Directors has determined that each director nominee and director whose term will continue beyond the Annual Meeting, other than, Mr. Palmby as the current President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Mr. Call, is “independent” as defined by the NASDAQ listing standards.
In making its determination with respect to Mr. Call, the Board considered his relationship with the Company as fully described in “Certain Transactions and Related Relationships” on page 21. It concluded that Mr. Call does not satisfy the criteria under NASDAQ standards inasmuch as the Company purchased raw vegetables from My-T Acres, Inc., under an arm's length contract, above the $200,000 threshold permitted under the NASDAQ standards in determining “independence”.
With respect to the seven independent directors, there are no transactions, relationships or arrangements not requiring disclosure pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K that were considered by the Board in determining that these individuals are independent under the NASDAQ listing standards.
Leadership Structure
Mr. Kayser serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors in a non-executive role and has served in that capacity since 2021. Mr. Palmby serves as the Chief Executive Officer and has served in that capacity since 2020. Our Board of Directors has no specific policy regarding separation of the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. Although our bylaws permit the Chairman to serve as Chief Executive Officer, our Board has determined that separating these positions is currently in the best interest of the Company and our shareholders. As Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Palmby focuses on the strategy, leadership and day-to-day execution of our business plan while Mr. Kayser provides oversight, direction and leadership to the Board.
Our Board of Directors believes that it is able to effectively provide independent oversight of the Company’s business and affairs, including the risks we face, through the composition of our Board of Directors, the strong leadership of the independent Directors and the independent committees of our Board of Directors, and the other corporate governance structures and processes already in place. Seven of the nine current directors are independent under the NASDAQ listing standards. All of our directors are free to suggest the inclusion of items on the agenda for meetings of our Board of Directors or raise subjects that are not on the agenda for that meeting. In addition, our Board of Directors and each committee have complete and open access to any member of management and the authority to retain independent legal, financial and other advisors as they deem appropriate without consulting or obtaining the approval of any member of management. Our Board of Directors also holds regularly scheduled executive sessions of non-management directors, as appropriate, in order to promote discussion among such directors and assure independent oversight of management. Moreover, our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, all of which are comprised entirely of independent directors, also perform oversight functions independent of management.
Board Oversight of Risk Management
The Company believes that its leadership structure allows the directors to provide effective oversight of the Company’s risk management function by receiving and discussing regular reports prepared by the Company’s senior management on areas of material risk to the Company, including market conditions, matters affecting capital allocation, compliance with debt covenants, significant regulatory changes that may affect the Company’s business operations, access to debt and equity capital markets, existing and potential legal claims against the Company and various other matters relating to the Company’s business. Additionally, the Board of Directors administers its risk oversight function through (i) the required approval by the Board of Directors (or a committee thereof) of significant transactions and other decisions, including, among others, major acquisitions and divestitures, new borrowings and the appointment and retention of the Company’s executive management, (ii) the coordination of the direct oversight of specific areas of the Company’s business by the Compensation, Audit and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees, and (iii) periodic reports from the Company’s auditors and other outside consultants regarding various areas of potential risk, including, among others, those relating to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Committees and Meeting Data
The Board of Directors has a standing Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. Each member of each of these committees is “independent” as that term is defined in the NASDAQ listing standards. The Board has adopted a written charter for each of these committees, which is available on our website at www.senecafoods.com.
The Audit Committee currently consists of Mr. Woodward (Chair), Ms. Nelson and Mr. Ware. The Audit Committee met four times during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025. The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the engagement of independent auditors, reviews with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding the scope and results of the annual audit and interim reviews, reviews with management or the internal auditor on the scope and results of the Company’s internal auditing procedures, reviews of the independence of the auditors and any non-audit services provided by the auditors, reviews with the auditors and management of the adequacy of the Company’s system of internal accounting controls and makes inquiries into other matters within the scope of its duties. Mr. Woodward, Ms. Nelson, and Mr. Ware have been designated as the Company’s “audit committee financial experts” in accordance with the SEC rules and regulations. Shareholders should understand that this designation is a disclosure requirement of the SEC related to the member’s experience and understanding with respect to certain accounting and auditing matters. The designation does not impose any duties, obligations or liability that are greater than are generally imposed on them as members of the Audit Committee and the Board, and this designation as an audit committee financial expert pursuant to this SEC requirement does not affect the duties, obligations or liability of any member of the Audit Committee or the Board. See “Report of the Audit Committee” on page 28.
The Compensation Committee currently consists of Mr. Gaylord (Chair), Dr. Boor and Mr. Woodward. The Compensation Committee’s function is to review and recommend to the Board of Directors appropriate executive compensation policy and compensation of the Company’s directors and officers. The Compensation Committee also reviews and makes recommendations with respect to executive and employee benefit plans and programs. The Compensation Committee met two times during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee currently consists of Dr. Boor (Chair), Mr. Gaylord and Mr. Ware. The responsibilities of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee include assessing Board membership needs and identifying, screening, recruiting, and presenting director candidates to the Board, implementing policies regarding corporate governance matters, making recommendations regarding committee memberships and sponsoring and overseeing performance evaluations for the Board as a whole and the directors. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee met once during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025.
Nominating Procedures
The Board has not adopted specific minimum criteria for director nominees and although the Company does not have a formal policy or guidelines regarding diversity, the Company recognizes the value of having a Board that encompasses a broad range of skills, expertise, contacts, industry knowledge and diversity of opinion. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee identifies nominees by first evaluating the current members of the Board of Directors willing to continue in service. Current members of the Board with skills and experience that are relevant to the Company’s business and who are willing to continue in service are considered for re-nomination. If any member of the Board does not wish to continue in service, or if the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee decides not to nominate a member for re-election, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee first considers the appropriateness of the size of the Board. If the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee determines the Board seat should remain and a vacancy exists, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee considers factors that it deems are in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders in identifying and evaluating a new nominee. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will consider nominees suggested by incumbent Board members, management and shareholders.
Shareholder recommendations must be in writing and sent within the time periods set forth under the heading “Shareholder Proposals for the 2026 Annual Meeting” addressed to the Chairman of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, c/o Corporate Secretary, 418 East Conde Street, Janesville, WI 53546, and should include a statement setting forth the qualifications and experience of the proposed candidates and basis for nomination. Any person recommended by shareholders of the Company will be evaluated in the same manner as any other potential nominee for director.
Board Attendance at Meetings
The Board of Directors held four meetings during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025. Each director attended every meeting of the Board of Directors, and meetings held by all committees of the Board of Directors on which he or she served, while the director was an active member of the Board. Each director is expected to attend the Annual Meeting of shareholders. In 2024, the Annual Meeting of Shareholders was attended by all nine directors who were serving on the Board at that time.
Shareholder Communication with the Board
The Company provides an informal process for shareholders to send communications to the Board of Directors. Shareholders who wish to contact the Board of Directors or any of its members may do so in writing to Seneca Foods Corporation, 350 WillowBrook Office Park, Fairport, New York 14450. Correspondence directed to an individual board member will be referred, unopened, to that member. Correspondence not directed to a particular board member will be referred, unopened, to the Chairman of the Audit Committee.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following provides certain information regarding our executive officers. Each individual’s name and position with the Company is indicated. In addition, the principal occupation and business experience for the past five years is provided for each officer and, unless otherwise stated, each person has held the position indicated for at least the past five years.
Paul L. Palmby, age 62 – Mr. Palmby is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and has served in that capacity since October of 2020. From 2006-2020, Mr. Palmby served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Prior to that, he served as President of the Vegetable Division of the Company from 2005 to 2006 and Vice President of Operations of the Company from 1999-2004. Mr. Palmby joined the Company in February 1987. He has been twice appointed by the Governor of Wisconsin and has served since 2015 on the Board of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection for the state. Mr. Palmby currently serves as a Director of First Mid Bancshares, Inc., a publicly traded organization that provides financial services including banking, insurance, wealth management, brokerage, and ag services through a network of locations in Illinois, Missouri, Texas, and Wisconsin, and a loan production office in Indiana. He is also a Director of the Farming For The Future Foundation which is a Foundation dedicated to educating the public about where their food comes from. Mr. Palmby previously served as a Director of Blackhawk Bancorp, Inc., the parent company of Blackhawk Bank, a Beloit, Wisconsin publicly traded community bank with nine full-service banking centers in Wisconsin and Illinois from 2019 to 2023. Mr. Palmby received his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from Iowa State University.
Michael S. Wolcott, age 32 − Mr. Wolcott has served as the Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Senior Vice President of the Company since April 2023. Mr. Wolcott has been with the Company since 2017, previously serving in roles that included Vice President of Finance and General Manager of Seneca Snack. Prior to Seneca Foods, he worked at Barclays Investment Bank in New York City. Mr. Wolcott received a B.S. in Applied Economics and Management from Cornell University and an M.B.A. from Stanford University.
Timothy R. Nelson, age 57 – Mr. Nelson has served as the President of Fruit and Snack since 2020 and the Senior Vice President of Operations since December 2018. Prior to that, he held the position of Vice President of Fruit and Snack operations from 2008 to 2018 and he spent time as the Plant Manager of Seneca’s plants in Blue Earth, Montgomery and Glencoe, Minnesota from 1999-2008. Mr. Nelson joined the Company in March 1992.
Dean E. Erstad, age 62 − Mr. Erstad has served as the Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing of the Company since 2001. Prior to that, after joining the Company in 1995, he held various roles of increasing responsibility until assuming his current role. Prior to joining the Company, he worked for Owatonna Canning Company. Mr. Erstad is an industry veteran with over 30 years of experience in the food industry. He served six years on the Executive Board of Directors for the Food Institute as well as two years as Chairman of its Board of Directors. He also served for three years on the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) Board of Directors, six years on their Executive Committee, and two years as their Chairman of their Board of Directors. Mr. Erstad also served three years on the Board of Directors for Corporate Video Arts Incorporated which owned the American Demographics publication.
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Overview
This section discusses our policies and practices relating to executive compensation and presents a review and analysis of the compensation earned during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025 by our Chief Executive Officer, or CEO, our Chief Financial Officer and our two other executive officers as of March 31, 2025, to whom we refer collectively in this proxy statement as the “named executive officers.” The amounts of compensation earned by these executives are detailed in the Fiscal Year 2025 Summary Compensation Table and the other tables which follow it. The purpose of this section is to provide you with more information about the types of compensation earned by the named executive officers and the philosophy and objectives of our executive compensation programs and practices.
Authority of the Compensation Committee; Role of Executive Officers
Each member of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”) qualifies as an independent director under NASDAQ listing standards. The Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board. A copy of the charter is available at www.senecafoods.com under “Corporate Governance.” The Committee meets as often as necessary to perform its duties and responsibilities. The Committee held two meetings during fiscal year 2025. The Committee has never engaged a compensation consultant to assist it in developing compensation programs.
The Committee is authorized by our Board of Directors to oversee our compensation and employee benefit practices and plans generally, including our executive compensation, incentive compensation and equity-based plans. The Committee may delegate appropriate responsibilities associated with our benefit and compensation plans to members of management. The Committee has delegated certain responsibilities with regard to our Pension Plan and 401(k) Plan to an investment committee consisting of members of management. The Committee also has delegated authority to our CEO to designate those employees who will participate in our Executive Profit Sharing Bonus Plan; provided, however, that the Committee is required to approve participation in such plan by any of our executive officers.
The Committee approves the compensation of our CEO. Our CEO develops and submits to the Committee his recommendation for the compensation of each of the other executive officers in connection with annual merit reviews of their performance. The Committee reviews and discusses the recommendations made by our CEO and approves the compensation for each named executive officer for the coming year. No corporate officer, including our CEO, is present when the Committee determines that officer’s compensation. In addition, our Chief Financial Officer and other members of our finance staff assist the Committee with establishing performance target levels for our Executive Profit Sharing Bonus Plan, as well as with the calculation of actual financial performance and comparison to the performance targets, each of which actions requires the Committee’s approval.
Philosophy and Objectives
Our philosophy for the compensation of all of our employees, including the named executive officers, is to value the contribution of our employees and share profits through broad-based incentive arrangements designed to reward performance and motivate collective achievement of strategic objectives that will contribute to our Company’s success. The primary objectives of the compensation programs for our named executive officers are to:
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Our compensation principles are designed to complement and support the Company’s business strategy. The packaged fruit and vegetable business is highly competitive, and the principal customers are major food chains and food distributors with strong negotiating power as to price and other terms. Consequently, our success depends on supplying quality products with an efficient cost structure which enables us to provide favorable prices to the customers and acceptable margins for the Company.
However, an important purpose of our compensation policies is to enable the Company to retain highly valued employees. Our senior management monitors middle and senior management attrition and endeavors to be sufficiently competitive as to salary levels so as to attract and retain highly valued managers. Consequently, the Company has been flexible in awarding compensation, and expects to remain so, to facilitate attracting and retaining quality management personnel.
Consideration of Most Recent Say on Pay Vote
At the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on August 9, 2023, the shareholders expressed a preference that advisory votes on executive compensation occur every three years. Consistent with this preference, the Board of Directors determined to implement an advisory vote on executive compensation every three years, and the next advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation will occur at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Also, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on August 9, 2023, over 99% of the shares voted were voted in support of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers. As a result, the Compensation Committee concluded that the compensation paid to executive officers and the Company’s overall pay practices have strong shareholder support and no significant changes have been made since that time.
Elements of Executive Compensation for Fiscal Year 2025
Base Salary - The base salary of each of our named executive officers is reviewed by the Committee at the beginning of each fiscal year as part of the overall annual review of executive compensation. During the review of base salaries, the Committee considers the executive’s qualifications and experience, scope of responsibilities and future potential, the goals and objectives established for the individual, his or her past performance and competitive salary practices both internally and externally. In addition to the annual reviews, the base salary of a particular executive may be adjusted during the course of a fiscal year, for example, in connection with a promotion or other material change in the executive’s role or responsibilities. During fiscal year 2025, the named executive officers generally received a 3.5% increase to their base salary in May 2024 (5.0% for Mr. Wolcott). The base salary of each of our named executive officers is set forth in the Summary Compensation Table.
As a general rule, base salaries for the named executive officers are set at a level which will allow us to attract and retain highly-qualified executives. Many of our competitors are family-owned businesses operating in rural areas, where compensation rates and salary expectations are below urban levels. However, most of our executive officers also live and work in rural locations, inasmuch as the Company believes that its facilities (some of which include executive offices) should be located in the agricultural areas that produce the crops processed by the Company. Although the compensation level of our executive officers is generally in the upper end of executive compensation in these localities, they are below the compensation levels for comparable positions in most public companies with sales comparable to those of the Company.
Executive Profit Sharing Bonus Plan - The Executive Profit Sharing Bonus Plan is generally available to officers and certain key corporate employees. An annual incentive bonus is payable based upon the Company’s performance, and aligns the interests of executives and employees with those of our shareholders. The Executive Profit Sharing Bonus Plan links performance incentives for management and key employees to increases in shareholder value and promotes a culture of high performance and ownership in which members of management are rewarded for achieving operating efficiencies, reducing costs and improving profitability.
The Executive Profit Sharing Bonus Plan (the “Plan”) was amended and restated effective as of April 1, 2022. The bonuses for officers and certain key corporate employees are distributed at the sole discretion of our CEO upon approval of such bonuses by the Compensation Committee. The performance measurement established under the Plan requires the Company's reported pre-tax earnings as shown on the audited consolidated financial statements to be adjusted to a First-In, First-Out (“FIFO”) basis, without considering charges or credits of an extraordinary or non-operating nature, such as, but not limited to, gains and losses from a sale of a business or equipment or other asset outside of the ordinary course, impairments and restructuring charges (“Annual Adjusted Earnings”). Annual Adjusted Earnings are then compared to the Bonus Base, which is defined as the average of the Annual Adjusted Earnings for the ten years ended immediately preceding the fiscal year corresponding to the current bonus calculation.
The bonus targets under the Plan range from the Bonus Base up to two times the Bonus Base. Additionally, each bonus target corresponds to a potential bonus payment calculated as a percentage of the employee's base salary earned during the fiscal year. The potential bonus payments under the Plan range from 0% to 50% of base salary. The Plan provides that the Board of Directors or an authorized committee is permitted to make discretionary bonus payments in addition to any bonus payments calculated under the Plan.
The following table sets forth the bonus targets and potential bonus payments established under the Plan.
Annual Adjusted Earnings |
Award Percentage |
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Less than 100% of Bonus Base |
0% | |||
100% or more but less than 125% of Bonus Base |
10% | |||
125% or more but less than 150% of Bonus Base |
20% | |||
150% or more but less than 175% of Bonus Base |
30% | |||
175% or more but less than 200% of Bonus Base |
40% | |||
200% or more of Bonus Base |
50% |
For fiscal year 2025, the Company’s Annual Adjusted Earnings exceeded the 125% or more bonus target for a 20% bonus payment. The actual amount earned by each named executive officer in fiscal year 2025 is reported under the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column in the Summary Compensation Table.
Equity Based Incentive Awards - On August 10, 2007, the shareholders approved the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2007 Equity Plan”) to align the interests of management and shareholders through the use of stock-based incentives that result in increased stock ownership by management. Executive management’s view of the 2007 Equity Plan is that it is important to allow us to continue to attract and retain key talent and to motivate executive and other key employees to achieve the Company’s goals. On July 28, 2017, the shareholders approved the amendment and extension of the 2007 Equity Plan for an additional ten-year term. The Company granted 3,870 shares of restricted Class A common stock awards under the 2007 Equity Plan to key employees in fiscal year 2025. Provided that the participant remains employed by the Company, these shares of restricted stock will vest equally over a four-year period.
Retirement Programs - Our executive officers are entitled to participate in the Company’s Pension Plan, which is for the benefit of all employees meeting certain eligibility requirements. Effective August 1, 1989, the Company amended the Pension Plan to provide improved pension benefits under an excess formula. The excess formula for the calculation of the annual retirement benefit is: total years of credited service (not to exceed 35) multiplied by the sum of (i) 0.6% of the participant’s average salary (five highest consecutive years, excluding bonus), and (ii) 0.6% of the participant’s average salary in excess of his or her compensation covered by Social Security.
Participants who were employed by the Company prior to August 1, 1988, are eligible to receive the greater of their benefit determined under the excess formula or their benefit determined under the offset formula as of July 31, 1989. The offset formula is: (i) total years of credited service multiplied by $120, plus (ii) average salary multiplied by 25%, less 74% of the primary Social Security benefit. The maximum permitted annual retirement income that can be paid to a participant under either formula is $280,000. See “Pension Benefits” below for further information regarding the number of years of service credited to each of the named executive officers and the actuarial present value of his accumulated benefit under the Pension Plan.
We also have a 401(k) Plan pursuant to which the Company makes matching contributions, however, the named executive officers are not eligible to participate in the Company’s 401(k) match. The Company sponsors an unfunded nonqualified deferred compensation plan to permit certain eligible employees, including the named executive officers, to defer receipt of a portion of their compensation to a future date. This plan was originally designed to compensate the 401(k) Plan participants who are not eligible to receive Company matching contributions under the 401(k) Plan, however it is currently available to highly compensated employees who meet certain eligibility criteria.
Other Compensation - The Company also provides health insurance, term life insurance, and short-term disability benefits that do not discriminate in scope, terms or operation in favor of our executive officers. These benefits are included in the Summary Compensation Table for the named executive officers under “All Other Compensation” as applicable under SEC rules.
Other Compensation Policies
Internal Pay Equity - The Committee believes that internal pay equity is an important factor to be considered in establishing compensation for our officers. The Committee has not established a policy regarding the ratio of total compensation of our CEO to that of the other officers, but it does review compensation levels to ensure that appropriate equity exists. The Committee intends to continue to review internal pay equity and may adopt a formal policy in the future if it deems such a policy to be appropriate.
Compensation Deductibility Policy - Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits the federal tax deductions that may be claimed by a public company for compensation paid to certain individuals to $1.0 million, except that, in 2017 and prior years, compensation exceeding such threshold could be deducted if it met the requirements to be considered “performance-based” compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, passed by Congress in December 2017, eliminated the “performance-based” compensation exemption under Section 162(m). Therefore, for 2018 and subsequent years, compensation paid to our chief executive officer, our chief financial officer and to each of our other named executive officers generally will not be deductible for federal income tax purposes to the extent such compensation exceeds $1.0 million, regardless of whether such compensation would have been considered “performance-based” under prior law. This limitation on deductibility applies to each individual who is a “covered employee” (as defined in Section 162(m)) or who becomes a covered employee, and continues to apply to each such individual for all future years, regardless of whether such individual remains a named executive officer. The compensation committee believes that our stockholders’ interests are best served by not restricting the compensation committee’s discretion in structuring compensation programs, and thus the compensation committee intends to maintain flexibility to pay compensation that is not deductible when the best interests of our company make that advisable. In approving the amount and form of compensation for our named executive officers, the compensation committee will continue to consider all elements of cost to our company of providing such compensation, including the potential impact of Section 162(m).
No Stock Options - The Company has never awarded stock options to any officer or employee, and it does not presently contemplate initiating any plan or practice to award stock options.
Timing of Grants - The Committee anticipates that stock awards to the Company’s officers under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan will typically be granted annually in conjunction with the review of the individual performance of each officer. This review will take place at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Compensation Committee.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table summarizes, for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, the amount of compensation earned by the named executive officers:
Named Executive Officers
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Name and Principal Position |
Year |
Salary |
Awards |
Compensation |
Benefit |
Compensation |
Total |
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Paul L. Palmby |
2025 |
$ | 777,375 | $ | - | $ | 155,475 | $ | 67,571 | $ | 12,002 | $ | 1,012,423 | |||||||||||||
President and Chief Executive Officer |
2024 |
$ | 750,818 | $ | - | $ | 375,409 | $ | 57,119 | $ | 11,717 | $ | 1,195,063 | |||||||||||||
2023 |
$ | 748,334 | $ | - | $ | 374,167 | $ | - | $ | 10,105 | $ | 1,132,606 | ||||||||||||||
Michael S. Wolcott (1) |
2025 |
$ | 326,400 | $ | 25,000 | $ | 65,280 | $ | 6,089 | $ | 4,777 | $ | 427,546 | |||||||||||||
Senior Vice President, |
2024 |
$ | 311,077 | $ | 25,000 | $ | 155,538 | $ | 4,285 | $ | 3,732 | $ | 499,632 | |||||||||||||
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
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Timothy R. Nelson |
2025 |
$ | 338,025 | $ | 25,000 | $ | 67,605 | $ | 83,569 | $ | 545 | $ | 514,744 | |||||||||||||
Senior Vice President of Operations, |
2024 |
$ | 326,477 | $ | 25,000 | $ | 163,238 | $ | 83,051 | $ | 545 | $ | 598,311 | |||||||||||||
President of Fruit and Snack |
2023 |
$ | 325,397 | $ | 25,000 | $ | 162,699 | $ | - | $ | 566 | $ | 513,662 | |||||||||||||
Dean E. Erstad |
2025 |
$ | 333,478 | $ | 25,000 | $ | 66,696 | $ | 83,474 | $ | 5,459 | $ | 514,107 | |||||||||||||
Senior Vice President of |
2024 |
$ | 322,085 | $ | 25,000 | $ | 161,043 | $ | 73,050 | $ | 5,326 | $ | 586,504 | |||||||||||||
Sales and Marketing |
2023 |
$ | 321,019 | $ | 25,000 | $ | 160,510 | $ | - | $ | 4,662 | $ | 511,191 |
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Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Fiscal Year 2025
The following table sets forth information about non-equity and equity awards granted to the named executive officers in fiscal year 2025.
All Other |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock Awards: |
Grant Date |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non- |
Number of |
Fair Value |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Grant |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1) |
Shares of |
of Stock |
||||||||||||||||||||
Name |
Date |
Threshold |
Target |
Maximum |
Stock |
Awards |
|||||||||||||||||
Paul L. Palmby |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
2025 Executive Profit Sharing Bonus Plan |
N/A | $ | 77,738 | ---- | $ | 388,688 | |||||||||||||||||
Michael S. Wolcott |
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2025 Executive Profit Sharing Bonus Plan |
N/A | $ | 32,640 | ---- | $ | 163,200 | |||||||||||||||||
Restricted Stock |
8/7/2024 |
430 | $ | 25,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
Timothy R. Nelson |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
2025 Executive Profit Sharing Bonus Plan |
N/A | $ | 33,803 | ---- | $ | 169,012 | |||||||||||||||||
Restricted Stock |
8/7/2024 |
430 | $ | 25,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
Dean E. Erstad |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
2025 Executive Profit Sharing Bonus Plan |
N/A | $ | 33,348 | ---- | $ | 166,739 | |||||||||||||||||
Restricted Stock |
8/7/2024 |
430 | $ | 25,000 |
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Outstanding Equity Awards at 2025 Fiscal Year-End
The following table provides information on the outstanding equity awards held by the named executive officers as of March 31, 2025.
Number of |
Market Value of |
||||||||
Shares of Restricted |
Shares of Restricted |
||||||||
Stock That Have |
Stock That Have |
||||||||
Name |
Not Vested |
Not Vested (1) |
|||||||
Paul L. Palmby |
117 | (2 | ) | $ | 10,418 | ||||
Michael S. Wolcott |
886 | (3 | ) | $ | 78,889 | ||||
Timothy R. Nelson |
1,224 | (4 | ) | $ | 108,985 | ||||
Dean E. Erstad |
1,224 | (5 | ) | $ | 108,985 |
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Option Exercises and Stock Vested in Fiscal Year 2025
The following table provides information on the value of stock awards that vested during fiscal year 2025 for each of our named executive officers.
Number of Shares |
Value |
|||||||
Acquired on |
Realized |
|||||||
Name |
Vesting |
on Vesting (1) |
||||||
Paul L. Palmby |
407 | $ | 24,579 | |||||
Michael S. Wolcott |
152 | $ | 9,179 | |||||
Timothy R. Nelson |
381 | $ | 23,009 | |||||
Dean E. Erstad |
381 | $ | 23,009 |
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Pension Benefits
The Company’s Pension Plan is a funded, tax-qualified, noncontributory defined-benefit pension plan that covers certain employees, including the named executive officers. Effective August 1, 1989, the Company amended the Pension Plan to provide improved pension benefits under an excess formula. The excess formula for the calculation of the annual retirement benefit is: total years of credited service (not to exceed 35) multiplied by the sum of (i) 0.6% of the participant’s average salary (five highest consecutive years, excluding bonus), and (ii) 0.6% of the participant’s average salary in excess of his compensation covered by Social Security. The amount of annual earnings that may be considered in calculating benefits under the Pension Plan is limited by law. For 2025, the annual limitation is $350,000.
Participants who were employed by the Company prior to August 1, 1988, are eligible to receive the greater of their benefit determined under the excess formula or their benefit determined under the offset formula as of July 31, 1989. The offset formula is: (i) total years of credited service multiplied by $120, plus (ii) average salary multiplied by 25%, less 74% of the primary Social Security benefit. The maximum permitted annual retirement income that can be paid to a participant under either formula is $280,000.
The following table shows the present value of accumulated benefits payable to each of our named executive officers under our Pension Plan.
Present Value of |
||||||||||||
Number of Years |
Accumulated |
Payments During |
||||||||||
Name |
Credited Service |
Benefit (1) |
Last Fiscal Year |
|||||||||
Paul L. Palmby |
35 | $ | 1,063,013 | $ | - | |||||||
Michael S. Wolcott |
7 | $ | 17,450 | $ | - | |||||||
Timothy R. Nelson |
30 | $ | 663,928 | $ | - | |||||||
Dean E. Erstad |
29 | $ | 848,879 | $ | - |
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Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table for Fiscal Year 2025
The Company sponsors an unfunded nonqualified deferred compensation plan to permit certain eligible employees to defer receipt of a portion of their compensation to a future date. Deferral elections are made during specific enrollment periods and eligible employees may elect to defer up to 10% of their base salary and up to 10% of bonus amounts. The following table provides information on the Company's nonqualified deferred compensation plan for fiscal year 2025 for each of our named executive officers.
Name |
Executive Contributions (1) |
Company Contributions (2) |
Aggregate Earnings (3) |
Aggregate Withdrawals / Distributions |
Aggregate Balance at March 31, 2025 (4) |
|||||||||||||||
Paul L. Palmby | $ | 118,175 | $ | 11,457 | $ | 31,376 | $ | - | $ | 546,913 | ||||||||||
Michael S. Wolcott | $ | 35,652 | $ | 4,777 | $ | 1,342 | $ | 45,231 | $ | 3,804 | ||||||||||
Timothy R. Nelson | $ | 3,650 | $ | - | $ | 27 | $ | - | $ | 3,677 | ||||||||||
Dean E. Erstad | $ | 29,472 | $ | 4,915 | $ | 6,127 | $ | - | $ | 115,430 |
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(2) | Contributions made by the Company which are included in the "All Other Compensation" column of the Summary Compensation Table. |
(3) | Amount represents the change in value of the nonqualified deferred compensation plan account during the fiscal year. None of the amounts in this column have been included in the Summary Compensation Table. |
(4) | The aggregate balance is inclusive of executive contributions and Company contributions reported in the Summary Compensation Table for each fiscal year in which the respective person was a named executive officer. |
Pay Ratio Disclosure
In accordance with SEC rules, we are reporting our CEO pay ratio. As set forth in the Summary Compensation Table, our CEO’s annual total compensation for fiscal year 2025 was $1,012,423. Our median employee’s annual total compensation was $72,954, resulting in a CEO pay ratio of 14:1.
As permitted under SEC rules, we may identify our median employee for purposes of providing pay ratio disclosure once every three years, provided that there has been no change in the employee population or employee compensation arrangements that we reasonably believe would result in a significant change to the 2025 pay ratio disclosure. Accordingly, we have calculated our disclosure based on the median employee identified as of February 28, 2023. For details on our process for identifying the median employee refer to the “Pay Ratio Disclosure” section in our 2023 proxy statement filed with the SEC on July 7, 2023.
This information is being provided for compliance purposes. Neither the Compensation Committee nor management of the Company used the pay ratio measure in making compensation decisions. Given the different methodologies that companies use to determine an estimate of their pay ratio, the estimated ratio reported above should not be used as a basis for comparison between companies.
Pay Versus Performance Disclosure
The following table and supporting graphics present information relating to executive compensation and financial performance measures for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021 in satisfaction of Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. Please see the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section for an overview of the Company’s compensation programs.
(2) |
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Average |
Average |
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Summary |
Summary |
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Summary |
Summary |
(2) |
(2) |
Compen- |
Compen- |
Value of Initial Fixed |
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Compen- |
Compen- |
Compen- |
Compen- |
sation |
sation |
$100 Investment Based On: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
sation |
sation |
sation |
sation |
Table |
Actually |
Peer |
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Table |
Table |
Actually |
Actually |
Total for |
Paid to |
Company |
Group |
(5) |
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Total for |
Total for |
Paid to |
Paid to |
Non-PEO |
Non-PEO |
Total |
Total |
(4) |
Annual |
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(1) |
First |
Second |
First |
Second |
Named |
Named |
Share- |
Share- |
Net |
Adjusted |
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Fiscal |
PEO |
PEO |
PEO |
PEO |
Executive |
Executive |
holder |
holder |
Income |
Earnings |
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Year |
(Palmby) |
(Kayser) |
(Palmby) |
(Kayser) |
Officers |
Officers |
Return |
Return (3) |
($ in 000s) |
($ in 000s) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2025 |
$ | N/A | $ | N/A | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2024 |
$ | N/A | $ | N/A | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2023 |
$ | N/A | $ | N/A | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 |
$ | N/A | $ | N/A | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 |
$ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ |
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The named executive officers included in the pay versus performance disclosure were: |
Year |
Principal Executive Officer (PEO) |
Non-PEO Named Executive Officers |
||
2025 |
Paul L. Palmby |
Michael S. Wolcott, Timothy R. Nelson, Dean E. Erstad |
||
2024 |
Paul L. Palmby |
Michael S. Wolcott, Timothy R. Nelson, Dean E. Erstad |
||
2023 |
Paul L. Palmby |
Timothy J. Benjamin, Timothy R. Nelson, Dean E. Erstad |
||
2022 |
Paul L. Palmby |
Timothy J. Benjamin, Timothy R. Nelson |
||
2021 |
Paul L. Palmby, Kraig H. Kayser |
Arthur S. Wolcott, Timothy J. Benjamin |
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2025 |
||||||||
Adjustments |
PEO |
Other NEOs |
||||||
Summary Compensation Table (SCT) Total |
$ | $ | ||||||
(Deduct): Change in actuarial present value of pension benefits |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
Add: Service cost of pension benefits (6) |
||||||||
(Deduct): SCT "Stock Awards" column value |
( |
) | ||||||
Add: Covered Year-end fair value of outstanding equity awards granted in Covered Year |
||||||||
Add/(deduct): Change in fair value (from prior year-end to Covered Year-end) of equity awards outstanding at Covered Year-end that were granted in prior years |
||||||||
Add/(deduct): Change in fair value (from prior year-end to vest date in Covered Year) of prior year equity awards vested in Covered Year |
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Compensation Actually Paid Total |
$ | $ |
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The following charts provide (1) a comparison between our cumulative total shareholder return and the cumulative total shareholder return of the Peer Group, and (2) illustrations of the relationships between (A) the executive compensation actually paid to the PEO and the average of the executive compensation actually paid to our non-PEO named executive officers (in each case as set forth in the pay for performance table above) and (B) each of the performance measures set forth in the pay versus performance table above (net income and annual adjusted earnings).



As shown above, the Company has selected Annual Adjusted Earnings as the company-selected measure for the pay versus performance disclosure as we believe it represents the most important financial performance measure used to link compensation actually paid to the named executive officers in 2025 to the company’s performance. Annual Adjusted Earnings is the performance measure used to determine 2025 annual cash incentive award payouts. The correlation between compensation actually paid and Annual Adjusted Earnings differs when comparing compensation actually paid to net income as reported on a GAAP basis primarily due to the large non-cash Last-In, First-Out (“LIFO”) charges that the Company has experienced in fiscal years 2025, 2024, 2023 and 2022 as a result of valuing inventory on a LIFO basis. The non-cash LIFO charges have been the result of significant cost inflation for various production inputs, including, but not limited to, steel, commodities, labor, ingredients, packaging, fuel, and transportation.
Compensation of Directors
Under the director compensation program, each non-employee director is paid a quarterly cash retainer of $20,000. Mr. Palmby, as a current officer of the Company, did not receive any compensation for serving the Company as a member of the Board of Directors. The Company’s non-employee directors received the following aggregate amounts of compensation for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025:
Name |
Fees Earned or |
|||
Kraig H. Kayser |
$ | 80,000 | ||
Kathryn J. Boor |
$ | 80,000 | ||
Peter R. Call |
$ | 80,000 | ||
John P. Gaylord |
$ | 80,000 | ||
Linda K. Nelson |
$ | 80,000 | ||
Donald J. Stuart |
$ | 80,000 | ||
Bruce E. Ware |
$ | 80,000 | ||
Keith A. Woodward |
$ | 80,000 |
Compensation Committee Interlocks
As noted above, the Compensation Committee is currently comprised of three independent directors: Mr. Gaylord (Chair), Dr. Boor, and Mr. Woodward. No member of the Compensation Committee is or was formerly an officer or an employee of the Company. No executive officer of the Company serves as a member of the board of directors and compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, nor has such interlocking relationship existed in the past three years.
Certain Transactions and Relationships
According to written policy of the Audit Committee, any related party transactions, excluding compensation, which is delegated to the Compensation Committee, involving one of the Company’s directors or executive officers, must be reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee. Any member of the Audit Committee who is a related party with respect to a transaction under review may not participate in the deliberations or vote on the approval or ratification of the transaction. Related parties include any of the Company’s directors or executive officers, certain of the Company’s stockholders and their immediate family members. To identify any related party transactions, each year, the Company submits and requires each director and officer to complete director and officer questionnaires identifying any transactions with the Company in which the executive officer or director or their family members has an interest. In addition, the Board of Directors determines, on an annual basis, which members of the Board meet the definition of independent director as defined in the NASDAQ listing standards and reviews and discusses any relationships with a director that would potentially interfere with his or her exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.
A small percentage (approximately 2% in fiscal year 2025 and approximately 1% in fiscal years 2024 and 2023, respectively) of vegetables supplied to the Company are grown by My-T Acres, Inc. Peter R. Call, a Director, is the President of My-T Acres, Inc., which supplied the Company approximately $2.8 million, $3.0 million, and $3.1 million pursuant to a raw vegetable grower contract in fiscal years 2025, 2024, 2023, respectively. The Chairman of the Audit Committee reviewed the relationship and determined that the My-T Acres contract was negotiated at arm's length and on no more favorable terms than to other growers in the marketplace.
The Company incurred expenses for charitable contributions to the Seneca Foods Foundation (the “Foundation”) in the amount of $0.5 million, $1.0 million and $0.5 million for each of fiscal years 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively. The Foundation is a nonprofit entity that supports charitable activities by making grants to unrelated organizations or institutions and is managed by current employees of the Company. The three current trustees of the Foundation are either current members of the Company's Board of Directors or an immediate family member of a Company Director.
The Company maintains a liability for retirement arrangements to beneficiaries that have family relationships with two of the Company’s current Directors. As of March 31, 2025 and 2024, the liability for these benefits totaled $1.0 million and $1.0 million, respectively. Payments are made monthly over the beneficiary’s lifetime. Additionally, Mr. Kayser’s payments under his supplemental retirement agreement with the Company commenced during fiscal year 2022 as outlined in the Form 8-K filed by the Company on September 1, 2020.
During fiscal year 2025, the Company had the following four employment relationships. Aaron Wadell, brother-in-law of Donald J. Stuart, a Director of the Company, was employed as Vice President of e-Business for the Company. Jesse Hayes and Charles Hayes, sons of Paul L. Palmby, an Executive Officer of the Company, were employed as Vice President of Frozen Sales and Chain Accounts for the Company and Safety and Environmental Manager for the Company's Janesville, Wisconsin location, respectively. Patrick Nelson, son of Timothy R. Nelson, an Executive Officer of the Company, was employed as Director of Technical Services and Contract Manufacturing for the Company. For each of the aforementioned employees the total fiscal year 2025 compensation (base salary, bonus, and benefits) exceeded the reporting threshold of $120,000 but did not exceed $272,000. The Chairman of the Audit Committee reviewed and approved each of these relationships and determined that each compensation arrangement was at arm’s length and structured the same for what would be a similarly situated employee.
OWNERSHIP OF COMPANY STOCK
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
To the best of the Company’s knowledge, no person or group (as those terms are used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) beneficially owned, as of June 13, 2025, more than five percent of the shares of any class of the Company’s voting securities except as set forth in the following table. Beneficial ownership for these purposes is determined in accordance with applicable SEC rules and includes shares over which a person has sole or shared voting and investment power. The holdings of Common Stock listed in the table do not include the shares obtainable upon conversion of the 10% Series A Preferred Stock and the 10% Series B Preferred Stock, which currently are convertible into one share of Class A Common Stock and one share of Class B Common Stock for every 20 shares of 10% Series A Preferred Stock and 30 shares of 10% Series B Preferred Stock.
Amount of Shares and Nature of Beneficial Ownership
Title of Class |
Name and Address of |
Sole Voting/ Investment Power |
Shared Voting/ Investment Power |
Total |
(1) Percent of Class |
|||||||||||||
6% Preferred Stock |
Michael S. Wolcott |
|||||||||||||||||
Rochester, New York |
40,844 | - | 40,844 | 20.41 | % | |||||||||||||
Kurt C. Kayser |
||||||||||||||||||
Bradenton, Florida |
27,536 | - | 27,536 | 13.77 | % | |||||||||||||
Susan W. Stuart |
||||||||||||||||||
Fairfield, Connecticut |
25,296 | - | 25,296 | 12.65 | % | |||||||||||||
Bruce S. Wolcott |
||||||||||||||||||
Canandaigua, New York |
25,296 | - | 25,296 | 12.65 | % | |||||||||||||
Grace W. Wadell |
||||||||||||||||||
Lake Oswego, Oregon |
25,292 | - | 25,292 | 12.65 | % | |||||||||||||
Mark S. Wolcott |
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Pittsford, New York |
25,292 | - | 25,292 | 12.65 | % | |||||||||||||
Estate of L. Jerome Wolcott, Jr. |
||||||||||||||||||
Costa Mesa, California |
15,222 | - | 15,222 | 7.61 | % | |||||||||||||
Peter B. Wolcott |
||||||||||||||||||
Torrington, Connecticut |
15,222 | - | 15,222 | 7.61 | % | |||||||||||||
10% Series A |
Marilyn W. Kayser |
141,644 | - | 141,644 | 34.78 | % | ||||||||||||
Preferred Stock |
Rochester, New York |
|||||||||||||||||
Bruce S. Wolcott |
26,605 | 26,605 | 53,210 | 13.07 | % | |||||||||||||
Susan W. Stuart |
26,605 | 26,605 | 53,210 | 13.07 | % | |||||||||||||
Mark S. Wolcott |
26,605 | 26,605 | 53,210 | 13.07 | % | |||||||||||||
Grace W. Wadell |
26,605 | 26,605 | 53,210 | 13.07 | % | |||||||||||||
Kraig H. Kayser |
32,168 | - | 32,168 | 7.90 | % | |||||||||||||
Lakewood Ranch, Florida |
||||||||||||||||||
Hannelore Wolcott-Bailey |
20,588 | - | 20,588 | 5.04 | % |
Amount of Shares and Nature of Beneficial Ownership (Continued)
Title of Class |
Name and Address of |
Sole Voting/ Investment Power |
Shared Voting/ Investment Power |
Total |
(1) Percent of Class |
|||||||||||||
10% Series B Preferred Stock |
Marilyn W. Kayser |
165,080 | - | 165,080 | 41.27 | % | ||||||||||||
|
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Kraig H. Kayser |
91,400 | - | 91,400 | 22.85 | % | |||||||||||||
Bruce S. Wolcott |
15,100 | 15,100 | 30,200 | 7.55 | % | |||||||||||||
Susan W. Stuart |
15,100 | 15,100 | 30,200 | 7.55 | % | |||||||||||||
Mark S. Wolcott |
15,100 | 15,100 | 30,200 | 7.55 | % | |||||||||||||
Grace W. Wadell |
15,100 | 15,100 | 30,200 | 7.55 | % | |||||||||||||
Hannelore Wolcott-Bailey |
22,720 | - | 22,720 | 5.68 | % | |||||||||||||
Class A |
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP |
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Common Stock |
6300 Bee Cave Road |
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Building One |
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Austin, Texas |
484,143 | - | 484,143 | (2) | 9.10 | % | ||||||||||||
BlackRock Inc. |
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50 Hudson Yards |
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New York, New York |
435,312 | - | 435,312 | (3) | 8.18 | % | ||||||||||||
Seneca Foods 401(k) Plan | 404,494 | 404,494 | 7.60 | % | ||||||||||||||
Royce & Associates LP |
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One Madison Avenue |
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New York, New York |
300,363 | - | 300,363 | (4) | 5.65 | % | ||||||||||||
Vanguard Group Inc. | ||||||||||||||||||
100 Vanguard Blvd. | ||||||||||||||||||
Malvern, Pennsylvania | 283,543 | - | 283,543 | (5) | 5.33 | % | ||||||||||||
Class B Common Stock |
Seneca Foods Pension Plan |
471,000 | - | 471,000 | 30.15 | % | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Kraig H. Kayser |
132,939 | 48,053 | 180,992 | (6) | 11.59 | % | ||||||||||||
Susan W. Stuart |
63,492 | 65,047 | 128,539 | (7) | 8.23 | % | ||||||||||||
Seneca Foods 401(k) Plan |
106,816 | - | 106,816 | 6.84 | % | |||||||||||||
Bruce S. Wolcott |
64,044 | 18,894 | 82,938 | 5.31 | % | |||||||||||||
Grace W. Wadell |
61,752 | 17,154 | 78,906 | 5.05 | % | |||||||||||||
Mark S. Wolcott |
59,472 | 18,679 | 78,151 | 5.00 | % |
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Security Ownership of Management and Directors
The following table sets forth certain information available to the Company with respect to shares of all classes of the Company’s voting securities owned by each director, by each named executive officer (as defined on page 14) and by all directors and executive officers as a group, as of June 13, 2025. Beneficial ownership for these purposes is determined in accordance with applicable SEC rules and includes shares over which a person has sole or shared voting power or investment power. The holdings of Common Stock listed in the table do not include the shares obtainable upon conversion of the 10% Series A Preferred Stock and the 10% Series B Preferred Stock, which currently are convertible into one share of Class A Common Stock and one share of Class B Common Stock for every 20 shares of 10% Series A Preferred Stock and 30 shares of 10% Series B Preferred Stock.
Name of Beneficial Owner |
Title of Class |
Shares Beneficially Owned |
(1) Percent of Class |
|||||||
Kraig H. Kayser |
Class A Common Stock (2) |
178,293 | 3.35 | % | ||||||
Class B Common Stock (3) |
180,992 | 11.59 | % | |||||||
10% Series A Preferred Stock (2) |
32,168 | 7.90 | % | |||||||
10% Series B Preferred Stock (2) |
91,400 | 22.85 | % | |||||||
Kathryn J. Boor |
- | * | ||||||||
Peter R. Call |
Class A Common Stock |
6,097 | * | |||||||
John P. Gaylord |
Class A Common Stock |
1,000 | * | |||||||
Linda K. Nelson |
- | * | ||||||||
Donald J. Stuart |
Class A Common Stock (4) |
69,830 | 1.31 | % | ||||||
Class B Common Stock (4) |
82,386 | 5.27 | % | |||||||
6% Preferred Stock (4) |
25,296 | 12.65 | % | |||||||
10% Series A Preferred Stock (4) |
53,210 | 13.07 | % | |||||||
10% Series B Preferred Stock (4) |
30,200 | 7.55 | % | |||||||
Bruce E. Ware |
- | * | ||||||||
Keith A. Woodward |
Class A Common Stock |
500 | * | |||||||
Paul L. Palmby |
Class A Common Stock (5) |
131,862 | 2.48 | % | ||||||
Class B Common Stock (5) |
48,589 | 3.11 | % | |||||||
Michael S. Wolcott |
Class A Common Stock (6) |
10,171 | * | |||||||
Class B Common Stock (6) |
15,682 | 1.00 | % | |||||||
6% Preferred Stock (6) |
40,844 | 20.42 | % | |||||||
Timothy R. Nelson |
Class A Common Stock (7) |
3,444 | * | |||||||
Class B Common Stock (7) |
394 | * | ||||||||
Dean E. Erstad |
Class A Common Stock (8) |
4,037 | * | |||||||
Class B Common Stock (8) |
550 | * | ||||||||
All directors and executive officers as a group |
Class A Common Stock |
297,998 | 5.60 | % | ||||||
Class B Common Stock |
282,440 | 18.08 | % | |||||||
6% Preferred Stock |
66,140 | 33.07 | % | |||||||
10% Series A Preferred Stock |
85,378 | 20.97 | % | |||||||
10% Series B Preferred Stock |
121,600 | 30.40 | % |
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Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires that directors, executive officers and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities to report their ownership and any changes in that ownership to the SEC. The Company believes that all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its directors, executive officers and greater than ten percent beneficial owners were met for fiscal year 2025.