Popular Canned Food Brand Could Disappear from Shelves in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin

My first job was stacking shelves, running morning trucks, and bagging groceries at Fareway in Monticello, Iowa. I worked for the best manager Fareway has ever seen in Bruce Smith, but I digress... the "good ole days" only come to mind as I recently read that a 108-year-old canned food company, which I was quite familiar with, is filing for bankruptcy, which could lead to the brand dissolving altogether.

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Well, if you’ve picked up a can of green beans or fruit cocktail, chances are it had the Del Monte label. But soon, shoppers in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin might have a harder time finding this iconic brand on store shelves.

Del Monte Foods has been around since 1886; however, they have officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. While that doesn’t mean the brand is disappearing overnight, it does mean big changes are coming.

The company, based in Walnut Creek, California, is best known for its canned fruits and vegetables. But it also owns other familiar brands like Contadina (canned tomatoes), College Inn, and Kitchen Basics (broths); even a trendy boba drink called Joyba. While newer products like Joyba and the broths are seeing growth, they haven’t been enough to offset falling demand for Del Monte’s canned staples.

Why the decline? Experts say it comes down to a few key things. First, more people are reaching for fresh or frozen foods over canned options. There's also been a big shift toward cheaper store brands, especially with grocery prices rising in recent years. On top of that, a steep 50% tariff on imported steel, which is used for Del Monte’s cans, has made production more expensive.

The good news? Del Monte has secured over $900 million in funding to keep operating while it looks for a buyer. So for now, the cans will keep coming, especially during the busy summer canning season. But what happens next depends on how the sale goes during bankruptcy.

It’s still unclear who might purchase the company or whether all of its products will stay on shelves long-term or even under the same name. Some industry watchers say big names like Hormel or B&G Foods could step in, while others think an international buyer might be interested.

If Del Monte is a regular part of your grocery list, it might be a good idea to keep an eye on the news and consider stocking up, especially if you're a big fan of Del Monte.