Month: July 2025

Del Monte Foods, a fixture in American kitchens for more than a century, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and is seeking a buyer, the company announced Tuesday.

Don’t expect the brand to disappear from grocery store shelves anytime soon, though. The 135-year-old company, known for canned fruits, vegetables, broths, and teas, will continue operations as it works through a court-supervised sale process, Reuters reported. The reason? Del Monte secured financing to maintain business continuity during the proceedings.

Best recognized for its namesake label, Del Monte also owns brands like College Inn and Joyba. Generations of Americans have relied on Del Monte products as pantry staples, but shifting consumer preferences, supply chain challenges, and mounting debt have pushed the company into financial trouble.

“This is a strategic step forward for Del Monte Foods,” CEO Greg Longstreet said in a statement. “After a thorough evaluation of all available options, we determined a court-supervised sale process is the most effective way to accelerate our turnaround and create a stronger and enduring Del Monte Foods.”

Related: Millions of Shoppers Feel the Pain as Grocery Strike Disrupts 5 States

The company filed for bankruptcy in New Jersey, saying it owes money to as many as 25,000 people and businesses. Its total debt and assets could range anywhere from $1 billion to $10 billion.

Despite the filing, Del Monte said its non-U.S. subsidiaries are unaffected and will continue normal operations. 

Still, the move signals a major shift for one of the most recognizable names in the food industry. As consumers increasingly prioritize fresh, organic, and specialty products, legacy brands like Del Monte are feeling the pressure.

Del Monte’s story is far from over, but its future may soon rest in the hands of a new owner. 

For shoppers raised on its green-labeled cans and cartons, the brand’s uncertain path is another sign of how quickly even the most familiar names can face unexpected crossroads.

Related: Kroger’s CEO Issues a Stark Warning About the Future of Grocery Shopping

Body camera footage shows the recent rescue of a young man and his two cats in Somerset, Massachusetts. Officer Brennan Cardoza waded into knee-deep muddy water in late June to locate a 19-year-old who had gotten lost in a swampy area of town. 

The teenager reported that he had gotten lost while going on a walk and had been wandering around the dense swamp for seven hours. He told officers he left without his cell phone or sufficient water. 

In the body camera footage, the officer pushes his way through tall reeds growing out of the water until finding the visibly disoriented young man. “Muddy, nasty area where you wouldn’t want to be,” Cardoza told local news affiliate WPRI, “it was difficult to see, I had to call out for the gentleman.” 

Police began their search after the boy’s parents called the Somerset Police Department to report him missing, saying he never came home from his walk. Nearby neighbors had heard cries out for help but could not locate where they were coming from. 

Massachusetts police also utilized a drone to locate the missing teen as the officers searched through the thick branches. The drone played a pre-recorded message instructing the young man to continue calling out until officers were able to find him. Once recovered, the drone also helped Officer Cardoza and the teen find their way out of the area.

“Thankfully, this was successful,” said Officer Trenholme, who piloted the drone. The young man and his two cats made it back home with no injuries.