DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. — Sara Lee Corp., parent company of Ball Park, Hillshire Farm, Jimmy Dean and Sara Lee meat brands among others, ranked as a top employer for military talent, according to G.I. Jobs’ eighth annual list recognizing the nation’s top Military Friendly Employers. Sara Lee, which was just one of only two food manufacturers on the list this year, ranked number 97.

The list was drawn from a sample of 5,000 companies competing for the honor whose annual revenues exceeded $500 million. Criteria included the strength of company military recruiting efforts, the percentage of new hires with prior military service and company policies toward National Guard and reserve service.


This marks the first time the company has been included in the list.

“Sara Lee Corporation is very appreciative of all the work of our current and former military personnel,” said Marcel Smits, interim chief executive officer, Sara Lee Corp. “We also are aware of the tremendous skills and abilities many of these people possess, which is why we have a dedicated effort to recruit them into our organization.”