Talk:Conagra Brands/Archive 2

1970s History update 2
Hi editors, for my next request of the 1971-1999 section I'd like to address the fourth, fifth sentences. I was able to find sources to support information in those sentences and have suggestions to make the language a little less sensational. I suggest replacing those sentences with the text in the box below.

What I've done:
 * Removed unsourced content
 * Removed sensational language like "brink of ruin" and replaced it with more neutral phrasing
 * Added sources to previously unsourced sentences and rewrote sentences to better reflect what sources said

Please let me know what you think! Thanks in advance for taking the time to look. RWConagra (talk) 19:32, 25 July 2023 (UTC)
 * If you could re-iterate what the different text colors mean? For example, the text you have above is in green font and in red font. But I don't see where it states what the differences are between the two. Please advise, and kindly change ans to no when ready. Thanks,  Spintendo  21:57, 25 July 2023 (UTC)


 * Apologies, red is the old text to be deleted, green is the proposed replacement. Please let me know if you have any tips for exactly how you'd like these edit requests formatted so we can be on the same page for future requests. RWConagra (talk) 18:13, 26 July 2023 (UTC)
 * Your use of color is perfectly fine with me, I just needed to know what those colors meant. If your proposal is approved, the section would read as follows: "NCM changed its name to ConAgra in 1971. The name is a combination of the Latin words con ("with") and agrī ("soil" or "earth"). It went public and began trading on the NYSE two years later. However, losses suffered in 1974 from bad investments and commodities speculation had the company facing bankruptcy. ConAgra hired Pillsbury executive C. Michael Harper to be its chief operating officer in the fall of 1974 and tasked him with stabilizing the company." The use of the word however in the fourth sentence needs clarification. It's not clear how the company going public and beginning trading acts as a contrast or as a contradiction to the company's losses in 1974. Companies that trade on the NYSE occasionally go bankrupt, so the idea that being listed as an NYSE stock is akin to bankruptcy armor which should have protected the company from encountering losses does not register (if that's the contradiction delineated by the use of "however"). Perhaps a better word could be used. Please advise. Regards, Spintendo  01:05, 28 July 2023 (UTC)
 * You should use the TextDiff template for these, as it's a consistent way of showing what you want to be changed. It's also easier to use. Deauthorized. (talk) 01:08, 28 July 2023 (UTC)


 * I'm perfectly okay with removing "however" to add clarity to the sentence. We can cut that if you like., good tip, thanks! I hadn't seen that. I'll give that a try on the next request. RWConagra (talk) 17:54, 31 July 2023 (UTC)

Reply 31-JUL-2023
Below you will see where proposals from your request have been quoted with reviewer decisions and feedback inserted underneath, either accepting, declining or otherwise commenting upon your proposal(s). Please read the enclosed notes within the proposal review section below for information on each request. Spintendo 19:01, 31 July 2023 (UTC)


 * Thanks for changing that sentence. The updated Forbes source with the quote is here:

Does that work? Please let me know what you think! RWConagra (talk) 14:50, 1 August 2023 (UTC)
 * ✅ That works perfectly. Thank you kindly and regards, Spintendo  22:35, 1 August 2023 (UTC)
 * Thanks for doing that! RWConagra (talk) 18:28, 2 August 2023 (UTC)

1970s History update 3
Hi editors, I'd like to propose further expanding the first paragraph of the 1971-1999 section with a bit more information on how Harper stabilized the company. That text is:

Let me know what you think! RWConagra (talk) 18:28, 2 August 2023 (UTC)
 * ✅. Appears to be an improvement. I was unable to verify the Forbes reference but have still included it. Pabsoluterince (talk) 12:47, 4 August 2023 (UTC)
 * Thanks for doing that! RWConagra (talk) 15:30, 8 August 2023 (UTC)

1970s History update 4
Hi editors, I saw that the third paragraph of the 1970s section didn't have any sources. I decided to go ahead and find a few to support that section. What follows is my suggestion to replace the third paragraph entirely.

What I've done:
 * Sourced unsourced content
 * Revised figures about acquisitions to reflect sources
 * Added a few more relevant purchases
 * Removed bit about leveraged buyouts as that was not really about Conagra and not talked about in the sources I found
 * Refocused paragraph to primarily be about the 1980s
 * Added a bit about becoming largest meat packer; I felt like that was a relevant bit of information
 * Added a bit about becoming vertically integrated; I think that information shows how diversified the company portfolio became in just a few years
 * Added a bit about starting Healthy Choice brand; that seemed notable since it has its own Wikipedia article

Ultimately not much of the old paragraph is left but I still wanted to try out the TextDiff template that showed me. Let me know what you think of these changes! RWConagra (talk) 15:30, 8 August 2023 (UTC)
 * The request needs to do its best to follow WP:INTEGRITY. The Forbes source was published in 1983, however, In the text proposed to be added to the article, you have it referencing information that occurred in 1987, 1988, and 1990. Regards, Spintendo  17:36, 8 August 2023 (UTC)
 * Apologies, updated text is below:


 * Here is what the text looks like when rendered:


 * Let me know if that works! RWConagra (talk) 20:53, 8 August 2023 (UTC)
 * ✅ Everything except that which was referenced by Omaha World Herald and Chicago Tribune, which are both paywalled. (In addition to being paywalled, the Tribune source [ref name "Trib4"] was also removed as reference for events occurring in 87, 88 and 1990, since it was published in 1986.) Regards, Spintendo  08:14, 9 August 2023 (UTC)


 * That is certainly strange! I was able to view a web version of the Tribune story. At any rate, I was able to locate a print version on newspapers.com as well, on pages 41 and 46. I've updated those final two sentences with quotes in the references as well, what do you think?




 * I did remove seed in this updated version. My original proposal was not incorrect. I wanted to make sure it was perfectly aligned with the timestamps and sources used. Let me know what you think! RWConagra (talk) 16:27, 15 August 2023 (UTC)
 * A link to the timeline from the Omaha World-Herald covering this information has been placed in the external links section. Regards, Spintendo  15:48, 16 August 2023 (UTC)
 * I see Spintendo added a source I proposed to External links, but did not address whether the content I proposed is appropriate., would you be willing to offer a third opinion on this? I'd love some feedback on if the wording I proposed above is appropriate. RWConagra (talk) 14:26, 17 August 2023 (UTC)
 * I will look when I have some time. What I currently see is a WP:WALLOFTEXT. Pabsoluterince (talk) 18:16, 19 August 2023 (UTC)
 * I added most of what was requested. Tell me if you think it can be improved. See also WP:PAYWALL Pabsoluterince (talk) 21:02, 19 August 2023 (UTC)
 * , thanks so much for being willing to take a look, I know there was quite a lot there. I think your changes make sense. I hope including the quotes from those sources worked for WP:PAYWALL issues. RWConagra (talk) 15:36, 22 August 2023 (UTC)

1970s history update 5
Hi editors, for my next request, I suggest adding a transition paragraph to the end of the 1971-1999 section which will lead into some content from the Criticism section I propose moving here, in line with WP:NOCRIT. You can see the full extent of the text I will be proposing to add here, but given the tricky nature of the content, I thought it would be better if I broke those additions up into much smaller requests. I think this transition paragraph will provide a good foundation for that information.

For this request, I suggest adding the following:

I'd note that the Washington Post source cited is already in the article, I'm including the full reference here for visibility. Please let me know what you think! RWConagra (talk) 15:36, 22 August 2023 (UTC)


 * Will do in 4 hours, if not done until then NotAGenious (talk) 08:41, 23 August 2023 (UTC)
 * with a bit of rewording and commas.

Let me know what you think, sorry for the delay! NotAGenious (talk) 14:22, 29 August 2023 (UTC)
 * , no worries on the wait! Those changes make sense to me, thanks for doing that! RWConagra (talk) 16:50, 29 August 2023 (UTC)

1970s history update 6
Hi editors, I'm back again with another request, this time to add content from the Demolition of historic site section to the appropriate place in the company history. You can see the full idea I had here, but given the scale of the changes I thought it would be better to make requests in smaller chunks. I request that this be added after the current last paragraph in the 1970s section.

With this section, I cut a fair bit of information that was redundant given other rewrites (like Harper's position), was unsourced or couldn't be sourced to the NYT article listed (the NYT article came out in 1987, it couldn't have reported on the final result of the demolition that happened two years later), and information better suited to be in another section (the relocation to Chicago). My suggested content for the 1970s section is below:

Overall, I think what I have done is an improvement, and most importantly, is verifiable, but am open to further discussion! Thanks for taking the time to review. RWConagra (talk) 16:50, 29 August 2023 (UTC)


 * ✅ This was a much needed improvement to the previously existing section covering this information, which was largely unsourced. Regards, Spintendo  01:46, 31 August 2023 (UTC)


 * , thank you so much! RWConagra (talk) 16:18, 31 August 2023 (UTC)

1970s history update 7
Hi editors, I've got another request, this time to add content from the Fraud and bribery section to the 1970s section. I think this would best fit after the current last paragraph in that section.

With this paragraph, I've reworked some of the information to flow a bit better and be more succinct per WP:SUMMARYSTYLE, added information present in sources used in this article but not included at this time, added the resolution of some of these events, and added and updated references. My suggested content is below:

Here's what the text looks like when rendered:


 * Note: The Washington Post source used here is already cited in the article, I just included the full reference for visibility.

I know there is quite a bit there, so if editors would prefer that I break this request up a bit more, please let me know! Overall, I think this is an improvement and a more complete and accurate examination of events during the 1990s. I also think it flows better and is better aligned with WP:NOCRIT. Please let me know what you think! RWConagra (talk) 16:18, 31 August 2023 (UTC)

Reply 31-AUG-2023
Below you will see where proposals from your request have been quoted with reviewer decisions and feedback inserted underneath, either accepting, declining or otherwise commenting upon your proposal(s). Please read the enclosed notes within the proposal review section below for information on each request. Spintendo 21:16, 1 September 2023 (UTC)


 * , thank you so much! Your edits and changes make sense to me. RWConagra (talk) 16:17, 7 September 2023 (UTC)

Request to move paragraph
Hi editors, now that the Fraud and bribery paragraph is updated, I have another request to move that paragraph (beginning with "ConAgra was found guilty of tampering with scales when measuring the weight of incoming birds from Alabama chicken farmers in 1989 and settled a class action suit in 1995 levied against ConAgra, Hormel Foods, and Delta Pride Catfish for conspiring with other companies to fix the price of catfish…") to the 1971-1999 subsection of History.

The resulting move would make the bottom of the 1971-1999 subsection of History look like this:

I think this would best fit after the current last paragraph in that section. Doing so will help the History section offer a more complete and accurate examination of events during the 1990s. Also, it flows better and is better aligned with WP:NOCRIT. Please let me know what you think! RWConagra (talk) 16:17, 7 September 2023 (UTC)


 * ✅ Spintendo  18:32, 8 September 2023 (UTC)


 * , thank you so much! RWConagra (talk) 15:38, 12 September 2023 (UTC)

1970s history update 8
Hi editors, I thought I'd round out the 19711999 section with some notes on acquisitions made during the 1990s and revenue growth. This is largely new content, but there is a slight expansion on content that was in the article previously related to acquisitions from RJR Nabisco which was removed during a previous request.

I think this does a good job of completing the history from these decades. Please let me know what you think! RWConagra (talk) 15:38, 12 September 2023 (UTC)
 * ✅ Sources match requested content.  STEM info  (talk) 21:50, 18 September 2023 (UTC)
 * , thanks for doing that! RWConagra (talk) 18:03, 19 September 2023 (UTC)

2000s history update 1
Hi editors, I've got another request for the History section, this time focusing on the 20002015 subsection. I propose updating the first sentence of that section based on the paragraph I had posted in my draft. I think this suggested text better fleshes out those early years of the millennium and is more accurate. It also relocates some text from the Genetically modified food section to keep a better chronology. Since this is so different from the single sentence I don't think a comparison would be especially helpful here on the Talk page. Here's what I propose:

Note: the Omaha World Herald story is already cited in the article, I'm including the full citation here for visibility and to include the quote from it.

I've also included a press release in these sources. The release is already cited in the article, and I'm citing it in particular for the basic fact "The Swift sale ended ConAgra's involvement in the fresh beef and pork industries." I believe this is allowed under WP:ABOUTSELF but please let me know if I'm interpreting that incorrectly.

Thanks in advance for taking a look! RWConagra (talk) 18:03, 19 September 2023 (UTC)


 * @RWConagra Your request is not clear whether text is to be deleted, It just says you want to "update the first sentence". If by "update" you mean replace, then the deleted text needs to also be posted here on the talk page. If by update you mean adding text and not deleting any text, then that can be easily accomplished, but you need to specify between the two. Please advise. Regards, Spintendo  05:48, 21 September 2023 (UTC)


 * Apologies for the confusion. I'm proposing to replace the existing opening sentence of the 2000s section with the following. This should make it more clear:


 * Here is what the replacement text looks like when rendered:


 * Let me know if that works! RWConagra (talk) 19:22, 21 September 2023 (UTC)
 * ✅ After swapping out press releases. We prefer third party sources.  The information is shown to be more reliable, and it helps with notability.  STEM info  (talk) 19:43, 21 September 2023 (UTC)
 * , thanks for taking a look! RWConagra (talk) 20:30, 25 September 2023 (UTC)

Archiving needed
This talk page has become too long to navigate and edit quickly. The COI editor, as the main editor responsible for its length, is urged to begin the process of automated archiving in order to make the page more manageable. Thank you in advance for your help with this. Regards, Spintendo  21:02, 25 September 2023 (UTC)
 * ✅ RWConagra (talk) 16:48, 26 September 2023 (UTC)

2000s history update 2
Hi editors, continuing my effort to update the History section, for my next request I propose replacing the second paragraph of the 2002015 section with the following:

On the page, it would look like this:

This does a few things, including cleaning up some language that wasn't really accurate about Hunt-Wesson, clarifying the sale of Butterball et. al., and moves content from the Diacetyl section up and trims it to focus the content on Conagra. Please let me know what you think! RWConagra (talk) 20:30, 25 September 2023 (UTC)

Reply 25-SEP-2023

 * 1) "and moves content from the Diacetyl section up and trims it to focus the content on Conagra." Any text which is "trimmed or moved" (these are your words) needs to clarify what is being trimmed and from where it is being moved. Please advise. Regards,  Spintendo  20:54, 25 September 2023 (UTC)
 * Apologies for the confusion. I thought it might be a bit confusing to put it all together, but I've done so below. This is not how the text appears in the live article, but should convey what I'm hoping to achieve:




 * To be clear, these sentences in the old text in the template come from the Diacetyl section in the live article: "On September 4, 2007, the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association recommended reduction of diacetyl in butter-like flavorings, such as those used in popcorn, due to cases of the potentially fatal disease bronchiolitis obliterans or "Popcorn Workers's Lung" appearing among plant workers exposed to diacetyl fumes, as well as in one case that involved a popcorn consumer. The next day ConAgra Foods announced that it would soon remove diacetyl from its Jiffy Pop and Orville Redenbacher's popcorn products." I am proposing it be replaced with " In 2007, ConAgra removed diacetyl from its microwave popcorn recipes following reports that the compound was linked to cases of Bronchiolitis obliterans." and moved to the History section as I think that's the place it makes the most sense.


 * Hope that helps! RWConagra (talk) 16:41, 26 September 2023 (UTC)
 * "This is not how the text appears in the live article, but should convey what I'm hoping to achieve" Unfortunately, what you're hoping to achieve is not conveyed with this request. The purpose of the template is to show on the left-hand side the text as it currently appears in the article and on the right-hand side the text that is proposed to replace it. From your comment shown at the beginning of my reply post ("This is not how the text appears in the live article, but should convey what I'm hoping to achieve"), this is not how you've configured the template. You'll need to go back to the drawing board to configure a newer, clearer request for this to move forward. Regards,  Spintendo  22:57, 30 September 2023 (UTC)

Updated 2000s request
Hi editors, my last request proved to be too confusing, so I'm going to start a new one from scratch. I propose changing the second paragraph of the 20002015 section in the following way:

On the page, it would look like this:

This will help clean up language related to Hunt-Wesson that wasn't really accurate, clarifies details about the sale of Butterball and others, and replaces the Tribune with the OC Register as the cited Tribune article didn't support the claim being made. Please let me know what you think! RWConagra (talk) 17:54, 2 October 2023 (UTC)


 * The second sentence, which contained a comment by (then) ConAgra CEO Gary Rodkin pertaining to the company's "streamlining plan", was omitted. Regards, Spintendo  19:01, 2 October 2023 (UTC)