Another Bay Area business bites the dust, and this time it’s the legendary Del Monte Foods. The Walnut Creek-based canned food company, which has been feeding families for nearly 140 years, just filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy - and trust us, the story is juicier than their canned peaches.

The Perfect Storm of Corporate Chaos

Del Monte’s downfall is a classic tale of post-pandemic economic whiplash. During COVID, they ramped up production like there was no tomorrow, only to find themselves drowning in surplus inventory when demand dried up faster than a California drought. Add in the brutal competition from discount brands and the killer blow of Trump’s steel tariffs (which doubled from 25% to 50%), and you’ve got a recipe for corporate disaster.

The Corporate Salvage Operation

Despite the bankruptcy filing, Del Monte isn’t throwing in the towel just yet. They’ve secured a whopping $900 million from creditors and are hoping to sell off their portfolio of brands, which includes S&W Foods, Contadina, Joyba boba teas, and soup brands College Inn and Kitchen Basics. CEO Greg Longstreet is putting on a brave face, talking about “nourishing families” and “expanding access to nutritious food” - corporate speak for “we’re trying not to completely collapse”.

A Broader Trend of Corporate Casualties

2025 has been brutal for well-known brands, with big names like Big Lots, Forever 21, Joann, Party City, and TGI Friday’s also filing for bankruptcy. Looks like the economic landscape is more treacherous than a Silicon Valley startup pitch meeting.

Stay tuned, Bay Area - this corporate drama is far from over.