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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14A-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No.     )

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Lifecore Biomedical, Inc.
Lifecore Biomedical, Inc.


(Name of Registrant as Specified inIn Its Charter)


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(LIFECORE BIOMEDICAL LOGO)

(LIFECORE LOGO)
LIFECORE BIOMEDICAL, INC.
3515 Lyman Boulevard

Chaska, Minnesota 55318

_______________

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
to be held on
November 11, 200417, 2005

_______________

     Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Lifecore Biomedical, Inc. (the “Company”), will be held at Windows On Minnesota operated by the Oak Ridge Conference Center, 1 Oak Ridge Drive, Chaska,Marquette Hotel, 80th South 8th Street, 50th floor of the IDS Tower, Minneapolis, Minnesota 5531855402 on Thursday, November 11, 200417, 2005 at 3:30 p.m., local time, for the following purposes:

1. To elect one director to hold afour directors for three-year term.terms; provided that, if Proposal 2 is adopted, such directors will be elected for one-year terms.
 
2.To approve a proposal to amend the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended Bylaws to eliminate the classified Board structure.
3. To ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as independent certified public accountants of the Company for the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2005.2006.
 
3.4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.

     The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on September 20, 2004October 14, 2005 as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting.
   
 By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Dennis J. Allingham  
   
Dennis J. Allingham
President, CEO and Secretary
 
/s/ DENNIS J. ALLINGHAM
   
Dennis J. Allingham
President, CEO and Secretary

Dated: October 4, 2004
19, 2005
Minneapolis, Minnesota

To assure your representation at the meeting, please sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card whether or not you expect to attend in person. Shareholders who attend the meeting may revoke their proxies and vote in person if they desire.

 


PROXY STATEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
     
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  1617
 
  Appendix A 

 


(LIFECORE BIOMEDICAL LOGO)

(LIFECORE LOGO)
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 11, 200417, 2005

     The Board of Directors of Lifecore Biomedical, Inc. (the “Company”) is soliciting proxies to be voted at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held at 3:30 p.m. on November 11, 2004,17, 2005, and at any adjournment thereof. The cost of this solicitation will be borne by the Company. In addition to solicitation by mail, officers and directors of the Company may solicit proxies by telephone, facsimile or in person. The Company may also request banks and brokers to solicit their customers who have a beneficial interest in the Company’s common stock registered in the names of their nominees and will reimburse such banks and brokers for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. The Company has retained Advantage Proxy to assist in the solicitation of proxies, and has agreed to pay such firm approximately $5,200, plus reasonable expenses incurred, for its services. The Company’s principal offices are located at 3515 Lyman Boulevard, Chaska, Minnesota 55318. The mailing of this Proxy Statement to shareholders of the Company was commenced on or about October 4, 2004.

19, 2005.

     Any proxy may be revoked at any time before it is voted by written notice, mailed or delivered to the Secretary of the Company, or by revocation of a written proxy by request in person at the Annual Meeting; but if not so revoked, the shares represented by such proxy will be voted as indicated in such proxy. If no direction is made, the proxy will be voted for the election of the nominees for director and for the other proposals set forth in this Proxy Statement.

     The total number of shares of stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting as of September 20, 2004October 14, 2005 consisted of 12,932,95813,135,412 shares of $.01 par value common stock. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote, and there is no cumulative voting. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on September 20, 2004October 14, 2005 will be entitled to vote at the meeting. The presence in person or by proxy of holders of thirty-three and one-third percent (33-1/3%) of the shares of common stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.

     Each item of business properly presented at a meeting of the Company’s shareholders (other than amendments to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and certain other matters) generally must be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares present, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote on that item of business. However, if the shares present and entitled to vote on that item of business would not constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the meeting, then the item must be approved by a majority of the voting power of the minimum number of shares that would constitute such a quorum. Votes cast by proxy or in person at the Annual Meeting will be tabulated by the election inspectors appointed for the meeting and will be used to determine whether or not a quorum is present. The election inspectors will treat abstentions as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum and in tabulating votes cast on proposals presented to shareholders for vote, but as unvoted for purposes of determining the approval of the matter from which the shareholder abstains. Consequently, an abstention will have the same effect as a negative vote. If a broker indicates on the proxy that it does not have discretionary authority as to certain shares to vote on a particular matter, those shares will not be considered as present and entitled to vote with respect to that matter.

The proposal to amend the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation must be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote on that item of business.

 


SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

     The following table presents information provided to the Company as to the beneficial ownership of the Company’s common stock as of August 27, 200428, 2005 by (i) all persons known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company’s common stock; (ii) each of the directors and director nominees of the Company; (iii) each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table; and (iv) all officers and directors as a group.
             
 Amount Beneficially Percent of Amount Beneficially Percent of 
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
 Owned (1)(2)
 Class
 Owned (1)(2)(3) Class 
Heartland Advisors, Inc.
789 North Water Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
 1,436,660 (3)  11.1%
 
The Vertical Group, L.P.
18 Bank Street
Summit, NJ 07901
 1,049,500 (4)  8.1%
 
Putnam Investments
One Post Office Square
Boston, MA 92109
 776,835 (5)  6.0%
The Vertical Group, L.P. 
25 DeForest Avenue 
Summit, NJ 07901  1,171,600 (4)  9.0%
  
Dennis J. Allingham 325,725  2.5% 374,350  2.8%
James W. Bracke 98,389 * 
Orwin L. Carter, Ph.D. 89,000 *  99,400 * 
Andre P. Decarie 84,375 *  98,333 * 
Joan L. Gardner 90,534 (6) *   101,034 (5) * 
Thomas H. Garrett 88,000 *  98,000 * 
John C. Heinmiller 89,334 * 
Luther T. Griffith  * 
Larry D. Hiebert 47,050 *  76,300 * 
David M. Noel 32,750 *  51,750 * 
Richard W. Perkins 162,500 (7)  1.2%  172,500 (6)  1.3%
John E. Runnells 21,800 *  31,800 * 
Directors/Officers as a group (10 persons) 1,031,068 (8)  7.4%
Kipling Thacker, Ph.D. 80,049 * 
Directors/Officers as a group (11 persons)  1,183,516 (7)  8.4%


* Less than 1%
*Less than 1%

(1) Unless otherwise indicated, ownership is direct and the beneficial owner has full voting and investment power.
 
(2) Includes the following shares subject to options which are or will become exercisable within 60 days of August 27, 2004:28, 2005: Mr. Allingham, 325,625352,750 shares; Dr. Carter, 72,00082,000 shares; Mr. Decarie, 84,37595,000 shares; Ms. Gardner, 82,03492,034 shares; Mr. Garrett, 88,000 shares; Mr. Heinmiller, 89,334 shares; Mr. Hiebert, 47,05066,300 shares; Mr. Noel, 32,75041,750 shares; Mr. Perkins, 101,000111,000 shares; and Mr. Runnells, 20,00030,000 shares and Dr. Thacker, 53,050 shares.
 
(3) Based uponIncludes the contentfollowing shares of a statement dated June 30, 2004 pursuantrestricted stock subject to Section 13(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.future vesting conditions: Mr. Allingham, 13,334 shares; Mr. Hiebert, 6,667 shares; Mr. Noel, 6,667 shares and Dr. Thacker, 6,667 shares.
 
(4) Based upon the contentinformation supplied by The Vertical Group, L.P. as of a statement dated February 21, 2003 pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.September 2, 2005.
 
(5) Based upon the content of a statement dated December 31, 2001 pursuant to Section 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

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(6)Includes 4,5005,000 shares held by a partnership in which Ms. Gardner is a partner.
 
(7)(6) Includes 55,500 shares held by various trusts of which Mr. Perkins is the sole trustee and 6,000 shares held by a foundation created by Mr. Perkins.
 
(8)(7) Includes 942,168916,884 shares which certain directors and officers have the right to purchase pursuant to stock options which are or will become exercisable within sixty60 days of August 27, 2004.28, 2005.

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SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

     Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company’s directors and executive officers and persons who own more than 10% of the Company’s securities to file initial reports of ownership of those securities on Form 3 and reports of changes in ownership on Form 4 or Form 5 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Specific due dates for these reports have been established by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Company is required to disclose in this proxy statement any failure to timely file the required reports by these dates. Based solely on the Company’s review of the copies of these reports received by the Company and written representations from the Company’s directors and executive officers, the Company believes that its executive officers and directors complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004.2005, except that Mr. Perkins filed a late Form 4 reporting an option grant.

PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(Proposal #1)

     Pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, the Board of Directors is divided into three classes of directors, with each director serving a three-year term. Each year only one class of directors is subject to a shareholder vote. Presently, there is one director in the first class, two directors in the second class and four directors in the third class. At the Annual Meeting, the terms of Messrs. Richard W. Perkins and John C. Heinmillerour Class III directors will expire. Mr. Heinmiller has decided not to stand for re-election to the Board in order to devote his attention to other business. Therefore, onlyDennis J. Allingham, Ms. Joan L. Gardner, Mr. Richard W. Perkins hasThomas H. Garrett, and Mr. John E. Runnells, our current Class III directors, have been nominated for re-election to the Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting.

     Mr. Perkins is currently a director of the CompanyMeeting, and each has consented to being named as a nominee.If Proposal 2 to amend the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended Bylaws to eliminate the classified Board structure is approved by the requisite vote of shareholders, then the terms of all directors, including those elected at the Annual Meeting, will end at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Thereafter, all directors will be elected for one-year terms.

     The election of the nominee requires the approval of the holders of a majority of the shares present, in person or by proxy, at the Annual Meeting. It is intended that proxies will be voted for Mr. Perkins.the nominees. The Company believes that Mr. Perkinseach of the nominees will be able to serve, but should heany nominee be unable to serve as a director, the persons named in the proxies have advised the Company that they will vote for the election of such substitute nominee as management may propose.

     The Board of Directors recommends that the shareholders vote “FOR” the election of Mr. Perkins,the four nominated directors, and the enclosed proxy will be so voted unless a contrary vote is indicated.

3


     The director nominee and the directors whose terms of office will continue after the Annual Meeting have provided the following information about themselves.
      
 Director Term      
Name and Principal Occupation
 Age
 Since
 Expires
 Age Director Since Term Expires
Richard W. Perkins (Class II)
 73 1983 2007 
 (if re-
elected)
Mr. Perkins is President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Perkins Capital Management, Inc., an investment management firm, where he has held those positions since January 1985. Mr. Perkins is a director of the following public companies: Synovis Life Technologies, Inc., CNS, Inc., PW Eagle, Inc., iNTELEFILM Corp., Nortech Systems, Inc., Two Way TV (US), Inc., Teledigital, Inc. and Vital Images, Inc. He currently serves on the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee. 
 
Orwin L. Carter, Ph.D. (Class I)
 62 1989 2006 
Dr. Carter is a self-employed business consultant. From April 1996 to May 1999, he was Vice President of Finance and Administration at Hamline University. From December 1989 through September 1994, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of INCSTAR Corporation, a medical diagnostic device manufacturer. He then served as Chairman from September 1994 to March 1995. Dr. Carter is a director of Theragenics Corporation. He currently serves on the Audit Committee and the Governance and Nominating Committee. 
 
Dennis J. Allingham (Class III)
 54 2004 2005       
Mr. Allingham was appointed President, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary and to the Board of Directors in February 2004. Mr. Allingham previously served as Executive Vice President of the Company since November 1997. He served as Chief Financial Officer of the Company from January 1996 to March 2004. Mr. Allingham has also been General Manager of the Hyaluronan Division since November 1996 and General Manager of the Oral Restorative Division since November 1997.  55 2004 2005
       
Joan L. Gardner (Class III)
 59 1992 2005       
Ms. Gardner has had a career in community service. Ms. Gardner is currently a trustee of Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota and board member of the FR Bigelow Foundation. She formerly chaired the Boards of Trustees of the Biomedical Research Institute and The Children’s Hospital, Incorporated, served on the board of the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutes and chaired its Education Council and recently retired from the board of Children’s Hospitals and Clinic where she chaired the Quality Committee. Ms. Gardner currently serves on the Compensation Committee.  59 1992 2005
      
Thomas H. Garrett (Class III)
      
Mr. Garrett has been a business consultant since July 1996. Prior to July 1996, Mr. Garrett was a partner at the law firm of Lindquist & Vennum P.L.L.P. of Minneapolis, Minnesota and served as its Managing Partner from 1993 through 1995. Mr. Garrett is also a director of St. Jude Medical, Inc. He currently serves as Chairman of the Compensation Committee. 60 1996 2005
      
John E. Runnells (Class III)
      
Mr. Runnells has been a Managing Director of The Vertical Group, Inc., an investment management and venture capital firm focused on the medical device industry, since 1992. Prior to that time, he was a co-founder (in 1984) and Managing Director of Paddington Partners, an investment firm that merged with The Vertical Group, Inc. in 1992. He currently serves on the board of directors of Axya Medical, Inc., Incumed Inc., Dynamic Implants, Inc., Orbital Fixation, Inc., Spondylogix, Inc. and SPMR, Inc., all privately held companies. He currently serves as the Lead Director and Chairman of the Governance and Nominating Committee. 60 2002 2005

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      Director Term
Name and Principal Occupation
 Age
 Since
 Expires
Thomas H. Garrett (Class III)
  59   1996   2005 
Mr. Garrett has been a business consultant since July 1996. Prior to July 1996, Mr. Garrett was a partner at the law firm of Lindquist & Vennum P.L.L.P. of Minneapolis, Minnesota and served as its Managing Partner from 1993 through 1995. Mr. Garrett is also a director of St. Jude Medical, Inc. He currently serves as Chairman of the Compensation Committee.            
             
John E. Runnells (Class III)
  59   2002   2005 
Mr. Runnells has been a Managing Director of The Vertical Group, Inc., an investment management venture capital firm focused on the medical device industry, since 1992. Prior to that time, he was a co-founder (in 1984) and Managing Director of Paddington Partners, an investment firm that merged with The Vertical Group, Inc. in 1992. He currently serves on the board of directors of Incumed Inc., Dynamic Implants, Inc., and Orbital Fixation, Inc., all privately held companies. He currently serves as the Lead Director and Chairman of the Governance and Nominating Committee.            
       
Name and Principal Occupation Age Director Since Term Expires

Orwin L. Carter, Ph.D. (Class I)
      
Dr. Carter is a self-employed business consultant. From April 1996 to May 1999, he was Vice President of Finance and Administration at Hamline University. Dr. Carter is a director of Theragenics Corporation. He currently serves on the Audit Committee and the Governance and Nominating Committee. 63 1989 2006
       
Luther T. Griffith (Class I)
      
Mr. Griffith is the Chairman and majority shareholder of Care Technologies, Inc., a manufacturer of wireless monitoring and locating systems targeted to assisted living and retirement communities, since 1995. Mr. Griffith is also President of Griffith Resources, Inc., which provides consulting and capital resources to small businesses in the process of change, since 1994. Mr. Griffith is also an “Angel Investor” in various early stage companies. From 1978 through 1994, Mr. Griffith served in numerous management capacities for Alexander & Alexander Services, Inc. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Audit Committee and serves on the Governance and Nominating Committee. 52 2004 2006
       
Richard W. Perkins (Class II)
      
Mr. Perkins is President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Perkins Capital Management, Inc., an investment management firm, where he has held those positions since January 1985. Mr. Perkins is a director of the following public companies: Synovis Life Technologies, Inc., CNS, Inc., PW Eagle, Inc., iNTELEFILM Corp., Nortech Systems, Inc., Two Way TV (US), Inc., Teledigital, Inc. and Vital Images, Inc. He currently serves on the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee. 74 1983 2007

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Board Independence

     The Board of Directors has determined that each of the Company’s directors is independent under the Nasdaq listing standards, except for Dennis J. Allingham, who serves as the Company’s President, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary. Each of the Company’s Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance committees is composed only of independent directors. In making the independence determinations, the Board of Directors reviewed all of the directors’ relationships with the Company based primarily on a review of the responses of the directors to questions regarding employment, business, familial, compensation and other relationships with the Company and the Company’s management.

5


Board Meetings and Committees

     The Board of Directors conducts its business through meetings of the Board and three standing committees: Audit, Compensation, and Governance and Nominating. EachExcept for Mr. Griffith, each committee member identified below has served on the indicated committee since the 20032004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and will continue to serve on the indicated committee through the Annual Meeting.

     During fiscal 20042005 the Board of Directors held 125 meetings. Each of the current directors, while a member of the Board, attended 75% or more of the meetings of the Board of Directors and any committee of the Board on which such director served during fiscal 2004.

5

2005.


Audit Committee

   
Members: John C. Heinmiller,Luther T. Griffith,Chairman
 Orwin L. Carter, Ph.D.
 Richard W. Perkins

     Among other duties, the Audit Committee reviews the scope of the independent audit, considers comments by the independent accountants regarding internal controls and accounting procedures, and considers management’s response to those comments. The Audit Committee is comprised of three directors and operates under a written charter. The Audit Committee charter was amended in August 2004 and is included as Appendix A to this proxy statement. Aa copy of the Audit Committee charter may also be found on the Company’s web site at www.lifecore.com under “Investor Info – Corporate Governance.” All of the Audit Committee members meet the independence and experience requirements of the Nasdaq listing standards and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Board of Directors has identified Richard W. PerkinsLuther T. Griffith to be an audit committee financial expert under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee held seven meetings during fiscal 2004. Upon Mr. Heinmiller’s resignation from the Board effective at the Annual Meeting, the Board intends to appoint another member to the Audit Committee.

2005.

Compensation Committee
   
Members: Thomas H. Garrett,Chairman
 Joan L. Gardner
 Richard W. Perkins

     The Compensation Committee makes recommendations to the Board with respect to executive and key employee compensation. The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter, which was adopted on April 21, 2005 and which may be found on the Company’s web site at www.lifecore.com under “Investor Info – Corporate Governance.” The Compensation Committee is comprised of non-employee directors who meet the independence requirements of the Nasdaq listing standards. The Compensation Committee held two meetingsone meeting during fiscal 2004.

2005.

Governance and Nominating Committee
   
Members: John E. Runnells,Chairman
 Orwin L. Carter, Ph.D.
 Joan L. Gardner
 John C. HeinmillerLuther T. Griffith

     The Governance and Nominating Committee makes recommendations to the Board with respect to nominees to serve on the Board of Directors. The Governance and Nominating Committee operates under a written charter, which was adopted in August 2004 and which may be found on the Company’s web site at www.lifecore.com under “Investor Info – Corporate Governance.” All of the Governance and Nominating Committee members meet the independence requirements of the Nasdaq listing standards. The Governance and Nominating Committee did not hold anyheld two meetings during fiscal 2004.2005.

6


     The Governance and Nominating Committee determines the required selection criteria and qualifications of director nominees based upon the Company’s needs at the time nominees are considered. Directors should possess the highest personal and professional ethics, integrity and values, and be committed to representing the long-term interests of the Company’s shareholders. In evaluating a candidate for nomination as a director of the Company, the Governance and Nominating Committee will consider criteria including business and financial expertise; geography; experience as a director of a public company; gender and ethnic diversity on the Board; and general criteria such as ethical standards, independent thought, practical wisdom and mature judgment. The Governance and Nominating Committee will consider these criteria for nominees identified by the Nominating Committee, by shareholders, or through some other source.

6


     The Governance and Nominating Committee will consider qualified candidates for possible nomination that are submitted by the Company’s shareholders. Shareholders wishing to make such a submission may do so by sending the following information to the Governance and Nominating Committee c/o John Runnells at 3515 Lyman Boulevard, Chaska, MN 55318: (1) name of the candidate and a brief biographical sketch and resume; (2) contact information for the candidate and a document evidencing the candidate’s willingness to serve as a director if elected; and (3) a signed statement as to the submitting shareholder’s current status as a shareholder and the number of shares currently held.

     The Governance and Nominating Committee conducts a process of making a preliminary assessment of each proposed nominee based upon the resume and biographical information, an indication of the individual’s willingness to serve and other background information, business experience, and leadership skills, all to the extent available and deemed relevant by the Nominating Committee. This information is evaluated against the criteria set forth above and the Company’s specific needs at that time. Based upon a preliminary assessment of the candidate(s), those who appear best suited to meet the Company’s needs may be invited to participate in a series of interviews, which are used as a further means of evaluating potential candidates. On the basis of information learned during this process, the Governance and Nominating Committee determines which nominee(s) to recommend to the Board to submit for election at the next annual meeting. The Governance and Nominating Committee uses the same process for evaluating all nominees, regardless of the original source of the nomination.

     No candidates for director nominations were submitted by any shareholder in connection with the Annual Meeting.

Executive Sessions of the Board

     During each regular Board meeting, the Company’s non-employee directors, each of whom meets the independence requirements of the Nasdaq listing standards, meet in executive session without the Chief Executive Officer or any other member of management being present. The Lead Director, who is currently Mr. Runnells, presides at such sessions.

Compensation of Directors

     Directors

     During fiscal 2005, directors who arewere not officers of the Company received a monthly retainer of $1,000, a $600 fee for each Board meeting attended and a $300 fee for each committee meeting attended. Additionally, the Chairman of each committee receivesreceived an annual retainer of $1,000.

Effective July 1, 2005, directors who are not officers of the Company will receive a monthly retainer of $1,000, a $1,000 fee for each Board meeting attended, a $500 fee for each telephonic Board meeting attended and a $500 fee for each committee meeting attended. Additionally, the annual committee chairman fees for the Lead Director and Governance Committee Chair, Audit Committee Chair and Compensation Committee Chair will be $5,000, $4,000 and $2,000, respectively.

     The 1996 Stock Plan (the “1996 Plan”) provides for the automatic granting of options to non-employee directors upon election or re-election by the Board or shareholders (provided that the Board may adjust the option granted to any person who has received a stock option from the Company in the preceding three years.)years). Each option covers 30,000 shares and vests over a three-year period. Non-employee directors are also eligible for additional option grants under the 1996 Plan and the 2003 Stock Incentive Plan. Pursuant to the automatic grant feature of the 1996 Plan, Mr. CarterPerkins was granted an option to purchase 30,000 shares at an exercise price of $6.66$11.78 per share on November 13, 2003.11, 2004. Additionally, Mr. Griffith was granted an option to purchase 30,000 shares at an exercise price of $9.63 per share on November 4, 2004 upon being named a director of the Company.

7


Policy Regarding Attendance at Annual Meetings

     The Company encourages, but does not require, its Board members to attend the annual meeting of shareholders. Last year, fourthree of the Company’s directors attended the Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

7


Shareholder Communication with Directors

     Shareholders may communicate with the Company’s Board of Directors by sending a letter addressed to the Board of Directors or specified individual directors to: Lifecore Biomedical, Inc., c/o Secretary 3515 Lyman Boulevard, Chaska, MN 55318. All communications will be compiled by the Secretary of the Company and submitted to the Board or the individual directors on a periodic basis.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

     The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) which applies to the Company’s directors, officers and employees. The Code of Ethics is published on the Company’s website at www.lifecore.com under “Investor Info – Corporate Governance.” Any amendments to the Code of Ethics and waivers of the Code of Ethics for the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Controller will be published on the Company’s website.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Report of the Compensation Committee

     The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is composed entirely of non-employee directors, currently consisting of Mr. Garrett (Chairman), Ms. Gardner and Mr. Perkins. The Compensation Committee is responsible for approving and recommending to the Board of Directors all short and long-term compensation plans for the executive officers of the Company and the Board of Directors and for administering the Company’s stock option plans. All decisions by the Compensation Committee relating to the compensation of the Company’s executive officers are reviewed by the full Board.

     Set forth below is a report submitted by Mr. Garrett, Ms. Gardner and Mr. Perkins in their capacity as the Board’s Compensation Committee (the “Committee”), addressing the Company’s compensation policies for fiscal 20042005 as they affected the Company’s executive officers generally, and specifically as they affected Dr. Bracke, the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Allingham, the Company’s current Chief Executive Officer, and Messrs. Decarie, Hiebert, Noel Decarie and Hiebert,Thacker, the Company’s other executive officers whose cash compensation exceeded $100,000 during fiscal 2004.

2005.

     The Committee, under the direction of the Board of Directors, engaged an outside compensation consulting firm to obtain recommendations on executive compensation, executive bonus plans, and executive stock option plans. The recommendations provided by the compensation consultants were utilized by the Committee and the Board of Directors in setting executive compensation infor fiscal 2004.

2005.

     The following report shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this proxy statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”) or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”), except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act.

Compensation Policies Toward Executive Officers

     The Company’s executive compensation has historically consisted of three components: (i) base salaries, (ii) stock options and (iii) cash bonuses. Each of these elements is discussed below:

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     Base Salaries.In determining the base salaries of each executive officer, the Company has utilized the report by the compensation consultants, compensation surveys and has considered performance against defined goals and longevity with the Company. Mr. Allingham’s compensation is discussed below under “Chief Executive Officer Compensation.”

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     Stock Options.During fiscal 2004,2005, the only executive officer that the Company granted any stock options to all ofwas Mr. Thacker.

Restricted Stock. During fiscal 2005, the Company granted 60,000 restricted common stock awards to its executive officers, including Mr. Allingham as set forth in the Summary Compensation Table. The Committee selected the recipients of options and the numbers of shares subject to their options according to the dutiesofficers. 50,000 of the recipientsshares were awarded at a price of $9.30 and their performance6,667 of those shares were forfeited during the preceding fiscal year. Stock options were also granted to both Mr. Hiebert and Mr. Noel upon being named officersyear ended June 30, 2005. 10,000 of the Company in March 2004. Stock options typicallyshares were awarded at a price of $10.79. The restricted shares will vest over a four-year period, however, stock options granted in June 2004 to Messrs. Allingham, Decarie, Hiebert and Noel were vested in full onat the earlier of four years from the date of grantissuance or upon achievement of financial performance criteria for fiscal years 2005, 2006 and 2007. The Company achieved the financial performance criteria in considerationfiscal 2005, and as a result, 20,000 shares vested. The employee forfeits unvested shares upon the termination of employment prior to the end of the execution of Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation Agreements by such officers. Stock option grants are intended to focus the Company’s officers and key employees on long-term Company performance to build shareholder value and provide significant earnings potential for the recipients. The typical vesting requirements for the stock options are designed to direct the Company’s executives toward steady growth and to retain their services on a long-term basis.

period.

     Cash Bonuses.During fiscal 2004,2005, the Company achieved certain financial targets for revenues and profitability, which in turn qualified the Company’s executives for a cash bonus as set forth in the Summary Compensation Table. Bonuses were also paid during 20032004 and 20022003 based on the achievement of certain financial targets for revenue and other non-financial objectives. No other cash bonuses have been paid to any of the Company’s executive officers during the past five fiscal years.

     In addition to the compensation described above, the Company allows its executives to participate in other broad-based employee benefit plans, such as the Company’s 401(k). The 401(k) plan provides for a Company match of 25% on up to the first four percent contributed by the employee.

Effective October 1, 2005 the Company match will increase to 50% on up to the first four percent contributed by the employee.

     There is a $1 million limit on the deductibility of certain compensation for federal income tax purposes pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. The 1996 Stock Plan and the 2003 Stock Incentive Plan contain limitations on the number of stock options that may be granted to any person in any fiscal year. These limitations are intended to preserve the Company’s federal tax deduction for compensation expense related to stock options that may be granted to executive officers under these plans. Given the Company’s current levels of cash compensation, the Committee does not believe it will be necessary to take any other action to qualify the Company’s compensation programs under Section 162(m) in the foreseeable future; however, the Committee will continue to evaluate whether any future action is appropriate.

Chief Executive Officer Compensation

     The compensation of Mr. Allingham, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, is set by and subject to the discretion of the Committee, with approval of the Board of Directors. In determining the base salary, the Committee has utilized the report by the compensation consultants, compensation surveys and has considered performance against defined goals and longevity with the Company. Mr. Allingham’s salary was $225,000 at$285,000 for fiscal 2005, which the beginning of fiscal 2004 and was increased to $275,000 in February 2004 upon his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Committee believes this level is competitive with other salaries of chief executive officers in the industry. Mr. Allingham also received stock options to purchase 105,00020,000 shares of restricted stock of the Company’s common stockCompany in fiscal 2004.2005. The Committee believes these grants are comparable to opportunities that would be available elsewhere in the industry.

     The compensation of Dr. Bracke, the Company’s prior Chief Executive Officer, was $300,000 during fiscal 2004, equal to his base salary in fiscal 2003. Dr. Bracke also received a stock option to purchase 6,000 shares of the Company’s common stock in fiscal 2004.

     The Company and Dr. Bracke entered into a new employment agreement in October 2003 and a separation agreement in February 2004. See “Executive Compensation — Change in Control, Employment and Separation Agreements.”

SUBMITTED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE COMPANY’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Thomas H. Garrett,Chairman
Joan L. Gardner
Richard W. Perkins
   
 Thomas H. Garrett,Chairman
 Joan L. Gardner
Richard W. Perkins

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Summary Compensation Table

     The following table sets forth certain information regarding compensation paid during each of the Company’s last three fiscal years to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and each of the Company’s other executive officers whose cash compensation exceeded $100,000, based on salary and bonus earned during fiscal 2004.2005.
                    
               Long-Term 
 Long-Term Compensation 
 Annual Compensation
 Compensation
 Fiscal Annual Compensation Restricted Stock 
Name and Principal Position
 Fiscal Year
 Salary
 Bonus
 Stock Options (1)
 Year Salary Bonus Stock (1) Options (2) 
Dennis J. Allingham 2004 243,720 41,250 105,000  2005 289,802 108,300 186,000  
President and Chief 2003 201,907 5,000 3,500  2004 243,720 41,250  105,000 
Executive Officer 2002 194,967 19,287 25,000  2003 201,907 5,000  3,500 
 
James W. Bracke (2) 2004 303,353  6,000 
President and Chief 2003 304,154 6,000 5,000 
Executive Officer 2002 302,156 30,000 25,000 
Andre P. Decarie (3) 2005 176,266 61,250 93,000  
Vice President of Sales 2004 172,377 24,500  35,000 
and Marketing — ORD 2003 153,192 3,875  2,500 
 
David M. Noel (3) 2004 113,073 19,500 60,000 
David M. Noel 2005 136,635 49,950 93,000  
Vice President of Finance and 2003 103,292  1,000  2004 113,073 19,500  60,000 
Chief Financial Officer 2002 37,808  5,000  2003 103,292   1,000 
Andre P. Decarie 2004 172,377 24,500 35,000 
Vice President of Sales 2003 153,192 3,875 2,500 
and Marketing — ORD 2002 144,523 14,560 55,000 
 
Larry D. Hiebert 2004 119,421 19,500 60,000  2005 136,743 51,300 93,000  
Vice President of Operations 2003 111,908  1,000  2004 119,421 19,500  60,000 
 2002 108,577  1,000  2003 111,908   1,000 
      
Kipling Thacker, Ph.D. 2005 119,784 46,800 107,900 30,000 
Vice President of New Business 2004 102,974 21,161  2,000 
Development 2003 103,260 5,800   


(1)The value of each executive officer’s restricted stock included in this column is determined by multiplying the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the respective dates of grant of the awards by the number of shares awarded. The named executive officers held shares of restricted stock as of June 30, 2005, with market values as of that date (calculated by multiplying the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on that date by the total number of restricted shares held by each officer) as follows: Mr. Allingham, 20,000 shares valued at $218,200; Mr. Decarie, 10,000 shares valued at $109,100; Mr. Noel, 10,000 shares valued at $109,100; Mr. Hiebert, 10,000 shares valued at $109,100; and Mr. Thacker, 10,000 shares valued at $109,100. The restricted shares will vest at the earlier of four years from the date of issuance or upon achievement of financial performance criteria for fiscal years 2005, 2006 and 2007. The executive officers have the right to receive dividends on the shares of restricted stock held by them.
(2) Number of shares of common stock purchasable under option grants.
 
(2)(3) Mr. BrackeDecarie left the Company in February 2004.
(3)Mr. Noel joined the Company in February 2002.July 2005.

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Option Grants In Last Fiscal Year

     The following table summarizes option grants during fiscal 20042005 to the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table.
                         
      % of Total         Potential Realizable Value
      Options         at Assumed Annual Rates
      Granted         of Stock Price
      to Exercise     Appreciation of Option
      Employees or Base     Term (5)
  Options in Last Price Per Expiration 


Name
 Granted
 Year
 Share (3)
 Date (4)
 5%
 10%
Dennis J. Allingham  5,000 (2)  1.5% $6.04  August 1, 2013 $18,993  $48,131 
Dennis J. Allingham  100,000 (2)  29.2%  5.91  June 23, 2014  392,852   941,902 
James W. Bracke  6,000 (2)  1.8%  6.04  August 1, 2013  22,791   57,757 
David M. Noel  30,000 (1)  8.8%  8.10  March 3, 2014  45,803   387,279 
David M. Noel  30,000 (2)  8.8%  5.91  June 23, 2014  111,503   282,571 
Andre P. Decarie  5,000 (2)  1.5%  6.04  August 1, 2013  18,993   48,131 
Andre P. Decarie  30,000 (2)  8.8%  5.91  June 23, 2014  111,503   282,571 
Larry D. Hiebert  30,000 (1)  8.8%  8.10  March 3, 2014  45,803   387,279 
Larry D. Hiebert  30,000 (2)  8.8%  5.91  June 23, 2014  111,503   282,571 
                         
                  Potential Realizable Value 
      % of Total          at Assumed Annual Rates 
      Options  Exercise      of Stock Price 
      Granted to  or Base      Appreciation of Option 
  Options  Employees  Price Per  Expiration  Term (4) 
Name Granted  in Last Year  Share (2)  Date (3)  5%  10% 
Kipling Thacker, Ph.D.  30,000(1)  15.9% $10.790   1/7/2015  $203,573  $515,894 


 (1)Exercisable in cumulative installments of 25% per year commencing one year from the date of grant (March 3, 2004), with full vesting occurring on the fourth anniversary date.
 (2)(1) Fully vested and exercisable on date of grant.
 
(3)(2) All options were granted at the market value of the Company’s common stock based upon the last reported price on the date of grant. The exercise price and tax withholding obligations related to exercise may be paid by delivery of already owned shares or by offset of the underlying shares, subject to certain conditions.
 
(4)(3) All options have a ten-year term, subject to termination of employment.
 
(5)(4) Gains are reported net of the option exercise price, but before taxes associated with exercise. These amounts represent certain assumed rates of appreciation only. Actual gains, if any, on stock option exercises are dependent on the future performance of the common stock, overall stock market conditions, as well as the option holder’s continued employment through the vesting period. The amounts reflected in this table may not necessarily be achieved.

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Aggregate Option Exercises In Last Fiscal Year And Year-End Option Values

     None of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table exercised any options during the 2004 fiscal year.

     The following table summarizes stock option exercises during the last fiscal year and the value of unexercised options held by the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table at the end of fiscal 2004.2005.
                                    
 Value of Unexercised Shares Value of Unexercised 
 Number of Unexercised in-the-Money Options at Acquired Number of Unexercised in-the-Money Options at 
 Options at Year-End
 Year-End (1)
 on Value Options at Year-End Year-End (2) 
Name
 Exercisable
 Unexercisable
 Exercisable
 Unexercisable
 Exercise Realized (1) Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable 
Dennis J. Allingham 325,625 28,875 $30,062 $2,188   $ 352,750 1,750 $910,195 $5,285 
James W. Bracke 873,037  438  
David M. Noel 32,750 33,250 6,900     41,750 24,250 178,351 66,851 
Andre P. Decarie 84,375 30,625 31,063 10,738  5,000 57,500 95,000 15,000 381,600 37,125 
Larry D. Hiebert 47,050 42,500 9,750 950    66,300 23,250 215,152 65,029 
Kipling Thacker, Ph.D.   53,050 3,000 26,388 10,320 


(1)Market value on the date of exercise of shares covered by options exercised, less option exercise price.
(2) The closing price for the Company’s common stock on June 30, 20042005 was $6.14.$10.91. Value is calculated on the basis of the difference between the option exercise price and $6.14$10.91 multiplied by the number of shares of common stock underlying the options.

Change in Control, Employment and Separation Agreements

Change in Control Agreements

     Each of the Company’s current executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table is a party to a change in control agreement with the Company designed to retain the executive officer and provide for continuity of management in the event of an actual or threatened change in control of the Company (as “change in control” is defined in the agreements). The agreements provide that, in the event of a change in control, each executive officer would have specific rights and receive specified benefits if the executive officer is terminated without “cause” (as defined in the agreements) or the executive officer voluntarily terminates his or her employment for “good reason” (as defined in the agreements) within two years after the change in control. In these circumstances, Mr. Allingham will receive a severance payment equal to two times his annual salary and annual bonus, and Messrs. Decarie, Hiebert, Noel and NoelThacker will each receive a severance payment equal to the executive officer’s annual salary and annual bonus. In addition, the Company will continue to provide certain benefits to the executive officers for two years following termination, and all options and incentive awards granted to the executive officers under the Company’s plans will become immediately exercisable or vested.

Employment and Separation Agreements with Dr. BrackeAgreement

     Dr. James W. Bracke,

     On May 10, 2005, the Company’s former President and Chief Executive Officer,Company entered into an employment agreementa Separation Agreement with Andre P. Decarie, Vice President of Sales and Marketing of the Company on October 16, 2003, which provided for Dr. Bracke to receive a salaryOral Restorative Division of $300,000 per year. In addition, Dr. Bracke was entitled to participate in the Company’s bonus plan and to receive certain other benefits. The agreement provided for the payment of severance equal to 12 months of base salary in the event his employment was terminated by the Company without cause or equal to six months base salary in the event his employment was terminated by the Company with “cause” (as defined in the agreement).Company. Pursuant to the termsagreement, Mr. Decarie’s employment as Vice President of Sales and Marketing of the agreement, Dr. Bracke agreed not to compete withOral Restorative Division of the Company or solicitended effective as of July 1, 2005. The agreement provides that Mr. Decarie will receive his then current base salary through June 30, 2006, and the Company will continue to pay the Company’s business or customers for a periodportion of one year following the termination of his employment. In addition, the agreement provided for a paymentMr. Decarie’s COBRA continuation health coverage through June 30, 2006. Mr. Decarie agreed to Dr. Bracke equal to three times his annual base salary in the event his employment was terminated byrelease the Company following a change in control.

and its affiliates from all liability for claims arising prior to the execution of the agreement.

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     On February 10, 2004, Dr. Bracke resigned as an officer, director and employee of the Company, and Dr. Bracke and the Company entered into a separation agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the separation agreement, the Company agreed to pay to Dr. Bracke severance equal to 12 months of base salary and to provide Dr. Bracke with the other benefits Dr. Bracke would have been entitled to receive under the terms of his employment agreement had his employment been terminated by the Company without cause.

STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE GRAPH

     The following graph compares the yearly percentage change in the cumulative total shareholder return on the Company’s common stock during the five years ended June 30, 20042005 with the cumulative total return on: (i) the Nasdaq Stock Market Index (U.S. Companies) and (ii) the General Nasdaq Medical Device Manufacturing Index. The comparison assumes that $100 was invested on June 30, 19992000 in the Company’s common stock and in each of the foregoing indices and assumes reinvestment of dividends.

(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)

                         
  6/30/99
 6/30/00
 6/30/01
 6/30/02
 6/30/03
 6/30/04
Lifecore Biomedical, Inc. $100.00  $68.48  $43.48  $98.61  $49.22  $53.39 
Nasdaq Medical Device Mfg. Index  100.00   115.78   133.16   121.45   130.90   187.86 
Nasdaq Market Index  100.00   150.47   83.33   56.52   62.85   79.93 
(LINE GRAPH)
                         
  6/30/00  6/30/01  6/30/02  6/30/03  6/30/04  6/30/05 
Lifecore Biomedical, Inc. $100.00  $63.49  $144.00  $71.87  $77.97  $138.53 
Nasdaq Medical Device Mfg. Index  100.00   115.01   104.89   113.05   162.25   163.12 
Nasdaq Market Index  100.00   55.38   37.56   41.77   53.12   53.07 

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT AND PAYMENT OF FEES TO ACCOUNTANTS

Report of the Audit Committee

     The following is the report of the Audit Committee with respect to the Company’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004.

2005.

     The following report shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this proxy statement into any filing under the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act.

     The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited financial statements with management. The Audit Committee has discussed with Grant Thornton LLP, the Company’s independent certified public accountants, the matters required to be discussed by Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication with Audit Committees. The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from Grant Thornton LLP required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 relating to the accountant’s independence

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from the Company, has discussed with Grant Thornton LLP their independence from the Company, and has considered the compatibility of non-audit services with the accountant’s independence.

     The Audit Committee acts pursuant to the Audit Committee Charter. The Audit Committee Charter was amended by the Board of Directors in August 2004 to be in compliance with all provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Nasdaq requirements. Each of the members of the Audit Committee qualifies as an “independent” Director under the current listing standards of Nasdaq.

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     Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Company’s Board of Directors that the Company’s audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004.

2005.

SUBMITTED BY THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE COMPANY’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Luther T. Griffith,Chairman
Orwin L. Carter
Richard W. Perkins
   
 John C. Heinmiller,Chairman
 Orwin L. Carter
Richard W. Perkins

Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees, Tax Fees and All Other Fees

     The following table presents fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements for 20032005 and 2004 and fees billed for other services provided by the Company’s independent public accountants in each of the last two fiscal years:
                
 2004
 2003
 2005 2004 
Audit Fees (1) $63,000 $54,000  $81,600 $63,000 
Audit-Related Fees(2)    140,000  
Tax Fees (2)(3) 15,000 21,000  55,000 15,000 
All Other Fees (3)(4) 30,000 6,000  21,600 30,000 


(1) Audit fees consisted of audit work performed in preparation of the Company’s annual financial statements and review of the quarterly financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for fiscal years 20032005 and 2004.
 
(2) Audit-Related Fees consisted of fees related to Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.
(3)Tax fees consisted of fees related to federal and state income tax return preparation and tax planning and tax advice related to the Company’s stock option plans.
 
(3)(4) Other fees includeconsisted of fees for Sarbanes-Oxley compliance,related to the audit of the Company’s 401K Plan and other financial consulting services.

     The Audit Committee has considered whether the non-audit services provided by Grant Thornton LLP during the last fiscal year are compatible with maintaining Grant Thornton LLP’s independence and has concluded that they are.

Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services Provided by the Company’s Independent Accountants

     The Audit Committee is responsible for appointing, setting compensation for and overseeing the work of the independent accountants. The Audit Committee has established a policy for pre-approving the services provided by the Company’s independent accountant in accordance with the auditor independence rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. This policy requires the review and pre-approval by the Audit Committee of all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent accountants and an annual review of the financial plan for audit fees.

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     To ensure that auditor independence is maintained, the Audit Committee annually pre-approves the audit services to be provided by the independent accountants and the related estimated fees for such services, as well as the nature and extent of specific types of audit-related, tax and other non-audit services to be provided by the independent accountants during the year.

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     As the need arises, other specific permitted services are pre-approved on a case-by-case basis during the year. A request for pre-approval of services on a case-by-case basis must be submitted by the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, providing information as to the nature of the particular service to be provided, estimated related fees and management’s assessment of the impact of the service on the auditor’s independence. The Audit Committee has delegated to its Chair pre-approval authority between meetings of the Audit Committee. Any pre-approvals made by the Chair must be reported to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will not delegate to management the pre-approval of services to be performed by the independent accountants.

     All of the services provided by the independent accountants in fiscal 2004,2005, including services related to the Audit-Related Fees, Tax Fees and All Other Fees described above, were approved by the Audit Committee under its pre-approval policies.
PROPOSAL 2 — AMENDMENT OF THE COMPANY’S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
AND BYLAWS TO ELIMINATE THE CLASSIFIED BOARD STRUCTURE
     The Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (Articles VI and VIII) and Amended Bylaws (Articles II, Section II, and Article VIII) currently provide for the classification of the Board of Directors into three classes, with each class being elected every three years, and contain provisions relating to such classification concerning the filling of director vacancies and the removal of directors. The Board of Directors has determined that the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended Bylaws should be amended to repeal these provisions and to make certain conforming changes as appropriate and has unanimously adopted resolutions approving such amendments, declaring their advisability and recommending such amendments to the Company’s shareholders.
     If the proposed amendments are approved by the Company’s shareholders, the classified Board structure will be eliminated, the current term of office of each director will end at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and all directors will thereafter be elected for one-year terms at each Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Furthermore, any director chosen as a result of a newly created directorship or to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors will hold office until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
     If the proposed amendments are not approved by shareholders, the Board of Directors will remain classified, and the four directors elected at the Annual Meeting will be elected for a three-year term expiring in 2008. All other directors will continue in office for the remainder of their full three-year terms, subject to their earlier retirement, resignation, removal or death.
     A classified board of directors has the effect of making it more difficult for a substantial shareholder to gain control of a board of directors without the approval or cooperation of incumbent directors and therefore may deter unfriendly and unsolicited takeover proposals and proxy contests. A classified board of directors also makes it more difficult for shareholders to change a majority of directors even where a majority of shareholders are dissatisfied with the performance of incumbent directors. Many institutional investors believe that the election of directors is the primary means for shareholders to influence corporate governance policies and to hold management accountable for implementing these policies.
     The Board of Directors examined the arguments for and against continuation of the classified Board and determined that the classified Board should be eliminated. The Board believes that all directors should be equally accountable at all times for the Company’s performance and that the will of the majority of shareholders should not be impeded by a classified board. The proposed amendment will allow shareholders to review and express their opinions on the performance of all directors each year. Because there is no limit to the number of terms an individual may serve, the continuity and stability of the Board’s membership and the Company’s policies and long-term strategic planning should not be affected.
     The affirmative vote of shareholders holding at least two-thirds of the shares of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote as of the record date is required for approval of this proposal. All abstentions and failures to return a proxy card will have the same effect as a vote against this proposal.

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     The proposed amendments to the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended Bylaws are set forth in Appendix A to this proxy statement, with deletions indicated by strike-outs and additions indicated by underlining. If this proposal is approved by the requisite vote of shareholders as set forth above, Articles of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation will be filed with the State of Minnesota. The proposed amendments to the Amended Bylaws will become effective upon shareholder approval of this proposal.
The Board of Directors recommends that the shareholders vote “FOR” the proposal to amend the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended Bylaws to eliminate the classification of the Board of Directors, and the enclosed proxy will be so voted unless a contrary vote is indicated.
PROPOSAL 3 — RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
(Proposal #2)

     While the Company is not required to do so, the Company is submitting the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP to serve as the Company’s independent public accountant for the fiscal year ending June 30, 20052006 for ratification in order to ascertain the views of the Company’s shareholders on this appointment. If the appointment is not ratified, the Audit Committee will reconsider its selection. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee, which is solely responsible for appointing and terminating the Company’s independent public accountant, may in its discretion, direct the appointment of a different independent public accountant at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and the Company’s shareholders.

     Grant Thornton LLP havehas been the Company’s independent accountant since 1983. The Board of Directors has recommended that the shareholders ratify the reappointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the Company’s independent accountant for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005.

2006.

     A representative of Grant Thornton LLP is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting. Such representative will be given the opportunity to make a statement at the Annual Meeting and will be available to answer any appropriate questions.

     The Board of Directors recommends that the shareholders vote “FOR” the proposal to ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the Company’s independent accountant for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005,2006, and the enclosed proxy will be so voted unless a contrary vote is indicated.

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR NEXT ANNUAL MEETING

     The proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission permit shareholders to include proposals for shareholder action in the Company’s proxy statement if notification of such proposals is received by the Company not less than 120 days in advance of the calendar date the Company’s proxy statement was mailed to shareholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting. Therefore, notice of shareholder proposals to be included in the proxy statement for the Company’s annual meeting for fiscal year ending June 30, 20052006 must be received by the Company before June 6, 2005.21, 2006. Any such proposal must be in the form required under the rules and regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

     The Company’s Bylaws also provide that shareholders may present proposals for shareholder action, which will not be included in the Company’s proxy statement but may be considered at the annual meeting, by giving notice to the Secretary of the Company not less than

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50 days nor more than 75 days prior to the annual meeting (or if less than 60 days’ notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting is given or made to shareholders, not later than the 10th day following the day on which the notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made). Notice relating to the conduct of such business at an annual meeting must contain certain information about such business and the shareholder who proposes to bring such business before the annual meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, the name and address of such shareholder, and any material interest of such shareholder in the business he or she proposes. The Company’s annual meeting for the fiscal year ending June 30, 20052006 is expected to be held on or about November 16, 2005.2006.

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OTHER MATTERS

     The management of the Company knows of no matter other than the foregoing to be brought before the meeting. However, the enclosed proxy gives discretionary authority in the event additional matters should be presented.

     The Annual Report of the Company which includes the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2004,2005, including the consolidated financial statements and schedule thereto, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is enclosed herewith.
   
 By order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Dennis J. Allingham  
   
/s/ DENNIS J. ALLINGHAM
 Dennis J. Allingham
President, CEO and Secretary

October 4, 2004

19, 2005

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Directions to Oak Ridge Conference Center, 1 Oak Ridge Drive, Chaska, Minnesota 55318

(OAK RIDGE MAP)


APPENDIX A

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
AND THE AMENDED BYLAWS OF LIFECORE BIOMEDICAL, INC.
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTERTO ELIMINATE THE CLASSIFIED STRUCTURE OF THE BOARD

This charter governs the operations

The text of the Audit Committeeproposed amendments is marked to reflect the proposed changes.
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
     Article VI of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation is amended to read as follows:
VI.
Section 1. The management and conduct of the business and affairs of the corporation shall be vested in a Board of Directors which shall consist of such number of directors, not less than three, the exact number to be fixed from time to time solely by resolution of the Board of Directors, (the “Committee”)acting by not less than a majority of Lifecore Biomedical, Inc.

the directors then in office.

PurposeSection 2

.The CommitteeBoard of Directors shall assistbe divided into three classes, with the term of office of one class expiring each year. Each classEach of the directors shall hold officefor a three-year termuntil the regular meeting of shareholders next held after such director’s election and until such director’s successor shall have been elected and shall qualify, or until the earlier death, resignation, removal or disqualification of such director. In the case of any vacancy on the Board of Directors, including a vacancy created by an increase in overseeing the Company’s accounting and financial reporting process,number of directors, the systems of internal accounting and financial controls, disclosure controls and procedures, and the annual independent auditvacancy shall be filled by election of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

It is notBoard of Directors with the dutydirector so elected to serve for the remainder of the Committeeterm of the director being replaced or, in the case of an additional director, for the remainder of the term of the class to planwhich the director has been assigned. All directors shall continue in office until the election and qualification of their respective successors in office. When the number of directors is changed, any newly created directorships or conduct auditsany decrease in directorships shall be so assigned among the classes by a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, as to make all classes as nearly equal in number as possible. No decrease in the number of directors shall have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director.

Section 3. Any director or directors may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of all the outstanding shares of Voting Stock (as hereinafter defined), voting together as a single class.Section 4. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to accept or reject subscriptions for capital stock and may grant options to purchase or subscribe for capital stock. The Board of Directors shall, from time to time, fix and determine that the Company’s consolidated financial statements are complete and accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. This is the responsibility of management and the independent auditor,consideration for which the independent auditor is ultimately accountablecorporation shall issue and sell its capital stock, and also the dividends to be paid by the corporation upon the capital stock. The Board of Directors shall have authority to fix the terms and conditions of rights to convert any securities of this corporation into shares and to authorize the issuance of such conversion rights.
Section 5.4. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to issue bonds, debentures or other securities convertible into capital stock or other securities of any class, or bearer warrants or other evidences of optional rights to purchase and/or subscribe to capital stock or other securities of any class, upon such terms, in such manner, and under such conditions as may be fixed by resolution of the board prior to the Committee.

issue thereof.

MembershipSection 6.

5.The CommitteeBoard of Directors shall consist of at least three directors. The Chairpersonhave the authority to make and membersalter the Bylaws, subject to the power of the Committee will be appointed byshareholders to change or repeal the Board of Directors. The members of the Audit Committee shall meet the independence, experience and other requirements of The NASDAQ Stock Market and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Meetings of the Committee

The Committee will meet prior to each quarterly earnings release, or more frequently as circumstances dictate. A majority of the members of the Committee will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Committee meetings may be held telephonically. Written minutes shall be prepared by the Committee for all meetings.

Responsibilities

Policies and procedures of the Committee should remain flexible in order to best react to changing conditions and circumstances.

The Audit Committee shall:

1.Appoint and determine funding for the independent auditor, oversee the work of the independent auditor for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company and, where appropriate, remove the independent auditor. The independent auditor shall report directly to the Committee.
2.Evaluate the qualifications, performance and independence of the independent auditor on an ongoing basis, but no less frequently than annually.
3.Establish policies and procedures for, and, as appropriate, approve the engagement of, the independent auditor for any non-audit service (to the extent such service is not prohibited by Section 10A(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) and the fee for any such service, and consider whether the independent auditor’s performance of any non-audit service is compatible with its independence.
4.Meet with the independent auditor prior to the annual audit to review the planning, staffing and scope of the audit and its audit procedures.

Bylaws.

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5.Review and discuss with management and the independent auditor the Company’s annual audited and quarterly consolidated financial statements, including major issues regarding accounting and auditing principles and practices; the adequacy of disclosure and internal controls that could significantly affect the Company’s consolidated financial statements; and the significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Review the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These reviews shall occur prior to the filing or release of such reports and consolidated financial statements and shall include review of management’s assessment of the Company’s internal controls.
6.Recommend to the Board whether, based on the review and discussions described in (5), (10) and (11), the annual audited consolidated financial statements should be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K.
7.Review with the independent auditor the results of the annual audit examination, including any accompanying management letters and management’s response, and any significant problems or difficulties encountered in the course of the audit work and management’s response, including any restrictions on the scope of activities or access to required information, any significant changes required in the planned scope of the audit, and any significant disagreements with management. Resolve any disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting.
8.Review with management and the independent auditor the Company’s quarterly earnings press release after the independent auditor has completed its quarterly SAS 71 review or annual audit procedures. Also, generally discuss the types of information to be disclosed and the type of presentation to be made with respect to earnings press releases and financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and ratings agencies.
9.Review major changes to the Company’s accounting principles and practices as suggested by the independent auditor and management.
10.Review the independent auditor’s annual communication regarding their independence as required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, discuss such reports with the independent auditor, and take any additional action required to ensure the independence of the auditor.
11.Discuss with the independent auditor the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards (“SAS”) No. 61, as amended by SAS No. 90, relating to the conduct of the annual audit.
12.Prepare the report required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement.
13.Establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.
14.Oversee the Company’s code of ethics for the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, as contemplated by rules promulgated under the Exchange Act.
15.Review and approve all related party transactions.
16.Review annually, or more frequently as appropriate, with the Company’s chief executive officer legal matters that may have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, the Company’s compliance policies and any material reports or inquiries received from regulators or governmental agencies.

Section 7.6. A quorum for any meeting of shareholders to transact business of this corporation, except as otherwise specifically provided herein or by law, shall be the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of twenty percent (20%) of the shares of Voting Stock of the corporation outstanding and of record on the record date set for such meeting.
Section 8. Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles of Incorporation or of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any particular class of Voting Stock required by law or these Articles of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of all the outstanding shares of Voting Stock (as hereinafter defined), voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal this Article VI.Section 9.7. The term “Voting Stock” as used in this Article shall mean all authorized and issued capital stock of this corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the corporation.
     Article VIII of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation is amended to read as follows:
VIII.
Except as otherwise provided in Article VI, anyAny provisions contained in these Articles of Incorporation may be amended solely by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock entitled to vote.
Amended Bylaws
     Article II, Section 2, of the Amended Bylaws is amended to read as follows:
SECTION 2.
     (a) The Board of Directors shall consist of such number of directors, not less than three, the exact number to be fixed from time to time solely by resolution of the Board of Directors, acting by not less than a majority of the directors then in office.
     (b) The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes, with the term of office of one class expiring each year. Each classEach of the directors shall hold officefor a three-year termuntil the regular meeting of shareholders next held after such director’s election and until such director’s successor shall have been elected and shall qualify, or until the earlier death, resignation, removal or disqualification of such director. In the case of any vacancy on the Board of Directors, including a vacancy created by an increase in the number of directors, the vacancy shall be filled by election of the Board of Directorswith the director so elected to serve for the remainder of the term of the director being replaced or, in the case of an additional director, for the remainder of the term of the class to which the director has been assigned. All directors shall continue in office until the election and qualification of their respective successors in office. When the number of directors is changed, any newly created directorships shall be so assigned among the classes by a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, as to make all classes as nearly equal in number as possible. No decrease in the number of directors shall have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director.
(c) Any director or directors may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of all the outstanding shares of voting stock (as defined in Article VI of the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation), voting together as a single class.
(d) (c) In the event that the Board of Directors increases the number of directors or fills a vacancy on the Board in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section 2, the Board of Directors shall give written notice to the shareholders of the Corporation of any increase in the number of directors and of pertinent information regarding any director so elected by the Board to fill a vacancy. Such written notice shall be effected by inclusion of such information in the next mailing to shareholders of the Corporation following any such increase in the number of directors or election of a director to fill a vacancy by the Board.

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17.Review and reassess the adequacy of this charter annually and recommend any proposed changes to the Board for approval.

Authority

     Article VIII of the Amended Bylaws is amended to read as follows:
     SECTION 1. The Committee will have the resourcesBoard of Directors may alter or amend these Bylaws and authority appropriate to discharge its responsibilities, including sole authority to:

retain and terminate the independent auditor, which will be accountable to and reportmay make or adopt additional Bylaws subject to the Committee;

approve any non-audit relationship with the independent auditor, other than any relationship to provide services prohibited by Section 10A(g)power of the Exchange Act; and

approve all audit engagement fees and terms.

     In addition,shareholders to change or repeal the Committee will have authority to:

conductBylaws, except that the Board of Directors shall not make or authorize investigations intoalter any matters within its scopeBylaws fixing their qualifications, classifications or term of responsibilities;

engage outside auditors for special audits, reviews and other procedures;

retain special counsel and other experts and consultants to advise the Committee;

approve the fees and other retention terms for such parties; and

approve ordinary administrative expenses of the Committee that are necessaryoffice, or appropriate in carrying out its duties.reducing their number.

     SECTION 2. The Committee shall have full access to all books, records, facilities, and personnel of the Companyshareholders may alter or amend these Bylaws and may requestmake or adopt additional Bylaws by a majority vote at any officer or employee of the Company or the Company’s outside counsel or independent auditor to attend aannual meeting of the Committeeshareholders or to meet withat any membersspecial meeting called for that purpose, except as may be provided by Article VI or any other provisions of or consultants to, the Committee.

AdoptionArticles of Charter

This Charter was adopted byIncorporation of the Company’s Board of Directors on May 24, 2001 and was amended by the Board on April 28, 2004 and August 26, 2004.

Corporation
.

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LIFECORE BIOMEDICAL, INC.

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

Thursday, November 11, 200417, 2005

 

 

   
Lifecore Biomedical, Inc.  
3515 Lyman Boulevard, Chaska, Minnesota 55318 proxy

This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors for use at the Annual Meeting on November 11, 2004.17, 2005.

The shares of stock you hold in your account or in a dividend reinvestment account will be voted as you specify below.

If no choice is specified, the proxy will be voted “FOR”FOR Items 1, 2 and 2.3.

The undersigned hereby appointappoints Dennis J. Allingham and David M. Noel, and each of them, as proxies, with full power of substitution to vote all shares of common stock which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Lifecore Biomedical, Inc., to be held in Chaska,Minneapolis, MN on November 11, 200417, 2005 or at any adjournments thereof, upon any and all matters which may properly be brought before the meeting or adjournments thereof, hereby revoking all former proxies.

 

 

See reverse for voting instructions.

 


-Please detach here-

 

The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote FOR Items 1, 2 and 2.3.

             
1.
 Election of director:directors: 01 Richard W. PerkinsDennis J. Allingham
02 Joan L. Gardner
 (BOX)03 Thomas H. Garrett
04 John E. Runnells
o Vote FOR
the nomineeall nominees
(except as marked)
 (BOX)o Vote WITHHELD
from the nomineeall nominees

               
 
2. PROPOSAL TO RATIFY AND APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF GRANT THORNTON LLP AS INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS OF THE COMPANY FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2005.
(Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for any indicated nominee,
write the number(s) of the nominee(s) in the box provided to the right.)
2.
Proposal to amend the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended Bylaws to eliminate the classified Board structure. (BOX)oFor (BOX)oAgainst (BOX)o        Abstain
 
3.
Proposal to ratify and approve the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as independent certified public accountants of the Company for the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2006.o        Foro        AgainstoAbstain

3.
4. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTEDFOR EACH PROPOSAL.

Address Change? Mark Boxo (BOX)Dated:, 2005
Indicate changes below:  
Date 


Signature(s) in Box
Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear on Proxy. If held in joint tenancy, all persons must sign. Trustees, administrators, etc., should include title and authority. Corporations should provide full name of corporation and title of authorized officer signing the proxy.

Signature(s) in Box

Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear on Proxy. If held in joint tenancy, all persons must sign. Trustees, administrators, etc., should include title and authority. Corporations should provide full name of corporation and title of authorized officer signing the proxy.