UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

(RULE 14a-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

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LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION

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LOGO

37 West Broad Street

Columbus,




lanc-def14a_img001.jpg
380 Polaris Parkway, Suite 400
Westerville, Ohio 43215

43082


NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

To Be Held On November 17, 201415, 2017

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Lancaster Colony Corporation (the “Corporation”) will be held at 11:30 a.m.1:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on November 17, 2014,15, 2017, in the Edna Boies HopkinsLilac meeting room at the Hilton Columbus Downtown, 401 North High Street,at Easton, 3900 Chagrin Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43215.

43219.

The meeting will be held for the following purposes:

1.To elect three directors, each for a term that expires in 2017;2020;

2.To approve, by non-binding vote, the compensation of the Corporation’s named executive officers;

3.To recommend, by non-binding vote, the frequency of future non-binding votes on the compensation of the Corporation’s named executive officers;
4.To ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending June 30, 2015;2018; and

4.
5.To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the Annual Meeting.

By action of the Board of Directors, only persons who are holders of record of shares of the Corporation at the close of business on September 19, 201418, 2017 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.

If you do not expect to attend the Annual Meeting, please sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card, which is being solicited by the Corporation’s Board of Directors. A self-addressed envelope, which requires no postage, is enclosed for your convenience in returning the proxy. Its prompt return would be appreciated. Alternatively, internet voting is available, as described in the proxy voting instructions on your proxy card. The giving of the proxy will not affect your right to vote in person should you find it convenient to attend the Annual Meeting. If you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” by a broker, bank or other nominee, the broker, bank or nominee, as the record holder of the shares, should have enclosed a voting instruction card for you to use in directing it on how to vote your shares.

John B. Gerlach, Jr.

Executive Chairman of the Board

Chief Executive Officer

and President

October 10, 2014

11, 2017






LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION

37 West Broad Street

Columbus,

380 Polaris Parkway, Suite 400
Westerville, Ohio 43215

43082

PROXY STATEMENT

General Information

This Proxy Statement is furnished to the shareholders of Lancaster Colony Corporation (the “Corporation”) in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) of proxies to be used in voting at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held November 17, 2014,15, 2017, in the Edna Boies HopkinsLilac meeting room at theThe Hilton Columbus Downtown, 401 North High Street,at Easton, 3900 Chagrin Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43215,43219, at 11:30 a.m.1:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (the “Annual Meeting”). The enclosed proxy card, if completed and forwarded to the Corporation prior to the Annual Meeting, will be voted in accordance with the instructions contained therein. The proposals referred to on the enclosed proxy card are described in this Proxy Statement. This Proxy Statement and enclosed proxy card are first being mailed to shareholders on or about October 10, 2014.

11, 2017.

A proxy may be revoked by the person giving it any time before it is exercised. Such revocation, to be effective, must be communicated to the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Corporation prior to the Annual Meeting. The presence of a shareholder at the Annual Meeting will not revoke his or her proxy unless specific notice thereof is given to the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Corporation.

The Corporation will bear the cost of solicitation of proxies, including any charges and expenses of brokerage firms and others for forwarding solicitation material to the beneficial owners of the Corporation’s shares. Proxies may be solicited by personal interview, mail, telephone and electronic communications through the efforts of officers and regular employees of the Corporation.

The Board has fixed the close of business on September 19, 201418, 2017 as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive notice and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. At September 19, 2014,18, 2017, the Corporation had outstanding and entitled to vote 27,342,90727,442,591 shares of Common Stock, without par value (“Common Stock”), with each share of Common Stock entitling its holder to one vote. The Corporation has no other class of stock outstanding.

The presence, in person or by proxy, of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation is necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Proxies reflecting abstentions and broker non-votes are counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum. Broker non-votes occur when brokers, who hold their customers’ shares in street name, sign and submit proxies for those shares but fail to vote those shares on some matters.

If you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” by a broker, bank or other nominee, the broker, bank or nominee, as the record holder of the shares, should have enclosed a voting instruction card for you to use in directing it on how to vote your shares.

Voting Requirements

The following are the voting requirements for the items of business listed on the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders that are expected to be conducted at the Annual Meeting, along with an explanation of how broker non-votes and abstentions will be treated for purposes of each proposal:

1.Proposal One: The election of the director nominees requires the favorable vote of a plurality of all votes cast by the holders of the Common Stock at a meeting at which a quorum is present. Broker non-votes and proxies marked “Withhold” will not be counted toward the election of directors or toward the election of individual nominees specified in the form of proxy and, thus, will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. However, as set forth under “Corporate Governance – Majority Voting Policy in Uncontested Elections,” each director has agreed that if he or she receives more “Withheld” votes than “For” votes in an uncontested election such as this one, the director will tender his or her resignation for consideration by the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Board.

2.Proposal Two: The non-binding approval of the compensation of our named executive officers requires the favorable vote of a majority of all votes cast by the holders of the Common Stock at a meeting at which a quorum is present. Broker non-votes and abstentions will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal.

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3.Proposal Three: The non-binding shareholder recommendation on the frequency of future votes on the compensation of our named executive officers requires the favorable vote of a plurality of all votes cast by the holders of the Common Stock at a meeting at which a quorum is present. The frequency (every year, every two years or every three years) that receives a plurality of all votes cast by the holders of the Common Stock at a meeting at which a quorum is present will


be considered the frequency recommended by the shareholders. Broker non-votes and abstentions will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal.
4.Proposal Four: The ratification of the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending June 30, 20152018 also requires the favorable vote of a majority of all votes cast by the holders of the Common Stock at a meeting at which a quorum is present. Broker non-votes and abstentions will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal.

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PROPOSALONE

NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Board currently consists of nineten members and is divided into threetwo classes of three members each.and one class of four members. The members of the three classes are elected to serve for staggered terms of three years.

Except for Robert P. Ostryniec, each

Each of the nominees is a director standing for re-election. Mr. Edward H. Jennings has reached mandatory retirement age and is not standing for re-election. Mr. Ostryniec has been nominated by the Board to fill the vacancy that would otherwise be created by Mr. Jennings’s retirement. Mr. Ostryniec was selected by the Nominating and Governance Committee and nominated by the Board after an extensive search for a qualified candidate. The Nominating and Governance Committee fielded potential candidates from a variety of sources, including those suggested by other Board members, and engaged an independent third-party search firm to assist in identifying qualified candidates. Mr. Ostryniec was first identified and recommended by an independent third-party search firm. Mr. Ostryniec was selected as a nominee based upon his extensive business background and experience, especially with respect to supply chain and logistics expertise, his cultural fit with the Board, and his ability and willingness to serve as a director of the Corporation.

Each nominee has consented to stand for election for a term expiring at the Corporation’s 20172020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. In the event that any of the nominees becomes unavailable to serve as a director before the Annual Meeting, the Board will designate a new nominee and the persons named as proxies will vote for that substitute nominee.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the election of each of the nominees listed below by executing and returning the enclosed proxy card.

The following table sets forth for each nominee and each continuing director of the Corporation, such person’s name, age, the year in which he or she became a director of the Corporation, and his or her position with the Corporation:

Nominees for Term to Expire in 20172020

Name

  

Position with the Corporation

  Age   

Director
Since

Robert L. Fox

  Director of the Corporation   65    1991

John B. Gerlach, Jr.

  Director, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Corporation   60    1985

Robert P. Ostryniec

  Nominee   53    
Continuing Directors – Term to Expire in 2015    

Name

  

Position with the Corporation

  Age   

Director
Since

James B. Bachmann

  Director of the Corporation   71    2003

Neeli Bendapudi

  Director of the Corporation   51    2005

John L. Boylan

  Director of the Corporation   59    1998
Continuing Directors – Term to Expire in 2016    

Name

  

Position with the Corporation

  Age   

Director
Since

Kenneth L. Cooke

  Director of the Corporation   65    2010

Alan F. Harris

  Director of the Corporation   60    2008

Zuheir Sofia

  Director of the Corporation   70    1998

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Retiring Directors – Term to Expire in 2014    

Name

  

Position with the Corporation

  Age   

Director
Since

Edward H. Jennings

  Director of the Corporation   77    1990

Name Position with the Corporation Age Director Since
Robert L. Fox Director of the Corporation 68 1991
John B. Gerlach, Jr. Director and Executive Chairman of the Board 63 1985
Robert P. Ostryniec Director of the Corporation 56 2014
Continuing Directors – Term to Expire in 2018
Name Position with the Corporation Age Director Since
James B. Bachmann Director of the Corporation 74 2003
Neeli Bendapudi Director of the Corporation 54 2005
William H. Carter Director of the Corporation 64 2015
Continuing Directors – Term to Expire in 2019
Name Position with the Corporation Age Director Since
David A. Ciesinski Director, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Corporation 51 2017
Kenneth L. Cooke Director of the Corporation 68 2010
Alan F. Harris Director of the Corporation 63 2008
Zuheir Sofia Director of the Corporation 73 1998
The following information is provided for each director and each person nominated for election as a director, and includes their principal occupations during the past five years; their specific experiences, qualifications, attributes or skills that qualify them to serve as directors; and certain other information.

Robert L. Fox currently serves as an Account Executive at Sweney Cartwright & Co., a stock brokerage firm, and has held that position since November 2014. He previously served as a Financial Adviser for Wells Fargo Advisors, a stock brokerage firm, and has held that position sincefrom July 2008.2008 to November 2014. He also servesserved as Financial Adviser for A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc., a stock brokerage firm, from 2005 to July 2008; and Financial Adviser for Advest, Inc., a stock brokerage firm, from 1978 to 2005. Mr. Fox has over 30 years of experience in the securities industry analyzing and evaluating the financial, operational and managerial capabilities of public companies. This experience enables Mr. Fox to better view the Corporation from a shareholder’s perspective and contribute that perspective to the Board. As a member of the Board for over 20 years, Mr. Fox demonstrates an extensive knowledge of our business, our history and the markets we serve. Mr. Fox’s significant ownership interest in the Corporation assures that his interests are directly aligned with those of our shareholders.

John B. Gerlach, Jr. currently serves as Executive Chairman of the Board and has held that position since July 2017. He served as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Corporation and has held those positions since 1997.from 1997 until June 2017. Mr. Gerlach brings significant leadership and operational management experience to the Board. Mr. Gerlach has demonstrated strong executive leadership skills through over 30 years of executive officer service with the Corporation, including over 1720 years as CEO. Mr. Gerlach is the Corporation’s longest servinglongest-serving director. This experience, combined with his prior service on the board of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated and numerous nonprofit organizations, provide Mr. Gerlach with vast board level leadership capabilities. Perhaps most importantly, Mr. Gerlach’s significant ownership interest in the Corporation assuresensures that top leadership is directly aligned with the interestinterests of our shareholders.



Robert P. Ostryniec currently servesretired from full-time employment in March 2017. He served as Chief Product Supply Officer for Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. and has held that position since 2013.from 2013 until March 2017. He also served as Senior Vice President for H.J. Heinz Company from 2010 to 2013; and Global Supply Chain Officer of H.J. Heinz Company from 2003 to 2013. Mr. Ostryniec has over 2533 years of experience as an executive in manufacturing, purchasing, supply chain and logistics roles for publicly traded, consumer focused companies including General Electric Company, Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., H.J. Heinz Company and Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. The Board believes Mr. Ostryniec’s significant management experience, particularly in manufacturing, purchasing, supply chain and logistics, will enableenables him to provide valuable perspective and insight to the Board.

James B. Bachmann has been retired from full-time employment since 2003. He served as Managing Partner of the Columbus, Ohio office of Ernst & Young LLP, a registered independent public accounting firm, from 1992 to 2003. Mr. Bachmann’s significant public company accounting and financial experience has been immensely valuable to the Corporation and to the Audit Committee. He is also a director of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. and chair of its audit committee, providing additional experience overseeing the issues that face public companies operating in retail markets.

Neeli Bendapudi currently serves as Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor of the University of Kansas and has held that position since July 2016. She also served as Dean of the School of Business of the University of Kansas and has held that position sincefrom July 2011.2011 to July 2016. She also served as Professor/Associate Professor of Marketing at The Ohio State University from 1996 to 2007 and from October 2008 to July 2011; and Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer of Huntington National Bank from April 2007 until October 2008. Ms. Bendapudi’s extensive knowledge of marketing, brand strategies and consumer behavior provides considerable benefit in the Board’s oversight of our retail marketing strategies in the Specialty Foods segment.strategies. As an educator, Ms. Bendapudi adds to the diversity of experience the Corporation values in its leadership.

John L. Boylan

William H. Carter has been retired from full-time employment since August 2014.December 2015. He served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Hexion Inc. (formerly known as Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc.), an international specialty chemicals and materials company, from April 1995 to December 2015. In addition, he served as a director of Hexion Inc. from November 2001 to December 2015. Mr. Carter also served as Executive Vice President and Assistant SecretaryChief Financial Officer and a director of Momentive Performance Holdings LLC and its wholly-owned subsidiary Momentive Performance Materials Inc. from October 2010 until October 2014. Momentive Performance Materials Inc. voluntarily filed to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the CorporationU.S. Bankruptcy Code in April 2014 and emerged from 1996the Chapter 11 reorganization in October 2014. Prior to 2014;joining Hexion Inc., Mr. Carter was a partner with Price Waterhouse LLP, which he joined in 1975. He is also a director of M/I Homes, Inc. and Treasurerchair of its audit committee, providing additional experience overseeing the issues that face public companies.  He currently serves on the board of trustees of the Corporation from 1990 to 2014.James Cancer Foundation Board. Mr. Boylan served as an employee of the Corporation for 28 years.

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Mr. Boylan hasCarter’s extensive leadershipfinance and financial managementaccounting experience with the Corporation. Mr. Boylan provides the Board with valuable insight into a management’s perspective with respect toexpertise in numerous financial areas, including accounting, tax, treasury, capital markets and strategic planning.

David A. Ciesinski currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation’s operations. Mr. Boylan has been a directorCorporation. He served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation since April 2016 and as Chief Executive Officer since July 2017. Mr. Ciesinski previously served as President of the Meal Solutions Division at Kraft Foods Group, Inc., and as its Executive Vice President and President of Meals & Desserts from 2014 to 2015, in which capacity he was responsible for 16 years.

leading Kraft’s grocery business. Between 2013 and 2014, Mr. Ciesinski served as Chief Commercial Officer and Executive Vice President of Forever, Inc., a cloud based storage company, in which capacity he was responsible for leading the sales, marketing, business development and operations functions. From 2012 to 2013, Mr. Ciesinski served as the Vice President of Global Business Development at H.J. Heinz Company, in which capacity he was responsible for leading the corporate business development activities of H.J. Heinz Company. Between 2011 and 2012, Mr. Ciesinski served as Group Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of the U.S. Retail Division at H.J. Heinz Company, in which capacity he was responsible for leading Heinz’s marketing and demand generation functions of their U.S. consumer products business. Between 2003 and 2011, Mr. Ciesinski served in various other leadership roles at H.J. Heinz Company, including those in marketing and strategic planning functions. Prior to joining H.J. Heinz Company, Mr. Ciesinski was a consultant with Ernst & Young LLP. As a veteran of the packaged foods industry with a broad base of executive leadership positions, Mr. Ciesinski’s past experience provides a strong background to draw from in his role as the Corporation’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

Kenneth L. Cooke currently serves as the Executive Vicea Director and President and Chief Operating Officer of Intermedix Corporation, a leading provider of technology-enabled solutions for America’s healththe healthcare and safety netemergency preparedness and response industries. He has been the President since February 2015 and has held those positionsserved as a Director since March 2008. He also served as Executive Vice President from March 2008 to February 2015. He served as Global Chief Information Officer of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC)(“PwC”), a registered independent public accounting firm, from July 2001 to March 2008; and Partner, PwC from 1986 to March 2008. Mr. Cooke has over 30 years of experience in public accounting during which time he advised and was involved in the auditing of a variety of public and private corporations.accounting. At PwC, Mr. Cooke served in a variety of senior US and Global leadership positions specializing in tax, audit and other accounting and consulting services. Mr. Cooke also has significant experience in information technology and business process optimization as well as mergers and acquisitions and has worked with other food businesses. His current position provides


additional experience as an operations officer and director. The breadth and depth of Mr. Cooke’s experience enables Mr. Cooke to provide significant contributions to the Board.

Alan F. Harris has been retired fromfull-time employment since 2007. He served as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Customer Officer of Kellogg Company, a food products company, from 2003 to 2007; and Executive Vice President and President, Kellogg Company International Division from 2000 to 2003. With over 23 years of experience at Kellogg in a variety of positions, Mr. Harris possesses extensive domestic and international experience in the retail food industry, as well as considerable consumer marketing expertise. In addition, Mr. Harris embodies many other desirable qualities that contribute to the leadership of the Corporation, including strong general management breadth and experience and significant strategic acumen. Mr. Harris has made significant contributions to the Board in key areas of oversight, including strategic planning, risk assessment and product development.

Zuheir Sofia currently serves as Chairman, President & CEOand Chief Executive Officer of Business Bank of Florida, Corp., a bank holding company, and as Director of Florida Business Bank, a community bank, and has held those positions since April 2007. He also currently serves as Chairman of Sofia & Company, Inc., a financial advisory firm, and has held that position since 1998. Mr. Sofia served as President, Chief Operating Officer, Director and Treasurer of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated, a financialbank holding company, from 1984 to 1998 and also served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at The Ohio State University. Mr. Sofia’s extensive leadership experience with Huntington, Sofia & Company and Business Bank of Florida, Corp. has allowed him to bring to the Board his demonstrated management ability at the executive level. Mr. Sofia has significant experience in mergers and acquisitions, treasury, capital markets and asset asset/liability management. Mr. Sofia’s attributes also include financial, strategic planning, risk management and operationoperational expertise. The depth and knowledge of Mr. Sofia’s current and past service as a director of several public and private companies and as chairman and board member of several non-profit organizations provides an invaluable expertise and insight to the Board.

Edward H. Jennings has been retired fromfull-time employment since 2002; served as President Emeritus of The Ohio State University since 1990; Interim President of The Ohio State University from July 1, 2002 to September 30, 2002; and Professor of Finance at The Ohio State University from 1990 to 2002. As President of The Ohio State University for 9 years, Mr. Jennings was the chief executive of one of the nation’s largest universities. This experience has enabled Mr. Jennings to understand the operations and issues encountered in a large organization. Further, Mr. Jennings’ background as a Professor of Finance provides him expertise on the financial and business affairs of public companies. Mr. Jennings’s service as a director of Clean Coal Technologies Inc. gives him the ability to compare the way in which management and the board operate between the companies he serves.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The Board has standing Audit, Compensation, Nominating and Governance and Executive Committees. In addition, the Board has adopted a Corporate Governance Program that includes Corporate Governance Principles, a Code of Business Ethics and Standards of Conduct. The charters of the Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Governance Committees and the Corporate Governance Principles, Code of Business Ethics and Standards of Conduct are posted on the corporate governance page of the Corporation’s web site at www.lancastercolony.com.

http://www.lancastercolony.com/investors/corporate-governance/governance-documents/default.aspx.

Director Independence — The Board and the Nominating and Governance Committee have reviewed and evaluated transactions and relationships with Board members and Board nominees to determine the independence of each of the members or nominees. Except for Mr. Boylan, theThe Board does not believe that any of its nonemployee members or nominees have relationships with the Corporation that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out his or her responsibilities as a director. The Board and the Nominating and Governance Committee have determined that a majority of the Board’s members are “independent directors,” as that term is defined in the applicable Nasdaq Global Select Market (“Nasdaq”) listing standards. The Board has identified and determined that Ms. Bendapudi and Messrs. Bachmann, Carter, Cooke, Fox, Harris, Jennings,Ostryniec, and Sofia are independent directors, and that Mr. Ostryniec, if elected, will be an independent director. Mr. Boylan is not considered an independent director because he was employed by the Corporation through August 2014. Nasdaq listing standards provide that a director that was employed by the Corporation at any time during the last three years is not independent.directors.

Mr. Boylan recently retired from his position as Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Vice President and Assistant Secretary of the Corporation effective July 1, 2014. In accordance with the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Principles, Mr. Boylan also tendered his resignation as a member of the Board of Directors. After consideration, the Nominating and Governance Committee determined that it was in the best interests of the Corporation for Mr. Boylan to continue to serve as a director.

Board Attendance — Each member of the Board is expected to make a reasonable effort to attend all meetings of the Board, all applicable committee meetings, and each annual meeting of shareholders. All members of the Board attended the 20132016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and each of the current members of the Board is expected to attend the 20142017 Annual Meeting. The Board held a total of seven meetings during fiscal 2014.2017. Each director, except Ms. Bendapudi, attended at least 75% of the aggregate meetings of the Board and the committees on which theyhe or she served duringin fiscal 2014.2017.

Board Leadership Structure — Mr. John B. Gerlach, Jr., currently serves as the Executive Chairman of the Board. Mr. David A. Ciesinski currently serves as the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), currently serves as the Corporation’s Chairman of the Board.. The Board believes that the Corporation and its shareholders are best served by retaining the Board’s flexibility to allocate the responsibilities of Executive Chairman of the Board and CEO in any way that is in the best interests of the Corporation at any future point in time. Adopting a policy that restricts the Board’s discretion in selecting the Chairman of the Board (as well as restricting the ability to combine the positions of Chairman and CEO) would deprive the Board of the ability to select the most qualified and appropriate individual to lead the Board as Chairman.

In November 2007, the Board amended its

The Corporation’s Corporate Governance Principles to provide thatrequire the Corporation shallto have a Lead Independent Director at any time during which the positions of Chairman of the Board and CEO are held by the same person. At that time,person and also permit the appointment of a Lead Independent Director at any other time. Mr. James B. Bachmann was appointed Lead Independent Director in 2007, and he continues to serve as Lead Independent Director. Under the amended Corporate Governance Principles, the Lead Independent Director:

Works closely with the Chairman to approve the information presented to the Board and set and approve meeting agendas and meeting schedules;

Chairs meetings of the Board in the absence of the Chairman;



Oversees meetings of the independent directors, including executive sessions of the nonemployee directors;

Serves as the principal liaison between the independent directors and the Chairman;

Takes a leading role in the Board evaluation process; and

Has the authority to call meetings of the independent directors from time to time.

Mr. Gerlach, in his capacitiescapacity as Executive Chairman, and CEO, serves as a bridge between the Board and management and provides critical leadership for carrying out the Corporation’s strategic initiatives and confronting its

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challenges. In short, the Board believes that aan Executive Chairman who is a member of the management team and a significant shareholder is well situated to oversee and executeassess the Corporation’s strategy and business plans to maximize shareholder value. The Board believes that Board independence and oversight of management are effectively maintained through the Board’s current composition, committee system and the position of Lead Independent Director.

Board Role in Risk Oversight — The Board, together with the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee, are primarily responsible for overseeing the Corporation’s risk management. Management of the Corporation has formed an Enterprise Risk Management Committee (“ERM Committee”) consisting of the Chief Financial Officer,CEO, CFO, Senior Vice President of Operations, Director of Internal Audit, General Counsel, and Director of Risk Management and Employee Benefits.Benefits and Manager of Corporate Insurance. The primary responsibility of the ERM Committee is to promote the development of sound policies, procedures and practices for managing the Corporation’s material risks and to report the results of the ERM Committee’s activities to the Audit Committee. The ERM Committee provides the Audit Committee with reports on a periodic basis, and the full Board is provided an overview of key risks from various members of senior management. In addition, the Compensation Committee oversees risk requiring its expertise, such as those related to incentive compensation programs and policies.

Although the Board and its committees oversee risk management for the Corporation, management is responsible for the day-to-day management and mitigation of the Corporation’s risks. We believe this division of responsibility reflects the appropriate roles of the Board and management in assessing and managing risks and has no effect on the Board’s leadership structure.

Director Qualifications — The Nominating and Governance Committee will look for candidates who possess qualifications that meet our strategic needs; possess the highest personal and professional ethics, integrity and values; have an understanding of our business; have diverse experiences in key business, financial and other challenges that are faced by publicly held corporations with a consumer focus; and represent the long-term interest of our shareholders. In particular, the Nominating and Governance Committee will look for candidates with special and diverse experience in areas such as management of public companies or other large organizations; consumer packaged goods, particularly retail food companies; investment banking or the banking industry; accounting and finance; technology; supply chain; and retail/mass marketing experience. We expect our directors to represent all shareholders rather than special interest groups or any group of shareholders.

Corporate Governance Principles — The Board, on the recommendation of the Nominating and Governance Committee, adopted a set of Corporate Governance Principles in 2005. These Corporate Governance Principles were amended in 2007, 2012, 2016 and 2017. The Corporate Governance Principles relate to the role, composition, structure and functions of the Board. The Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for periodically reviewing these Corporate Governance Principles and recommending any changes to the Board.

Majority Voting Policy in Uncontested Elections — The Board, on the recommendation of the Nominating and Governance Committee, adopted a policy in 2016 stating that in an uncontested election of directors (i.e. an election where the number of nominees does not exceed the number of directors to be elected), a nominee who receives more “Withheld” votes than “For” votes in such election is expected to promptly tender his or her resignation as a director. The Nominating and Governance Committee shall consider each tendered director resignation and recommend to the Board whether to accept or reject it. After considering the recommendation of the Nominating and Governance Committee and any other information the Board deems appropriate, and within 90 days following the certification of the election results, the Board will act to accept or reject each tendered director resignation and promptly disclose its decision.
If a director’s resignation is rejected, the Board will disclose the reasons for its decision and the director will continue to serve the remainder of his or her term until his or her successor is duly elected or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. If a director’s resignation is accepted, the Board, in its sole discretion, may fill any resulting vacancy or decrease the size of the Board, in each case to the extent permitted by the Corporation’s Amended and Restated Code of Regulations.
Any director who tenders a resignation under this policy may not participate in the Nominating and Governance Committee recommendation or the action of the Board regarding whether to accept or reject such tender of resignation.
Code of Business Ethics and Standards of Conduct — The Corporation has adopted a Code of Business Ethics and Standards of Conduct that inform the Corporation’s directors and employees of their legal and ethical obligations to the Corporation and set a high standard of business conduct. The Code of Business Ethics and Standards of Conduct apply to all employees and,


where applicable, to directors of the Corporation. The Corporation intends to satisfy the disclosure requirement under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding any amendment to, or waiver from, any provision (including the standards listed under Item 406(b) of Regulation S-K) of the Code of Business Ethics that applies to the Corporation’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions by posting such information on the Corporation’s website at http://www.lancastercolony.com/governance-documents.

investors/corporate-governance/default.aspx.

Shareholder Communication with the Board — Any of the directors may be contacted by writing to them at: Board of Directors, c/o Corporate Secretary’s Office, Lancaster Colony Corporation, 37 West Broad Street, Columbus,380 Polaris Parkway, Suite 400, Westerville, Ohio 43215.43082. The directors have requested that the Secretary of the Corporation act as their agent in processing any communicationscommunication received. All communications that relate to matters that are within the scope of responsibilities of the Board and its committees will be forwarded to the Board of Directors. Communications relating to matters within the responsibility of one of the committees of the Board will be forwarded to the Chairperson of the appropriate committee. Communications relating to ordinary business matters are not within the scope of the Board’s responsibility and will be forwarded to the appropriate officer at the Corporation. Solicitations, advertising materials and frivolous or inappropriate communications will not be forwarded.

8



BOARD COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS

Audit Committee — The Board has established an audit committee (the “Audit Committee”) that currently consists of Messrs. Bachmann, Carter, Cooke, Harris, and Jennings.Ostryniec. Mr. Bachmann serves as Chairperson of the Audit Committee. The Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee meets Nasdaq independence requirements and that Mr.Messrs. Bachmann, the Chairperson of the Audit Committee,Carter and Mr. Cooke a member of the Audit Committee, are “audit committee financial experts,” as defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K. With respect to its assessment of whether Messrs. Bachmann, Carter and Cooke are “audit committee financial experts,” the Board considered, among other things, Messrs. Bachmann and Cooke’stheir business experience and background described previously within this Proxy Statement. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to a charter that was approved by the Board in 2004 and amended in 2007 and 2010. The duties of the Audit Committee include the responsibility of reviewing financial information (both external and internal) about the Corporation and its subsidiaries so as to assure (i) that the overall audit coverage of the Corporation and its subsidiaries is satisfactory and appropriate to protect the shareholders from undue risks and (ii) that an adequate system of internal financial control has been designed and implemented throughout the Corporation and is being effectively maintained. Additionally, the Audit Committee has sole authority and direct responsibility with respect to the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm, or independent auditor. Also, as part of its duties, the Audit Committee has adopted procedures for receiving and acting on complaints received by the Corporation regarding accounting, internal controls and auditing issues. Such complaints should be sent to the attention of the Corporate Secretary’s Office, Lancaster Colony Corporation, 37 West Broad Street, Columbus,380 Polaris Parkway, Suite 400, Westerville, Ohio 43215.43082. The Audit Committee annually reviews the Audit Committee charter and annually evaluates the Audit Committee’s performance. The Audit Committee held four meetings during fiscal 2014.2017.

Compensation Committee — The Board has established a compensation committee (the “Compensation Committee”) that currently consists of Ms. Bendapudi and Messrs. Cooke, Fox, Jennings and Sofia and Ms. Bendapudi.Sofia. Mr. JenningsSofia serves as Chairperson of the Compensation Committee. It has been determined by the Board that each member of the Compensation Committee meets Nasdaq independence requirements. The Compensation Committee operates pursuant to a charter that was approved by the Board in 2004 and amended in 2008, 2010, 2013 and 2013.2016. The duties of the Compensation Committee include: annually determining the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, President and other key executives and reviewing and approving goals and objectives relevant to histheir activities; reviewing and approving the Chief Executive Officer’s recommendations as to the compensation to be paid other executive officers of the Corporation; reviewing and approving offers to potential executive officers to join the Corporation; reviewing and approving perquisite policies; reviewing and approving employment agreements, severance or retention plans or agreements and severance or termination payments; retaining and overseeing compensation consultants and other advisors; overseeing regulatory compliance regarding compensation matters; establishing and evaluating performance goals and the level of achievement of such goals; reviewing and offering advice regarding direct compensation, equity-based compensation and retirement pay programs; administering equity-based compensation plans and approving equity awards; reporting activities to the Board; reviewing and discussing the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with the Corporation’s management; determining whether to recommend to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Proxy Statement; preparing a Compensation Committee Report for inclusion in the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Proxy Statement; periodically reviewing director compensation in relation to other comparable companies and in light of other facts the Compensation Committee finds appropriate; annually reviewing the Compensation Committee charter; and annually evaluating the Compensation Committee’s performance. The charter does not provide the Compensation Committee with any delegation authority regarding its duties, except for the ability to delegate authority to approve equity awards to a subcommittee of the Compensation Committee. See the discussion below under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Compensation of Directors” for more information about the Compensation Committee’s processes and procedures. The Compensation Committee held four meetings during fiscal 2014.2017.



Nominating and Governance Committee — The Board has established a nominating and governance committee (the “Nominating and Governance Committee”) that currently consists of Ms. Bendapudi and Messrs. Fox, Harris and Sofia and Ms. Bendapudi.Sofia. Mr. SofiaFox serves as Chairperson of the Nominating and Governance Committee. It has been determined by the Board that each member of the Nominating and Governance Committee meets Nasdaq independence requirements. The Nominating and Governance Committee operates pursuant to a charter that was

9


approved by the Board in 2004 and amended in 2005, 2010 and 2012. The duties of the Nominating and Governance Committee include identification and nominations to the Board of candidates for election as directors of the Corporation and the development and review of a set of Corporate Governance Principles. As part of its assigned duties, the Nominating and Governance Committee has reviewed the Corporate Governance Principles and found them to be acceptable in scope and application and has so reported to the Board. The Nominating and Governance Committee held three meetings during fiscal 2014.

2017.

The Nominating and Governance Committee uses different sources to identify Board candidates, including the Corporation’s executive officers and current members of the Board. The Nominating and Governance Committee also considers the nomination of director candidates recommended by shareholders in conformance with the tests and standards outlined in the Nominating and Governance Committee’s charter and the Corporation’s Amended and Restated Code of Regulations. The Nominating and Governance Committee uses the same manner and process for evaluating every candidate for Board membership, regardless of the original source of the candidate’s nomination. The Nominating and Governance Committee generally considers the subject of diversity as described above under “Corporate Governance – Director Qualifications.” Recommendations to the Nominating and Governance Committee from shareholders regarding candidates must be delivered to the Corporation’s Corporate Secretary no later than June 30 of the year in which such shareholder proposes that the recommended candidate stand for election. Section 2.03 of the Corporation’s Code of Regulations authorizes director nominations to be made by shareholders if the conditions specified therein are met, including the giving of advance notice and the furnishing of certain personal background information and a written statement from the proposed candidate agreeing to be identified in the Proxy Statement as a nominee and, if elected, to serve as a director. The Nominating and Governance Committee currently has not set specific, minimum qualifications or criteria for nominees that it proposes for Board membership, but evaluates the entirety of each candidate’s credentials. The Nominating and Governance Committee believes, however, that the Corporation will be best served if its directors bring to the Board a variety of experience and backgrounds and, among other things, demonstrated integrity, executive leadership and financial, marketing, technology, supply chain or business knowledge and experience.

Executive Committee — The Board has established an executive committee (the “Executive Committee”) that currently consists of Messrs. Gerlach, Fox and Bachmann. No particular director serves as Chairperson of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee operates pursuant to resolutions that were adopted by the Board in February 2008. The Executive Committee exercises the power and authority of the Board in managing the business and affairs of the Corporation (other than any power or authority specifically precluded by applicable law, the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation or Amended and Restated Code of Regulations, or by limiting resolutions of the Board), but the Executive Committee acts only in the intervals between meetings of the Board. Furthermore, all acts of the Executive Committee must be reported at the next Board meeting. The Executive Committee did not meetmet three times during fiscal 2014.2017.


SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

To the Corporation’s knowledge, based solely on its review of copies of forms filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), all filing requirements applicable to the officers, directors and beneficial owners of more than 10% of the outstanding Common Stock under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, were complied with during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014, except that (i) the John B. Gerlach Marital Deduction Trust A-1, a beneficial owner of more than 10% of the Corporation’s Common Stock, filed one untimely report on Form 3 on September 30, 2014; and (ii) John B. Gerlach, Jr., the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Corporation, filed an amendment to Form 5 on September 30, 2014 to reflect his beneficial ownership, as trustee, of the shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock held by the John B. Gerlach Marital Deduction Trust A-1 and Lehr’s, Inc. These filings were required to correct inadvertent oversights of these reporting persons.

10


2017.




SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

The following shareholders have beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, of more than five percent of the outstanding Common Stock as of September 19, 2014:

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

 Nature of
Beneficial Ownership
  Amount of
Beneficial Ownership
  Percent
of  Class(1)
 

John B. Gerlach, Jr.(2)

c/o Lancaster Colony Corporation

37 West Broad Street

Columbus, Ohio 43215

  Direct and indirect    8,223,468    30.1

Dareth A. Gerlach(3)

c/o Lancaster Colony Corporation

37 West Broad Street

Columbus, Ohio 43215

  Direct and indirect    5,915,827    21.6

John B. Gerlach Marital Deduction Trust A-1(2)

c/o Lancaster Colony Corporation

37 West Broad Street

Columbus, Ohio 43215

  Direct    5,737,602    21.0

The Vanguard Group(4)

100 Vanguard Blvd.

Malvern, PA 19355

  Direct and indirect    1,537,760    5.6

BlackRock, Inc.(5)

40 East 52nd Street

New York, NY 10022

  Direct and indirect    1,526,685    5.6

Neuberger Berman Group LLC(6)

605 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10158

  Direct and indirect    1,376,390    5.0

18, 2017:
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner 
Nature of
Beneficial Ownership
 
Amount of
Beneficial Ownership
 
Percent
of Class(1)
John B. Gerlach, Jr.(2)
 Direct and indirect 8,223,825 30.0%
c/o Lancaster Colony Corporation
380 Polaris Parkway, Suite 400
Westerville, Ohio 43082
      
Dareth A. Gerlach(3)
 Direct and indirect 5,919,903 21.6%
c/o Lancaster Colony Corporation
380 Polaris Parkway, Suite 400
Westerville, Ohio 43082
      
John B. Gerlach Marital Deduction Trust A-1(2)
 Direct 5,737,602 20.9%
c/o Lancaster Colony Corporation
380 Polaris Parkway, Suite 400
Westerville, Ohio 43082
      
BlackRock, Inc.(4)
 Direct and indirect 1,933,601 7.0%
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055
      
The Vanguard Group(5)
 Direct and indirect 1,756,608 6.4%
100 Vanguard Blvd.
Malvern, PA 19355
      
State Street Corporation(6)
 Direct and indirect 1,390,893 5.1%
State Street Financial Center
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
      
___________
(1)PercentagesAside from Mr. Gerlach, percentages based upon 27,342,90727,442,591 shares outstanding as of September 19, 2014.18, 2017. Percentage for Mr. Gerlach is based on 27,448,151 shares, which includes 5,560 shares available from vested stock appreciation rights, assuming exercise on September 18, 2017.

(2)Mr. Gerlach beneficially owns 8,223,4688,223,825 shares in the aggregate. This includes: (i) 283,397268,397 shares held by Mr. Gerlach’s spouse either directly or as trustee for which Mr. Gerlach’s spouse has the sole power to vote and dispose of these shares. Mr. Gerlach disclaims beneficial ownership of all of these shares; (ii) 5,737,602 shares held by the John B. Gerlach Marital Deduction Trust A-1, of which Mr. Gerlach is trustee with no power to vote or dispose of the shares, and of which Mr. Gerlach’s mother, Dareth A. Gerlach, is the special trustee with the sole power to vote and dispose of the shares. Mr. Gerlach disclaims beneficial ownership of all of these shares; (iii) 137,430 shares held by the John B. Gerlach Taxable Trust U/A, of which Mr. Gerlach is trustee with no power to vote or dispose of the shares, and of which Mr. Gerlach’s mother, Dareth A. Gerlach, is the special trustee with the sole power to vote and dispose of the shares. Mr. Gerlach disclaims beneficial ownership of all of these shares; (iv) 372,200 shares held by Mr. Gerlach as trustee or custodian for which he has the sole power to vote and dispose of the shares. Mr. Gerlach disclaims beneficial ownership of all of these shares; (v) 360,500 shares held by a family limited partnership and general partnership, of which Mr. Gerlach is a shareholder and an officer of each. Mr. Gerlach has shared power to vote and dispose of all of these shares and disclaims beneficial ownership of 351,461 of these shares; (vi) 305,326 shares held by the Gerlach Foundation Inc., a private charitable foundation for which Mr. Gerlach shares the power to vote and dispose of the shares. Mr. Gerlach disclaims beneficial ownership of all of these shares; (vii) 140,899132,160 shares held by Lancaster Lens Inc., a private charitable foundation for which Mr. Gerlach shares the power to vote and dispose of the shares. Mr. Gerlach disclaims beneficial ownership of all of these shares; and (viii) 620,122 shares held by Lehrs, Inc., a for profit corporation that is owned by the Fox Foundation, Inc., Gerlach Foundation, Inc. and The FG Foundation. Mr. Gerlach and Mr. Fox serve as trustees of theThe FG Foundation, which is a supporting foundation of a public charitable foundation. Mr. Gerlach and Mr. Fox each have shared power to vote and dispose of the shares held by Lehrs, Inc., and each disclaims beneficial ownership of all of those shares.

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(3)Includes 5,737,602 shares held by the John B. Gerlach Marital Deduction Trust A-1 and 137,430 shares held by the John B. Gerlach Taxable Trust U/A. Mr. Gerlach is trustee of these trusts with no power to vote or dispose of the shares, and Mr. Gerlach’s mother, Dareth A. Gerlach, is the special trustee with the sole power to vote and dispose of the shares. These shares are also included in the total number of shares held by Mr. Gerlach in the above table. Mr. Gerlach disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares, all of which are also reported in footnote 2.

  (4)The Vanguard Group filed a Schedule 13G with the SEC on September 23, 2014 indicating that, as of December 31, 2013: The Vanguard Group has sole voting power with respect to 26,840 shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 1,512,520 shares, and shared dispositive power with respect to 25,240 shares.

  (5)(4)BlackRock, Inc. filed a Schedule 13G/A with the SEC on January 29, 201425, 2017 indicating that, as of December 31, 2013,2016, BlackRock, Inc. has sole voting power with respect to 1,466,4141,888,278 shares and sole dispositive power with respect to 1,526,6851,933,601 shares.



  (6)Neuberger Berman
(5)The Vanguard Group LLC, et al. filed a Schedule 13G/A with the SEC on February 12, 201410, 2017 indicating that, as of December 31, 2013: (A) Neuberger Berman2016, The Vanguard Group LLC had sharedhas sole voting power with respect to 1,373,79037,443 shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 1,717,344 shares, and shared dispositive power with respect to 1,376,390 shares; (B) Neuberger Berman LLC39,264 shares.
(6)State Street Corporation filed a Schedule 13G with the SEC on February 7, 2017 indicating that, as of December 31, 2016, State Street Corporation has shared voting power with respect to 1,373,790 shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 1,376,390 shares; (C) Neuberger Berman Management LLC has shared voting power and shared dispositive power with respect to 1,254,056 shares; and (D) Neuberger Berman Equity Funds has shared dispositive power and shared voting power with respect to 1,117,7561,390,893 shares.


The following information indicates the beneficial ownership of outstanding Common Stock as of September 19, 201418, 2017 by all executive officers and directors of the Corporation as a group, each individual director, each individual director nominee, and each named executive officer named in the 20142017 Summary Compensation Table:

Name of Beneficial Owner

 
Amount and Nature
of
Beneficial Ownership
 
Percent of Class(1)

James B. Bachmann

 8,71510,971 shares
 *

Neeli Bendapudi

 7,4409,696 shares
 *

John L. Boylan

William H. Carter
 28,6211,396 shares
 *

Kenneth L. Cooke

David A. Ciesinski
 6,5107,308 shares
(4)
 *

Kenneth L. Cooke

8,766 shares
*
Douglas A. Fell11,554 shares
(4)
*
Robert L. Fox

 1,062,157 shares1,059,901  shares
(2)
 3.9%

John B. Gerlach, Jr.

 8,223,825 shares8,223,468  shares
(3)(4)
 30.130.0%

Alan F. Harris

 16,241 shares
(5)
13,985 shares(4) *

Edward H. Jennings

Robert P. Ostryniec
 9,0142,756 shares
 *

Robert P. Ostryniec

Zuheir Sofia
 010,276 shares
 *

Bruce L. Rosa

78,634 shares(5)*

Zuheir Sofia

10,227 shares*

All executive officers and directors as a group (11 persons)

 8,744,824 shares8,831,552 shares
(6)
 32.331.9%

___________
* Less than 1%

  *Less than 1%

(1)PercentagesAside from Messrs. Gerlach, Ciesinski and Fell, individual percentages based upon 27,342,90727,442,591 shares outstanding as of September 19, 2014.18, 2017. Percentages for Messrs. Gerlach, Ciesinski and Fell are based on 27,448,151 shares, 27,443,486 shares and 27,444,591 shares, respectively, which include the individual amounts noted in (4) below. Percentages for the group are based on 27,451,046 shares, which include the total amount noted in (4) below.

(2)Mr. Fox beneficially owns 1,059,9011,062,157 shares in the aggregate. This includes: (i) 53,273 shares held directly by Mr. Fox’s spouse. Mr. Fox disclaims beneficial ownership of all of these shares; (ii) 86,997 shares held by Mr. Fox as trustee for which he has the sole power to vote and dispose of the shares. Mr. Fox disclaims beneficial ownership of 78,398 of these shares; (iii) 57,530 shares held by the Fox Foundation Inc., a private charitable foundation for which Mr. Fox shares the power to vote and dispose of the shares. Mr. Fox disclaims beneficial ownership of all of these shares; and (iv) 620,122 shares held by Lehrs, Inc., a for profit corporation that is owned by the Fox Foundation, Inc., Gerlach Foundation, Inc. and The FG Foundation. Mr. GerlachFox and Mr. FoxGerlach serve as trustees of theThe FG Foundation, which is a supporting foundation of a public charitable foundation. Mr. GerlachFox and Mr. FoxGerlach each have shared power to vote and dispose of the shares held by Lehrs, Inc., and each disclaims beneficial ownership of all of those shares.

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(3)See the footnote for Mr. Gerlach in the beneficial ownership table listed previously within this Proxy Statement.

(4)Includes 5,560; 895 and 2,000 shares available from vested stock appreciation rights for Messrs. Gerlach, Ciesinski and Fell, respectively, assuming exercise on September 18, 2017.
(5)Includes 13,156 shares held as trustee for which Mr. Harris has the sole power to vote and dispose of these shares.

  (5)Includes 51,608 shares held as trustee for which Mr. Rosa has the sole power to vote and dispose of these shares.

(6)For purposes of this calculation, the 620,122 shares held by Lehrs, Inc. have only been counted once.

13



COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

In this section, we discuss the principles underlying our executive compensation policies and decisions and the most important factors relevant to an analysis of these policies and decisions. We provide qualitative information regarding the manner and context in which compensation is awarded to and earned by our named executive officers to give perspective to the data we present in the compensation tables below, as well as the narratives that follow the tables.

Executive Summary

During 2014,2017, we continued oura food-focused strategy that we believe will best enhanceincrease long-term shareholder value. The strategy involved growingcontinuing to grow our existing specialty food businesses while divestingorganically and expand our glasswarebusiness through strategic acquisitions, such as the acquisition of Angelic Bakehouse, Inc. (“Angelic”) in November 2016. Angelic is a manufacturer and candles business,


marketer of premium sprouted grain bakery products located near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We continue to evaluate additional acquisition opportunities that match our last nonfood business.

existing food-focused operations and anticipate growth from potential future acquisitions.

During fiscal 2014,2017, we achieved the following financial outcomes forfrom continuing operations:

Overall sales increased 1% to $1.2 billion. Our retail net sales increased with growth from continuing operations increased 2.7% to $1.04 billion.

certain product lines and the incremental contribution from our acquisition of Angelic. Our foodservice sales declined as influenced by our targeted customer rationalization efforts that began in the third quarter of 2016 and deflationary pricing.

Operating income from continuing operations was essentially unchanged (down 0.1%),decreased 5% as the benefitsimpacted by higher retail trade spending, deflationary pricing and higher selling, general and administrative costs. Offsetting these negative factors were lower raw-material costs and a more favorable sales mix. In addition, we incurred a one-time charge of higher sales and lower material costs were offset by the impact of increased marketing and promotional costs (including those associated with the introduction of several new products) and the influence of some operating inefficiencies$17.6 million in the transitionthird quarter related to expanded dressing production capacity.

Value-added income, determined by subtracting a pre-tax capitalour withdrawal from an underfunded multiemployer pension plan. Excluding this charge, fromour operating income andincreased $7.7 million, or 4.2%, to $192.3 million.

After making the adjustments noted below, value-added income, a key factor in our annual incentive plans, increased 6.3%by 8% at both the corporate level and was flat in the Specialty Food business.

Foods segment.

The increase2017 incentive calculation excludes the impact of the $17.6 million one-time multiemployer pension charge. In addition, the financial impact of Angelic, including its sales, operating income and net assets, was excluded from the 2017 incentive calculation because that business was acquired during the course of the year and was therefore not considered in the development of the 2017 incentive plan.

The value-added income at the corporate level was primarily drivenincreased because of higher 2017 adjusted operating income, partially offset by a significant reductionslight increase in assets considered in determining the capital charge. Such assets decreased because of the divestiture of our glassware and candles business in January 2014, which was a key objective in our ongoing strategic planning.average net asset level. The divestiture resulted in higher value-added income as the operating income from continuing operations was on par with the prior year level, despite the lower asset base. As a result, value-added income on which annual incentives are basedincentive for Mr. Boylan,Fell, our CFO, was higher in 2014.

is based on this value-added income.

Value-added income in the Specialty Food business was virtually identicalFoods segment also increased as compared to 2013 and sales growth was relatively better versus pre-determined targets. Both of these factors impact2016, which impacted the annual incentive payout for Mr. Rosa,Ciesinski, our CEO as of July 1, 2017, and the President of our Specialty Food business.

Income from continuing operationsthe Corporation and its T. Marzetti Company subsidiary during fiscal 2017.

Net income from continuing operationsand net income per common share (fully diluted) declineddecreased by 2.8%5.3% and 2.6%5.4%, respectively, asprimarily impacted by the current year’s effective tax rate of 34.1% was higher than the prior year rate of 32.5%. The fiscal 2013 rate was favorably influenced by an increased deduction for dividends paid to the Corporation’s frozen ESOP due to the $5.00 per share special dividend paid in December 2012 and the release of reserves associated with uncertain tax positions.

pension charge discussed above.

Return on beginning shareholders’ equity was 20.1%22.5%.

Our financial strength remained strong with a year-end cash balance of $211.5$143.1 million and no debt.

As influenced by these financial outcomes, our

Our ongoing shareholders experienced a negative total shareholder return of 24.5%(2.3%) during fiscal 2014, reflecting2017. Shareholder returns are inclusive of $59.0 million in dividends, which represented a combinationyear-end dividend rate of share price gains and reinvested$2.15 per share. Three-year total shareholder return was 42.1%, including dividends.

Based primarily on the financial performance results noted above, we provided the following pay outcomes to our named executive officers (Messrs. Gerlach, BoylanCiesinski and Rosa)Fell) for fiscal 2014:

2017:

We provided salarySalary increases of 1.7% during 2014.

5% to Messrs. Gerlach and Fell made at the beginning of 2017. Mr. Ciesinski joined the Corporation in April 2016 and was not a named executive officer in the 2015 fiscal year.

Annual incentive payouts increasedfor 2017 were as follows versus those provided in the aggregate by 10.5% (figures are the combination of the Bonus and Non-Equity Incentive Compensation columns from our 2014 Summary Compensation Table). Most

2016:

14


of the increase to annual incentive payouts came in the form of an increased incentive for Mr. Gerlach, which is at the discretion of the Compensation Committee and which resulted in a payment to Mr. Gerlach which was well below market median norms. Annual incentives for Messrs. Boylan and Rosa increased 1.3% and 2.1%, respectively.

The aggregate value of equity incentive grants madeSimilar to Messrs. Boylan and Rosa increased by 28.5% (figures are the combination of the Stock Awards and Option Awards column from our 2014 Summary Compensation Table) and resulted in equity incentives below market median norms.2016, Mr. Gerlach did not receive an annual incentive payout for 2017 based on the discretionary judgment of the Compensation Committee.

Mr. Ciesinski’s annual incentive payout for 2017 of $445,480 was based on the value-added income and the sales growth achieved by the Specialty Foods segment. As noted, 2017 was Mr. Ciesinski’s first full fiscal year with the Corporation and his 2017 annual incentive payment is a substantial increase over his $110,800 in incentive payments for 2016, which was based on his partial-year employment and the judgment of the Compensation Committee.
Mr. Fell’s annual incentive payout increased in 2017 by 3.0% on higher corporate value-added income offset by a decrease in the discretionary portion of his payout.
The value of equity grants.

grants in 2017 varied among the named executive officer group, but were generally reflective of outstanding long-term financial and shareholder performance and were as follows:

Mr. Gerlach received an equity grant with a total value of $600,014 in 2017, an increase of 20% over 2016.



Mr. Ciesinski received equity grants with a value of $1,249,992, an increase of 25% over 2016, part of which was made in connection with his appointment as Chief Executive Officer on July 1, 2017.
Mr. Fell received an equity grant with a value of $275,046, an increase of 10% over 2016.
Total direct compensation (salary, cash incentive payments and equity grants) for Messrs. Gerlach, Ciesinski and Fell increased 10.0%, 90.8% and 5.7%, respectively in 2017 as compared to 2016. The significant annual increase for Mr. Ciesinski is a function of his first full year of employment in 2017 as it reflects a full-year salary and a full-year annual incentive payout for the three named executives increased by 7.1% in the aggregate.

first time.

In addition, the named executive officers each have significant equity positions and shared in the overall gainstotal shareholder return experienced by shareholders in fiscal 2014.2017. Our Compensation Committee believes the above pay outcomes were appropriate in the context of the financial and shareholder return performances described above.

Executive Compensation Program Philosophy and Objectives

Our

The primary objective of our key executive compensation objective has beenprogram is to reward our named executive officers (identified in our 2014 Summary Compensation Table) for their efforts in helping to achievein:
attaining market or above-market financial results, particularly within our Specialty Foods operations, and for helping to meetresults;
achieving our strategic goalsgoals; and increase
increasing long-term shareholder value.
As a result, our basic executive compensation philosophy remainsis focused on “pay for performance.”

For us, a “pay for performance” philosophy means providing competitive compensation outcomes when performance meets our expectations, but also realizing that results above or below our expectations may result in above-market or below-market compensation outcomes. To further this philosophy, we have designed our executive compensation program to achieve the following objectives:

motivatemotivation of our named executive officers to help achieve superior financial and operational performance;

continue to aligncontinued alignment of our named executive officers’ compensation interests with our goal of creating long-term shareholder value; and

attractattraction and retainretention of key executive talent.

We believe our executive compensation program should promote long-term shareholder value and should not be overly influenced by the short-term performance of our stock. OurWe further believe our named executive officers are focused on promoting long-term shareholder value because they are significant shareholders of our Common Stock. OurIn our experience, however, has been that salary, annual cash incentive awards and long-term equity-based awards, as the primary elements of our executive compensation program, are the best vehicles to align our executives’ interests with our goal of promoting long-term shareholder value. We also understand that our executive compensation programs provide a starting point, or baseline of comparison, for the compensation we pay to our other employees. For this reason, we believe our executive compensation program should strike an appropriate balance among rewards, incentives and expectations.

While these broad concepts generally govern our executive compensation program, we also take into account specific factors particular to each executive officer when making individual compensation decisions, which we describe in detail below. These factors include the executive’s range of responsibilities and related performance measures and other individual factors affecting each executive’s performance. We also engage in a general“double-check” “double-check” of our executive compensation levels against amounts paid to executive officers with similar responsibilities in similarly situated companies, but we do not specifically benchmark compensation against percentiles or ranges of compensation provided by such companies.

At our 20132016 Annual Meeting, our executive compensation program received approval from 99.7% of our shareholders holding approximately 89% ofcasting votes on the total voting power of the Corporation. We believe this result demonstrates the shareholders’ endorsement ofmatter, indicating strong shareholder support for the Compensation Committee’s executive compensation decisions and policies. Such shareholder vote was one ofThere are many factors contributing to the Compensation Committee’s decision on whether to refrain from makingmake significant changes to our compensation mix, including, shareholder approval, peer group actions, target pay levels, performance metrics, or other compensation policies. The Compensation Committee will continue to consider results from future

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shareholder advisory votes which will be held annually until the next shareholder advisory vote in 2017 on the frequency of future votes on executive compensation, in its ongoing evaluation of our executive compensation programs and practices.

These advisory votes on executive compensation have been held annually since 2011, but the Compensation Committee will consider the results of this year’s shareholder advisory vote in determining the frequency of such future votes.



Compensation Administration and Consultant

The Compensation Committee reviews and determines the compensation for our named executive officers. The compensation we paid our named executive officers for fiscal year 20142017 is disclosed in detail in the tables and narratives below under the heading “Executive Compensation.” Our Compensation Committee is also responsible for, among other things,duties, structuring and administering the compensation programs and plans in which our named executive officers participate.

During fiscal year 2014,2017, the Compensation Committee retained the services of an independent executive compensation consultant, Pearl Meyer & Partners, which we refer to as PM&P. PM&PPay Governance LLC (“Pay Governance”). Pay Governance reports directly to the Compensation Committee and did not provide any other servicestypes of service to us during fiscal year 2014.2017. The Compensation Committee believes that there waswere no conflictconflicts of interest between PM&PPay Governance and the Compensation Committee during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014.2017. In reaching this conclusion, the Compensation Committee considered the compensation consultant independence factors set forth in Rule 10C-1(b)(4) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

PM&P

Pay Governance reevaluated our peer group and, based on its recommendations and input from management, the Compensation Committee adopted changes to the peer group for 20142017 as provided below. In addition, PM&PPay Governance provided information regarding median compensation for certain executives, including Mr. Boylanour named executive officers, Messrs. Gerlach, Ciesinski and Mr. Rosa, whichFell. The information was used by the Compensation Committee to obtain a general understanding of current compensation practices in our competitive market rather than benchmarking.

We implemented changesfor benchmarking purposes.

Over time, the Compensation Committee has worked to include peer companies with the following characteristics:
annual revenues generally between 50% and 250% of the Corporation’s annual revenues;
companies primarily competing in the Packaged Foods and Meats category and other related categories; and
a market cap similar to ours (i.e., between $1 billion and $5 billion vs. our market cap in excess of $3 billion).
As a result, during 2017 we added Hostess Brands, Inc. to our designated peer group and deleted the following three companies for the stated reasons:
Treehouse Foods Inc. (revenues too large)
Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated (revenues too large and not in Packaged Goods and Meats category)
Amplify Snack Brands, Inc. (revenues too small and market cap below $1 billion)
We anticipate further changes in the peer group, given expected future disparate revenue growth rates among the current peer companies as well as future mergers and acquisitions.
Our peer group for fiscal year 2014 based upon information and recommendations provided by PM&P. 2017 consists of the following companies:
•         B&G Foods, Inc.•         Blue Buffalo Pet Products Inc.
•         Calavo Growers Inc.•         Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.
•         Hain Celestial Group Inc.•         Hostess Brands Inc.
•         J&J Snack Foods Corp.•         National Beverage Corp.
•         Pinnacle Foods Inc.•         Prestige Brands Holdings Inc.
•         Revlon, Inc.•         Sanderson Farms Inc.
•         Snyder’s-Lance Inc.•         Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc.
Our fiscal 20142017 revenues were near the median of the chosen peer companies (56th percentile), while our market capitalization wasand total enterprise value were at the 9169stth percentileand 42nd percentiles of the group. The criteria used to develop the2017 peer group, included comparisons to companies in similar industries, primarily the packaged foods and meats and personal products industrial classifications, and which were also of a similar size to our corporation, specifically with annual revenues between 50% and 200% of our annual revenues andrespectively. Total enterprise value is defined as market capitalizations generally between 20% and 500% of ours. To more accurately reflect those criteria, we added Diamond Foods, Inc. and dropped three companies (Nu Skin Enterprises Inc., The WhiteWave Foods Company, and Treehouse Foods, Inc. (revenues were too large)) from the peer group used in 2013. Our peer group for 2014 consists of the following companies:cap plus long-term debt less cash.

B&G Foods, Inc.

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.

Calavo Growers Inc.

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated

Darling International Inc.

Diamond Foods, Inc.

Elizabeth Arden, Inc.

Hain Celestial Group Inc.

Inter Parfums Inc.

J&J Snack Foods Corp.

National Beverage Corp.

Post Holdings Inc.

Prestige Brands Holdings Inc.

Revlon, Inc.

Snyders-Lance Inc.

Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc.

USANA Health Sciences Inc.

Compensation Processes, Procedures and Comparison to Peer Group

Generally, our Compensation Committee establishes salaries for the current fiscal year and annual cash incentive award payouts for the prior fiscal year at its regularly scheduled August meeting. Historically, at this meeting, our Compensation Committee reviews the elements of each named executive officer’s total compensation during the previous fiscal year. Our Chief Executive Officer then makes compensation

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recommendations to our Compensation Committee with respect to the members of senior management who report to him, but those executives are not present in the meeting during compensation deliberations.

The chairman of our Compensation Committee Chair then makes compensation recommendations in executive session to our Compensation Committee with respect to our Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, who isare absent from the meeting


at that time. Our Compensation Committee also compares our named executive officers’ compensation with that offered to executive officers employed by companies in our peer group, based on information about the peer group companies supplied by PM&P,Pay Governance, during the first part of the review process as a“double-check” “double-check” against market compensation practices rather than as a formal benchmarking process. PM&P also provided information regarding competitive pay for Mr. Boylan and Mr. Rosa at the Compensation Committee’s August 2014 meeting.

Our Compensation Committee may accept or make adjustments to the recommendations it receives in establishing the final compensation for each of the named executive officers. In general, when setting each component of compensation for our named executive officers, our Compensation Committee considers the following performance factors:

our previous year’s operating results and whether we achievedachievement of our performance objectives;

the relative value of the executive’s unique skills, competencies and institutional knowledge;

the executive’s performance of management and officerhis or her responsibilities; and

the executive’s contribution toward our long-term strategic objectives and our goal of creating long-term shareholder value.

We granted new equity incentive awards in February 2014, and we discuss these grants in more detail below. We do not award equity compensation to Mr. Gerlach due to his already significant equity interest in our Corporation.

With the exception of our Chief Executive Officer,Chairman, as discussed in more detail below, we believe the total cash compensation paid to our named executive officers (the combination of salary and annual cash incentives) for fiscal 20142017 was in line with themarket median compensation paid for executives holding similar positions in our peer group based on the Compensation Committee’s general understanding of current compensation practices in our competitive market.

Primary Elements of Compensation

We

As noted, we have established executive compensation objectives primarily focused on helping us create long-term shareholder value. We believe we can best achieve our executive compensation program objectives by offering competitive short-term cash compensation combined with appropriate long-term equity-based compensation tied to our operating results and our achievement of incremental shareholder value. To this end, the primary elements of our executive compensation program are salary, annual cash incentive awards and long-term equity-based incentive awards, which are described in detail below. Generally, we look at our named executive officers’ compensation arrangements in total when establishing salaries, annual cash and long-term equity incentive awards.

Salaries. We provide our named executive officers with annual salaries to attract and retain the executives and to provide them with a steady source of annual cash-basedcash income. For each named executive officer, salary represents a risk-free cash compensation component. We establish salaries at levels designed to reward our named executive officers for their overall level of expertise, responsibilities, experience and other factors unique to each individual executive officer, as determined by our Compensation Committee. However, our general policy is thatthe salaries for our named executive officers should not exceed median salaries for executive officers with similar responsibilities within our peer group.

For fiscal year 2014,2017, the amount of each named executive officer’s salary increase expressed as a percentage of such officer’s fiscal year 20132016 salary, was as follows: Mr. Gerlach, 0%; Mr. Boylan, 3.00%5.0% and Mr. Rosa, 4.00%Fell, 5.2%. Salaries earnedThese increases were approved by ourthe Committee at its August 2016 meeting. Mr. Ciesinski joined the Corporation and became a named executive officersofficer in April 2016 and thus his salary increase for 2012, 2013 and 2014 appear below infiscal 2017 expressed as a percentage of the “Salary” column of our 2014 Summary Compensation Table. prior year is not meaningful.
For fiscal year 2015,2018, excluding Mr. Gerlach, we have increased our continuing named executive officers’ salaries by an average of 3.04%14.4%. We increased theMr. Gerlach’s salary ofdecreased by 33.0% to $700,000 as he was succeeded by Mr. Rosa by 3.00% and we increased theCiesinski as Chief Executive Officer on July 1, 2017. The salary ofchanges for Mr. Gerlach and Mr. Ciesinski were approved by 3.06%. Our new Chief Financial Officer,the Compensation Committee and became effective at the time of the title changes on July 1, 2017. Mr. Fell’s salary increase for fiscal year 2018, was approved by our Compensation Committee at its meeting in August 2017. Expressed as a percentage of such officer’s fiscal 2017 salary, the changes in salary were as follows: Mr. Ciesinski, 22.0% and Mr. Fell, will have a beginning salary for fiscal 2015 of $365,000.

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3.0%.

The Compensation Committee determinedincreased Mr. Ciesinski’s salary by a significant percentage for fiscal 2018 based on his promotion to increaseChief Executive Officer.
The Compensation Committee increased Mr. Boylan’sFell’s 2018 salary for 2014 after considering Mr. Boylan’s lengthybased on his experience handling financial matters for us andthe Corporation, his in-depth knowledge of our business, and the Compensation Committee’s and Mr. Gerlach’s satisfaction with Mr. Boylan’s job performance as Chief Financial Officer during 2013. The Compensation Committee determined to increase Mr. Rosa’s salary for 2014 due to the Compensation Committee’s ongoing desire to ensure retention of Mr. Rosa’s services within our Specialty Foods operations. The Compensation Committee also considered Mr. Rosa’s lengthy experience as President of our Specialty Foods Segment and his specific knowledge of our Specialty Foods operations and strategic plan and the Compensation Committee’s and Mr. Gerlach’s satisfaction with Mr. Rosa’sFell’s job performance during 2013.

The Compensation Committee used its judgment in choosing to increase salaries for Messrs. Boylan and Rosa for 2014 by their respective amounts after taking into consideration Mr. Gerlach’s recommendations, each executive’s annual salary increases in prior years and the amount our Compensation Committee understood to represent average salary increases among companies in our peer group over the past few years for officers holding similar positions.

2017.

Annual Cash Incentive Awards. We also provide our named executive officers with annual cash incentive awards designed to motivate them to help us achieve our annual financial goals. The annual cash incentive award represents a performance-based, variable and “at-risk” cash component of compensation for each named executive officer. Under this program, Messrs. BoylanMr. Ciesinski and RosaMr. Fell were each provided the opportunity to earn an annual cash incentive payment for fiscal 20142017 based on our achievement


of certain financial objectives. We granted this award to Mr. RosaCiesinski based on his responsibilityresponsibilities for supervising the operations of our Specialty Foods segment and to Mr. BoylanFell based on his responsibilities as Chief Financial Officer.

Our Chief Executive Officer,Chairman of the Board, Mr. Gerlach, does not participate in our annual cash incentive program. For fiscal 2014, however, the Compensation Committee awarded Mr. Gerlach a discretionary bonus of $395,000 at the same time incentives were approved for our other named executive officers. The Compensation Committee granted a discretionary award this year to demonstrate the Board’s high satisfaction with Mr. Gerlach’s continued excellent performance as our Chief Executive Officer.program and Mr. Gerlach’s total annual cash compensation remains wellis below the median of our peer group. Our Compensation Committee and Mr. Gerlach considerconsiders this result acceptable given his significant ownership interest and the resulting low probability of his leaving the Corporation.

Corporation for another company.

Our Chief Executive OfficerCompensation Committee retains discretionary authority to modify the financial targets and raise or lower the computed incentive payment by up to 5% for Mr. Boylan or Mr. Fell as applicable, and up to 20% for Mr. RosaCiesinski based on hisits qualitative assessment of the executive’s overall development during the course of the fiscal year. Our Compensation Committee also retains authority to make further adjustments to the computed annual cash incentive payments. An annual cash incentive payment, if earned, is made in the following fiscal year following the year in which it is earned.year. Annual cash incentive payments earned by our named executive officers for fiscal year 20142017 appear below in the “Bonus” and/or “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” columns of our 20142017 Summary Compensation Table.

For

Mr. Fell’s fiscal year 2014, Mr. Rosa received2017 award represented the opportunity to earn a cash incentive payment equal to 0.35%, rounded0.30% of our consolidated value-added income for fiscal 2017. For Mr. Fell, we use the following definitions and formulas to determine his financially-based annual incentive payout:
Define value-added income as the nearest hundred,amount by which fiscal year consolidated operating income exceeds a target level of income;
Determine the applicable target level of income by multiplying consolidated pre-tax cost of capital by consolidated average net assets;
Define average net assets to include accounts receivable; inventory; prepaid expenses; property, plant and equipment; other assets; goodwill; current liabilities; deferred taxes and other noncurrent liabilities; and
Calculate value-added income by subtracting target income from operating income from continuing operations.
For our consolidated operations in fiscal 2017:
Adjusted Operating Income from Continuing Operations (1)
-
Target Income (Pre-tax Cost of Capital times Average Net Assets(1))
=Value Added Income
$194.4 million-$75.3 million (18.75% x $402 million)=$119.1 million
___________
(1)As noted previously, the 2017 incentive calculation excludes the impact of the $17.6 million one-time multiemployer pension charge. In addition, the financial impact of Angelic, including its sales, operating income and net assets, was excluded from the 2017 cash incentive calculation because the business was acquired during the course of the year and was therefore not considered in the development of the 2017 incentive plan.

We use consolidated operating income and average net assets as the performance metrics for Mr. Fell’s award because we believe these metrics best motivate him to employ our consolidated net assets efficiently.
Under the foregoing formula, Mr. Fell’s cash incentive calculation for fiscal 2017 was $357,000. For fiscal 2017, our Compensation Committee determined that no discretionary adjustment was needed to this calculated figure. Thus, Mr. Fell’s total incentive payment for fiscal 2017 was $357,000.
Mr. Ciesinski’s fiscal 2017 award represented the opportunity to earn a cash incentive payment equal to 0.40% of our Specialty Foods segment’s value-added income for fiscal year 2014. Our Compensation Committee first established 0.35% of Specialty Foods’ value-added income as2017. For Mr. Ciesinski, we use the following definitions and formulas to determine his financially-based annual incentive opportunity for Mr. Rosa in 2004, and we have continued to view this as a fair annual incentive opportunity from year to year since 2004. We definepayout:
Define value-added income as the amount by which the fiscal year operating income of our Specialty Foods segment exceeds a target level of income. We determineincome;
Determine the applicable target level of income by multiplying the segment’s pre-tax cost of capital by the segment’s average net assets;
Define average net assets (defined as includingto include accounts receivable; inventory; prepaid expenses; property, plant and equipment; other assets; goodwill; current liabilities; deferred taxes and other non-current liabilities). We then calculatenoncurrent liabilities; and
Calculate value-added income by subtracting target income from operating income. For our Specialty Foods segment in fiscal 2014, average net assets equaled approximately $307 million, pre-tax cost of capital was 18.75%, target income equaled approximately $57.5 million, and operating income exceeded target income by approximately $108 million. from continuing operations.
We utilizeduse operating income and average net assets as the performance metrics for Mr. Rosa’sCiesinski’s award because we continue to believe that use of these metrics was the best way to motivate him to employ the Specialty Foods segment’s net assets efficiently.

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Beginningefficiently in the generation of operating income, higher levels of which we believe ultimately results in increased long-term shareholder value.



For our Specialty Foods segment in fiscal 2011, 2017:
Adjusted Operating Income from Continuing Operations (1)
-
Target Income (Pre-tax Cost of Capital times Average Net Assets(1))
=Value Added Income
$206.7 million-$77.7 million (18.75% x $415 million)=$129.0 million
___________
(1)As noted previously, the 2017 incentive calculation excludes the impact of the $17.6 million one-time multiemployer pension charge. In addition, the financial impact of Angelic, including its sales, operating income and net assets, was excluded from the 2017 cash incentive calculation because the business was acquired during the course of the year and was therefore not considered in the development of the 2017 incentive plan.

Mr. Rosa’sCiesinski’s incentive was subject to further modifications adopted by the Compensation Committee based upon the reviewrelated to annual revenue growth and recommendations of PM&P during 2010. individual performance:
After calculating Mr. Rosa’sCiesinski’s incentive based on the formula described above, the resulting amount is adjusted by a modifier of 85%-115% of the calculated value depending on annual revenue growth in the Specialty Foods segment between 2.5%0% and 8.5%6%. For example, assuming a calculated incentive under the current formula of $200,000, if annual revenue growth in 2014 was 2.5%, the calculated amount would be adjusted to 85% of its value, or $170,000. If annual revenue growth was 8.5%, the calculated amount would be adjusted to 115% of its value, or $230,000. For fiscal 2014,2017, a growth rate of 4.5%3.0% was set as the break-even point, meaning that salesrevenue growth above this level would increase the baseline calculation while salesrevenue growth below this level would decrease the baseline calculation.
In addition, the incentive amount is subject to a further adjustment of plus or minus 20% based upon our Compensation Committee’s assessment of a variety of factors including company and individual performance rather than the 5% discretionary adjustment we had used before 2011. These changes were implemented not only for Mr. Rosa but for certainin fiscal 2017, industry trends and other key personnel in the Specialty Foods segment to provide an additional incentive to drive growth.

considerations.

The baseline calculation of Mr. Rosa’sCiesinski’s incentive for fiscal 20142017 was $377,650. Revenue$515,800. Excluding Angelic, revenue growth in the Specialty Foods segment for fiscal 20142017 was 2.7%0.27%. Therefore, Mr. Rosa’sCiesinski’s incentive was further adjusted down by approximately 9.05%to 86% of the baseline calculated value, for a resulting calculated incentive amount of $343,450.$445,480. For fiscal year 2014,2017, our Chief Executive Officer and our Compensation Committee exercised discretion to modify the annual cash incentive payment to Mr. Rosa by adding an additional discretionary payment of 5% to the calculated incentive payment of $343,450, resulting in a total incentive payment of $360,622. Both our Chief Executive Officer and the Compensation Committee believe the additional discretionary bonus was appropriate in part to recognize Mr. Rosa’s ongoing role in our strategic transition that emphasizes our food business. In addition, the Compensation Committee determined that the break-even level setno discretionary adjustment was needed to this calculated figure. Thus, Mr. Ciesinski’s total incentive payment for fiscal 2014 did not accurately reflect the current challenges of the consumer marketplace.

Mr. Boylan’s fiscal year 2014 award represented the opportunity to earn a cash incentive payment equal to 0.45%, rounded to the nearest hundred, of our consolidated value-added income for fiscal year 2014. For purposes of Mr. Boylan’s award opportunity, we define value-added income as the amount by which fiscal year consolidated operating income exceeds a target level of income. We determine the applicable target level of income by multiplying consolidated pre-tax cost of capital by consolidated average net assets (defined as including accounts receivable; inventory; prepaid expenses; property, plant and equipment; other assets; goodwill; current liabilities; deferred taxes and other non-current liabilities). We then calculate value-added income by subtracting target income from operating income from continuing operations. For our consolidated operations in fiscal year 2014, average net assets equaled approximately $306 million (this figure is significantly lower than the $380 million in average net assets used in 2013 for this calculation – the difference primarily reflects the divestiture of our glassware and candles business in January 2014), pre-tax cost of capital2017 was 18.75%, target income equaled approximately $57.4 million, and operating income exceeded target income by approximately $96.4 million. We utilized consolidated operating income from continuing operations and average net assets as the performance metrics for Mr. Boylan’s award because we believe use of these metrics was the best way to motivate him to employ our consolidated net assets efficiently.

Under the foregoing formula, Mr. Boylan’s cash incentive calculation for fiscal 2014 was $433,700. Our Compensation Committee was pleased with the incentive resulting from Mr. Boylan’s formula and thus no discretionary amount was added to this calculation.

$445,480.

Long-Term Equity-Based Incentive Awards. We grant our long-term equity incentives in the form of stock-settled stock appreciation rights, or appreciation rights, and time-based restricted stock. During fiscal 2017, we made the following grants to our named executive officers:
  Appreciation Rights Restricted Shares  
Named Executive Grant Value (‘000s) # Grant Value (‘000s) # Total Grant Value (‘000s)
Mr. Gerlach $390.0 21,984 $210.0 1,555 $600.0
Mr. Ciesinski $812.5 46,784 $437.5 3,305 $1,250.0
Mr. Fell $178.7 10,076 $96.3 713 $275.0
The grants to Messrs. BoylanGerlach, Ciesinski and Rosa each received 14,400 appreciation rights and 1,030 shares of restricted stockFell were made as part of our February 20142017 grants pursuant to our form agreements for appreciation rights and restricted stock awards. Also included above, Mr. Ciesinski received a second equity grant of appreciation rights and restricted stock awards in June 2017, with a total grant value of $250,000, related to his promotion to Chief Executive Officer on July 1, 2017. The grants of appreciation rights and restricted stock were made under our Amended and Restated 2005 Stock2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan that was previously approved by our shareholders.
The relative values of the appreciation rights grants is 65% of the total equity grant value, with 35% of the value associated with the restricted stock. Our Compensation Committee believes the appreciation rights grants provide a direct incentive for recipients to increase the share price, leading to long-term shareholder value creation. The restricted stock grants are primarily designed to promote the retention of executives over the long-term. Overall, our Compensation Committee believes the awards represent an appropriate level of additional annual compensation that is aligned with the creation of long-term shareholder value and provides an additionalthe retention tool forof executive talent.

Appreciation rights give holders the right to receive stock in our Corporation equal in market value to the difference between the closing market price of our stock on the day of exercise and the base price established for

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the appreciation rights, as set forth in the appreciation rights award agreement, multiplied by the number of appreciation rights exercised. The base price for appreciation rights equals the closing price of our stock on the date on which the appreciation rights are granted, which for the February 20142017 grants was $89.29.$135.06 and for Mr. Ciesinski’s June 2017 grant was $122.62. Appreciation rights cannot be exercised until they vest, and, for retention purposes, we have currently chosen a vesting schedule as follows: one-third of the total award will vest on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date. The appreciation rights granted under our 2015



Omnibus Incentive Plan will vest earlier upon a change ofin control of the Corporation.Corporation in a pro rata amount based upon the length of time within the vesting period that has lapsed prior to the change in control. The appreciation rights award agreement also provides that the appreciation rights will vest in full if the grantee’s service is terminated by the Corporation without cause or by the grantee with good reason. Appreciation rights expire on the earlier of five years from the grant date or 90 days after the grantee’s employment with the Corporation ceases other than as a result of his or her death, disability or retirement, as described in more detail in the award agreement. As a result, the appreciation rights granted in February 20142017 must be exercised no later than February 25, 2019.

21, 2022. The appreciation rights granted to Mr. Ciesinski in June 2017 must be exercised no later than June 30, 2022.

The Compensation Committee granted new awards of restricted stock on the same day as the appreciation rights awards. Unlike the appreciation rights, the shares of restricted stock do not vest ratably, but vest in total on the third anniversary of the grant date, although a portion of the shares may vest at retirement as described below. TheThis restricted stock will vest earlier upon a change ofin control of the Corporation.Corporation if it is not assumed by the acquiring or surviving company, or if it is assumed and the grantee’s employment is, within 24 months following the change in control, terminated by the Corporation other than for cause or terminated by the grantee for good reason. Once vested, the restricted stock may be traded in the same manner as other shares. Each recipient of restricted stock will receive dividends on the restricted stock during the vesting period, but will forfeit all unvested restricted stock ifupon termination of employment unless his or her employment withis terminated by the Corporation ceases other thanwithout cause or by the recipient for good reason or as a result of his or her death or disability, as described in more detail in the award agreement. If at the date of grant an employee reacheshas reached the age of 63 and has at least 10 years of service with the Corporation, then a portion of the shares will vest upon the employee’s retirement as follows: one-third will vest if the employee retires after the first anniversary of the grant date but before the second anniversary of the grant date; and two-thirds will vest if the employee retires after the second anniversary of the grant date but before full vesting of the award.

In total, we granted 145,725 appreciation rights and 30,353 shares of restricted stock under our Amended and Restated 2005 Stock Plan during fiscal year 2014.

The Compensation Committee did not use any specific formulas, mathematical calculations or peer group comparisons when determining the amounts of appreciation rights and restricted stock that it granted to individual employees, including our named executive officers, during 2014.2017. Instead, the 20142017 grants including the grants to Mr. Boylan and Mr. Rosa, were made solely inbased on the Compensation Committee’s judgment, which in turn was based on recommendations from Mr. Gerlach and motivated solely by the Compensation Committee’s desire to award each employee enough value to achieve our retention and motivation objectives discussed above.
In the Compensation Committee’s view, the amounts awarded in 20142017 were necessary to help us retain executive talent and provide reasonable incentives for our executive talent to workexecutives to create long-term shareholder value.

At this time, it is our intention Mr. Gerlach’s awards were based on the Compensation Committee’s desire to continuealign his long-term incentives with other executive officers. Mr. Ciesinski’s awards were based on the Compensation Committee’s desire to makeretain Mr. Ciesinski over the long-term, equity incentive awards inassist him with building significant share ownership going forward and reflect his promotion to the form of appreciation rights and restricted stock using the forms we have filed with the SEC because weChief Executive Officer position.

We believe these types of equity awards offer our employees, including our named executive officers, the best form of motivation and retention and motivation incentive that is alsoincentives aligned with the long-term interests of our shareholders. We also currently expect theour Compensation Committee will continue to use its judgment, based in part on recommendations by our Chief Executive Officer,Mr. Ciesinski, to determine the appropriate level of appreciation rights and restricted stock awards because this gives the Compensation Committee the most flexibility to make awards in amounts necessary to help us achieve our long-term objectives. At this time, the Compensation Committee has not made any determinations about awards for fiscal year 20152018 or future years. More detailed information about dividends on restricted stock
The following charts depict the pay mix for fiscal year 2014 is presented below in the “All Other Compensation” column ofMr. Gerlach and our 2014 Summary Compensation Table.

other named executive officers:

gerlachpaymix.gifotherneospaymixa03.gif


Other Benefits

Our named executive officers are also eligible to participate in our employee benefit plans available to all salaried employees, including our 401(k) savings plans, health insurance plan and group life insurance plan. These other benefits are discussed in detail below. In addition, our named executive officers may elect to participate in our deferred compensation program. We also make some post-termination payments and benefits available to our named executive officers, as described in detail below. The value of these benefits are reviewed annually by our Compensation Committee, but are not generally considered as part of the overall compensation program for purposes of allocating among cash, equity and other compensation.

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Perquisites. We generally do not believe that providingprovide perquisites to our named executive officers helpsbecause they do not help us achieve any of our compensation program objectives, including the promotion of long-term shareholder value. We limit the perquisites made available to our named executive officers that are not otherwise available to all salaried employees and believe this arrangement is consistent with our “pay for performance” philosophy. During fiscal year 2014,2017, we offered our named executive officers only the following perquisites: corporate automobile allocations and related insurance premium payments, except for Mr. Gerlach and Mr. Boylan; and life insurance and travel insurance premium payments.payments, relocation expense reimbursements and payment of certain business-related professional and filing fees. More detailed information about perquisites for fiscal year 20142017 is presented below in the “All Other Compensation” column of our 20142017 Summary Compensation Table.

Executive Deferred Compensation Program. The Lancaster Colony Corporation Executive Employee 2005 Deferred Compensation Plan which we refer to as our nonqualified deferred compensation plan,(“DCP”) allows our named executive officers to defer up to $50,000 of their annual basecash compensation for future payment. Under the nonqualified deferred compensation plan,DCP, amounts deferred by our named executive officers are maintained in separate book-entry accounts. Interest on the deferred amounts is credited semi-annually on June 30 and December 31 with an annual rate of interest equal to the prime interest rate reported in the Wall Street Journal on the first business day in January (for the June 30 credit) and July (for the December 31 credit). We do not match amounts that are deferred. Distributions from the nonqualified deferred compensation planDCP are paid upon termination of employment (including death or disability), and the named executive officer may elect to receive payments in either a lump sum or a series of installments upon termination. We do not fund the nonqualified deferred compensation planDCP and participants have only an unsecured contractual commitment from us to pay the amounts due. More detailed information about the nonqualified deferred compensation planDCP is presented below in our 2014the 2017 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table and related narrative.

Health and Welfare Benefits. We provide healthcare, life and disability insurance and other employee benefits programs to our employees, including our named executive officers. We believe these benefits are competitive within our peer group and, while not separate incentives by themselves because they do not help us achieve any of our compensation program objectives, are essential and expected parts of any compensation program. Our benefits and risk management department is responsible for overseeing the administration of these programs. Our employee benefits programs are provided on a non-discriminatory basis to all employees. These benefits include vacation and personal time, paid holidays, medical and long and short-term disability insurance programs.

Retirement Benefits

Pension Benefits. We do not provide defined benefit pension arrangements or post-retirement health coverage for our named executive officers, as we do not believe that providing these types of benefits to our named executive officers helps us achieve any of our compensation program objectives, including the promotion of long-term shareholder value.

401(k) Savings Plan. All of our current named executive officers are eligible to participate in our Lancaster Colony Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan, a tax-qualified defined contribution plan that we refer to as our 401(k) Plan. We believe this benefit is competitive within our peer group and, while not a separate incentive by itself because it does not help us achieve any of our compensation program objectives, it is an essential and expected part of any compensation program. Under the 401(k) Plan, each employee may contribute up to 25% of eligible compensation on a pre-tax basis into an individual account (subject to limits established by the Internal Revenue Service). In any fiscal year, we will make a matching contribution to each participant’s account equal to 40% of the first 4% of the participant’s compensation that has been contributed to the 401(k) Plan. A participant may make partial withdrawals from the 401(k) Plan through a loan, based on financial hardship or, if the participant is an in-service employee, at age 59 1/259½. Single lump sum withdrawals are permitted upon an employee’s termination of employment.

Effective for calendar year 2014,2017, the 401(k) Plan limits the annual additions that can be made to an employee’s account to $52,000$54,000 per year. Annual additions include matching contributions and before-tax contributions made by the employee. Of those annual additions, the current maximum before-tax contribution is $17,500$18,000 per year and no more than $260,000$270,000 of annual compensation may be taken into account in computing benefits under the 401(k) Plan.

21


Participants age 50 and over may also contribute, on a pre-tax basis and without regard to the $52,000$54,000 limitation on annual additions or the $17,500$18,000 general limitation on before-tax contributions, a catch-up contribution of up to $5,500$6,000 per year. Matching contributions from us that were paid to our named executive officers during fiscal year 20142017 are included in the “All Other Compensation” column of our 20142017 Summary Compensation Table.



Employee Stock Ownership Plan. The Lancaster Colony Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan, or ESOP, is another of our tax-qualified retirement plans. The ESOP was “frozen” on December 31, 1997 when it was amended to prevent further participation and contributions and to fully vest existing account balances. The ESOP was designed to invest primarily in “employer securities” as defined in Section 409(l) of the Internal Revenue Code. The ESOP continues to offer a pre-retirement diversification right, and dividends are distributed (upon election by the participant) in the form of cash or can be reinvested in our stock and credited to a participant’s account. Distributions in the form of a single lump sum or in five annual installments are made upon a participant’s termination of employment.

Employment, Severance and SeveranceChange in Control Agreements

We

Except for Mr. Ciesinski, we do not maintain employment agreements with any of our other named executive officers. We have
Mr. Ciesinski’s employment agreement was effective as of April 18, 2016, and has an initial term ending on June 30, 2019. Thereafter, the employment agreement will automatically renew for successive one year terms, unless earlier terminated pursuant to its terms, or unless either we or Mr. Ciesinski provides timely written notice that the term will not be extended.
In the event Mr. Ciesinski is terminated by us without cause, by us as a result of giving notice of non-extension of the employment agreement, or by Mr. Ciesinski for good reason, then, subject to Mr. Ciesinski signing and not revoking a release of claims against us, he will receive as severance pay the greater of: (a) continued payment of his base salary for a period of twelve months, plus an amount equal to 80% of his salary in lieu of any annual incentive for the incomplete fiscal year; or (b) the amount due to Mr. Ciesinski under his change in control agreement (see discussion below). Additionally, in the event Mr. Ciesinski’s termination occurs after the completion of our fiscal year but before the payment of his annual incentive, Mr. Ciesinski will be entitled to payment of his earned but unpaid annual incentive for such completed fiscal year.
Mr. Ciesinski’s employment agreement also provides for a clawback of any incentive compensation or other compensation paid to Mr. Ciesinski as required under applicable law, government regulation, stock exchange listing requirement, or our policy.
In April 2016 and October 2016, we entered into Key Employee Severance Agreementsa change in control agreement with Mr. BoylanCiesinski and Mr. RosaFell, respectively, such that specify cash payments in the event the named executive officer’sexecutive's employment is terminated other than for causeon or terminated by the executive officer for good reason within one year after12 months following a change in control, (the terms “cause,” “good reason” and “change in control” are each defined ineither by us without cause, or by the agreements). In addition,executive for good reason, the named executive officer willwould be entitled to participate ina lump sum severance payment equal to the sum of: (i) accrued and unpaid salary, accrued and unpaid annual incentive from any prior completed fiscal year, and a pro-rated portion of his annual incentive for the current fiscal year; (ii) three times the sum of Mr. Ciesinski’s base salary plus his target level annual incentive for the current fiscal year or two times the sum of Mr. Fell’s base salary plus his target level annual incentive for the current fiscal year; (iii) the sum of his unvested 401(k) balance; plus two times the aggregate matching contributions payable by us into his 401(k) account for the last completed calendar year; and (iv) continued health, dental, long-term disability and life insurance planscoverage for two years following his date of termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the change in which the executive participated at the time of termination, on the same basis, for a period of one year following termination. Thecontrol agreements do not requireprovide for any excise tax gross-up payments and provide that the named executive officers to mitigate the amount of benefits paid by seeking other employment, and the benefits payable under the agreements are not subject to reduction for other compensation earnedexecutive's change in control payments thereunder would be reduced by the named executive officers after termination. The agreements do not have an expiration date. We believe these agreements wereminimum amount necessary for us to attract and retain these two named executive officers. No amounts were payableavoid penalties under Mr. Boylan’s agreement upon his retirement as an executive officerSection 4999 of the Corporation effective July 1, 2014. See further disclosure below under “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” for more information.

Internal Revenue Code.

Share Ownership Guidelines

In 2012, the

The Board adopted the following revised share ownership guidelines in 2017 to further align the interests of the Corporation’s named executive officers and the Corporation’s shareholders:

Mr. Gerlach, as the CEO, should own common shares of the Corporation with a value equal to at least six times his annual base salary;

Mr. Boylan and Mr. Rosa, the other executive officers in fiscal 2014, should own common shares of the Corporation with a value equal to at least two times their respective annual base salaries; and

Executive OfficersShare Ownership Guideline
Executive Chairman and CEO (Messrs. Gerlach and Ciesinski)6x annual base salary
Other Named Executive Officers (Mr. Fell)2x annual base salary
Other Potential Future Named Executive Officers1x annual base salary

Other potential future named executive officers should own common shares of the Corporation with a value equal to at least one times their respective annual base salaries.

Each executive to whom this policy applies shall have until the later of five years from the date of adoption of this policy or five years from the date such executive became subject to this policy to achieve the applicable guideline level of ownership. All of the Corporation’s named executive officersMr. Gerlach and Mr. Fell have met the guidelines for fiscal 2014.

2017. Mr. Ciesinksi is required to meet his increased guideline by July 2022, five years after his appointment as Chief Executive Officer.

Insider Trading, Hedging and Pledging Policies
Our Insider Trading Policy prohibits all directors and employees from short-selling common shares of the Corporation or engaging in transactions involving Corporation-based derivative securities, including, but not limited to, trading in Corporation-based option contracts (for example, buying and/or writing puts and calls). This does not prohibit the exercise of options, stock


appreciation rights, or other derivative securities received through Corporation-sponsored equity incentive plans. Our Insider Trading Policy also prohibits pledging Corporation securities as collateral for a loan, except where the person clearly demonstrates the financial capacity to repay the loan without resort to the pledged securities.
In addition, our Insider Trading Policy prohibits our directors, officers, and employees from purchasing or selling Corporation securities while in possession of material, non-public information, except through use of stock trading plans adopted pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Rule 10b5-1 allows insiders to sell and diversify their holdings in our common shares over a designated period by adopting pre-arranged stock trading plans at a time when they are not aware of material nonpublic information about us, and thereafter sell our common shares in accordance with the terms of their stock trading plans without regard to whether or not they are in possession of material nonpublic information about the Corporation at the time of the sale.
Recoupment of Incentive Payments

We do not have a formal policy regarding adjusting or recovering annual cash incentive payments orlong-term equity-based incentive awards if the relevant performance metrics upon which such awards or payments are based are later restated or otherwise adjusted in a manner that reduces the actual size of the award or payment. Instead, we will consider making adjustments or recoveries on a case-by-case basis if those situations arise and expect to comply with all recoupment requirements imposed under theDodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act when such requirements are effective.

22


apply.

Accounting and Tax Considerations

Regulations issued under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code provide that compensation in excess of $1 million paid to our named executive officers will not be deductible unless it meets specified criteria required for it to be “performance based.” In general, our Compensation Committee considers the potential impact of Section 162(m) in its review and establishment of compensation programs and payments. However, our Compensation Committee also reserves the right to provide compensation that does not meet the exemption criteria if, in its sole discretion, it determines that doing so advances our business objectives. Currently,In fiscal 2017, our Chief Executive Officer receivesChairman of the Board received non-performance based compensation paid in excess of the Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) tax deduction limit.

Compensation-Related Risk Assessment

In 2014,2017, the Compensation Committee reviewed and discussed the structure of our compensation program from the point of view of assessing whether any aspect of the program could potentially be expected to provide an incentive to our executive officers or other employees to take any unnecessary or inappropriate risks that could threaten our operating results, financial condition or impact long-term shareholder value. The Compensation Committee conducted an assessment of our incentive-based compensation plans (including the annual and long-term incentive programs) and our compensation practices. Further, the Compensation Committee discussed the structure of the compensation program with the Chairman of the Board and Lead Independent Director.

Based on our internal controls, policies and risk-mitigating components in our incentive arrangements currently in place, informal input from PM&P,Pay Governance, discussions with the Chairman of the Board and Lead Independent Director, as well as the Compensation Committee’s formal review and discussion, the Compensation Committee believes our compensation programs represent an appropriate balance of short-term and long-term compensation and do not encourage executive officers or other employees to take unnecessary or excessive risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Corporation.

23





EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Executive Officers

The following is a list of the names and ages of all of the executive officers of the Corporation indicating all positions and offices held by each such person and each person’s principal occupation or employment during the past five years. No person other than those listed below has been chosen to become an executive officer.officer for fiscal 2017. The executive officers are elected annually by the Board:

Name

  

Principal Occupation

  Age   Executive
Officer Since
 

John B. Gerlach, Jr.

  Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Corporation since 1997   60     1982  

Douglas A. Fell(1)

  Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Vice President and Assistant Secretary of the Corporation since 2014;   52     2014  

Bruce L. Rosa

  President of T. Marzetti Company, a food processing subsidiary of the Corporation, since 2003; and Vice President — Development of the Corporation since 1998   65     1998  

Name Principal Occupation Age 
Executive
Officer Since
John B. Gerlach, Jr. Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation since 1997; President of the Corporation from 1997 to 2016 63 1982
David A. Ciesinski (1)
 President and Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation since 2016; President of T. Marzetti Company, the specialty foods subsidiary of the Corporation, since 2016 51 2016
Douglas A. Fell Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Vice President and Assistant Secretary of the Corporation since 2014; Senior Vice President of Finance of T. Marzetti Company, the specialty foods subsidiary of the Corporation, from 2012 to 2014; Senior Vice President of Strategic Development of T. Marzetti Company from 2010 to 2012 55 2014
___________
(1)See “Proposal One - Nomination and Election of Directors” for Mr. Fell became an executive officer of the Corporation on July 1, 2014, the first day of the 2015 fiscal year.Ciesinski's employment information prior to 2016.

In addition, John L. Boylan, a former executive officer who served


On July 1, 2017, Mr. Ciesinski succeeded Mr. Gerlach as Chief FinancialExecutive Officer, Treasurer, Vice President and Assistant SecretaryMr. Gerlach became the Executive Chairman of the Corporation through the end of the 2014 fiscal year, is disclosed as a named executive officer in this proxy statement.

The following tables and narratives provide descriptions of the compensation paid by us for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014, to Mr. Gerlach, Mr. Boylan and Mr. Rosa, our three named executive officers during the 2014 fiscal year. Mr. Fell is not included in the following table because he was not a named executive officer during the 2014, 2013 or 2012 fiscal years.

2014Board.


2017 Summary Compensation Table

The following table summarizes compensation earned during the 2014, 20132017, 2016 and 20122015 fiscal years by our named executive officers:

Name and Principal Position Fiscal Year Salary Bonus 
Stock
Awards
 
Option
Awards
 
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
 
Change in
Pension Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
 
All Other
Compensation
 Total
    
$(1)
 $ 
$(2)
 
$(3)
 
$(4)
 $ $ $
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j)
John B. Gerlach, Jr., Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer(5)
 2017 $1,044,000
 $
 $210,018
 $389,996
 $
 $
 $14,453
(6) 
 $1,658,467
 2016 $994,000
 $
 $175,026
 $324,996
 $
 $
 $18,836

 $1,512,858
 2015 $984,000
 $
 $148,269
 $265,911
 $
 $
 $16,875
  $1,415,055
David A. Ciesinski, President and Chief Operating Officer and President, T. Marzetti Company(7)
 2017 $615,000
 $
 $437,491
 $812,501
 $445,480
 $
 $41,835
(8) 
 $2,352,307
 2016 $100,000
 $110,800
 $350,023
 $649,994
 $
 $
 $50,100

 $1,260,917
                   
Douglas A. Fell,
Treasurer, Vice President, and Chief Financial Officer(9)
 2017 $405,000
 $
 $96,298
 $178,748
 $357,000
 $
 $9,912
(10) 
 $1,046,958
 2016 $385,000
 $16,800
 $87,462
 $162,504
 $329,700
 $
 $18,546

 $1,000,012
 2015 $365,000
 $14,000
 $71,081
 $127,855
 $288,000
 $
 $12,832
  $878,768
___________

Name and Principal
Position (a)

Fiscal
Year
(b)
Salary
($)(1)
(c)
Bonus
($)(2)
(d)
Stock
Awards

($)(3)
(e)
Option
Awards

($)(4)
(f)
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation

($)(5)
(g)
Change in
Pension

Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings

($)
(h)
All Other
Compensation

($)
(i)
Total
($)
(j)

John B. Gerlach, Jr.,

Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and President


2014

2013

2012


$

$

$

954,810

954,810

927,000


$

$

$

395,000

295,000

175,000


$

$

$

0

0

0


$

$

$

0

0

0


$

$

$

0

0

0


$

$

$

0

0

0


$

$

$

5,081

7,814

3,282

(6) 

$

$

$

1,354,891

1,257,624

1,105,282


John L. Boylan,

Treasurer, Vice President, and Chief Financial Officer


2014

2013

2012


$

$

$

491,725

477,400

463,500


$

$

$

0

20,395

16,060


$

$

$

91,969

50,869

34,060


$

$

$

170,780

153,680

145,256


$

$

$

433,700

407,900

321,200


$

$

$

0

0

0


$

$

$

7,156

16,221

5,367

(7) 

$

$

$

1,195,330

1,126,465

985,443


Bruce L. Rosa,

President, T. Marzetti Company and Vice President — Development


2014

2013

2012


$

$

$

457,950

440,325

427,500


$

$

$

17,172

32,105

17,456


$

$

$

91,969

50,869

34,060


$

$

$

170,780

153,680

145,256


$

$

$

343,450

321,055

348,300


$

$

$

0

0

0


$

$

$

10,297

19,399

7,542

(8) 

$

$

$

1,091,618

1,017,433

980,114


24


(1)The amounts shown in this column for 20142017 include amounts deferred by our named executive officers under our nonqualified deferred compensation plan, which is further discussed above under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and below in the “2014“2017 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table” and accompanying narrative.

(2)As discussed under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” above, the amount reported for Mr. Gerlach for 2014 represents a discretionary bonus awarded by the Compensation Committee and the amount reported for Mr. Rosa for 2014 represents a discretionary increase under our annual cash incentive award program.

(3)The amounts reported in the “Stock Awards” column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, or FASB ASC Topic 718, of the restricted stock granted during the reported years. The assumptions used in determining these valuations are the same as those used in our financial statements. For fiscal 2014,2017, those assumptions can be found in footnote 711 to the financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014.2017. See the 20142017 Grants of Plan-Based Awards table below for additional information regarding the restricted stock awarded in fiscal 2014.2017.

(4)
(3)The amounts reported in the “Option Awards” column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 of the stock-settled stock appreciation rights granted during the reported years. The assumptions used in determining these valuations are the same as those used in our financial statements. For fiscal 2014, those assumptions can be found in footnote 7 to the financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014. See the 2014 Grants of Plan-Based Awards table below for additional information regarding the stock-settled stock appreciation rights awarded in fiscal 2014.



in our financial statements. For fiscal 2017, those assumptions can be found in footnote 11 to the financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017. See the 2017 Grants of Plan-Based Awards table below for additional information regarding the stock-settled stock appreciation rights awarded in fiscal 2017.
(5)
(4)The amounts shown in this column for 20142017 represent amounts computed for fiscal year 20142017 performance under our annual cash incentive award program.program. As discussed under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” above, these amounts were based on our achievement of certain financial objectives. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” for more information about our annual cash incentive award program.

(5)Mr. Gerlach was appointed Executive Chairman of the Board on July 1, 2017.
(6)This amount consists of (A) $4,160$1,200 in life insurance premium payments, and (B) $13,253 of perquisites and other personal benefits in the aggregate consisting of (i) matching contributions to our 401(k) Savings Plan, (ii) payment of travel insurance premiums, (iii) dividends on unvested restricted stock, and (iv) payment of business-related professional and filing fees.
(7)Mr. Ciesinski was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation on July 1, 2017 and President and Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation and President of T. Marzetti Company on April 18, 2016.
(8)This amount consists of (A) $1,200 in life insurance premium payments, (B) $840$32,623 of relocation expense reimbursements, and (C) $8,012 of perquisites and other personal benefits in the aggregate consisting of (i) payment of travel insurance premiums, and (ii) dividends on unvested restricted stock.
(9)Mr. Fell was appointed Treasurer, Vice President, and Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation on July 1, 2014.
(10)This amount consists of (A) $1,200 in life insurance premium payments, and (C) $81(B) $8,712 of perquisites and other personal benefits in travel insurance premium payments.

(7)This amount consiststhe aggregate consisting of (A) $3,146 in(i) matching contributions to our 401(k) Savings Plan, (B) $840 in life(ii) payment of travel insurance premium payments, (C) $3,089 inpremiums, and (iii) dividends on unvested restricted stock and (D) $81 in travel insurance premium payments.stock.

(8)This amount consists of (A) $4,221 in matching contributions to our 401(k) Savings Plan, (B) $2,122 allocated for personal use of a corporate automobile, (C) $810 in automobile insurance premium payments, (D) $840 in life insurance premium payments, (E) $2,223 in dividends on unvested restricted stock and (F) $81 in travel insurance premium payments.

2014


2017 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

The following table shows all plan-based awards granted to our named executive officers during fiscal year 2014.

2017.
Name 
Grant
Date
 
Estimated Possible Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards
 
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Equity Incentive Plan Awards
 All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards
  Threshold Target Maximum Threshold Target Maximum    
    ($) 
($)(1)
 ($) (#) (#) (#) (#) (#) ($/Sh) ($)
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j) (k) (l)
John B. Gerlach, Jr. 2/21/17 $
 $
 $
    
1,555(2)

 
 
 $210,018
  2/21/17 $
 $
 $
    
 
21,984(4)

 $135.06 $389,996
David A. Ciesinski
 
  $
 $492,000
 $
    
 
 
 $
  2/21/17 $
 $
 $
    
2,591(2)

 
 
 $349,940
  2/21/17 $
 $
 $
    
 
36,640(4)

 $135.06 $649,994
  6/30/17 $
 $
 $
    
714(3)

 
 
 $87,551
  6/30/17 $
 $
 $
    
 
10,144(5)

 $122.62 $162,507
Douglas A. Fell  $
 $329,700
 $
    
 
 
 $
  2/21/17 $
 $
 $
    
713(2)

 
 
 $96,298
  2/21/17 $
 $
 $
    
 
10,076(4)

 $135.06 $178,748
___________

Name

(a)

Grant
Date
Estimated Possible Payouts Under
Non-Equity  Incentive Plan Awards
Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity Incentive
Plan Awards

All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of Shares
of Stock
or Units

(#)(2)

All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options

(#)(3)

Exercise or
Base Price
of Option
Awards

($/Sh)

Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and Option
Awards

($)

Threshold

($)

Target

($)(1)

Maximum

($)

Threshold

(#)

Target

(#)

Maximum

(#)

(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(h)(i)(j)(k)(l)

John B. Gerlach, Jr.

John L. Boylan



2/25/14

2/25/14





$

407,900
















1,030




14,400



$


89.29



$

$


91,969

170,780


Bruce L. Rosa



2/25/14

2/25/14





$

321,055
















1,030




14,400



$


89.29



$

$


91,969

170,780


25


(1)As we described in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” above, under our annual cash incentive program, Mr. Boylan and Mr. Rosa each receiveFell receives a fiscal year incentive opportunity, the amount of which is primarily determined by applying a percentage rate to either the value-added income attributable to the entire Corporation or the value-added income attributable to our Specialty Foods segment, as applicable for each named executive officer.Corporation. The resulting cash incentive calculation is subject to for Mr. Rosa, adjustment based on our Specialty Foods segment’s achievement of annual revenue growth and, for both Messrs. Rosa and Boylan, discretionary adjustment on recommendation by our Chief Executive Officer and approval by our Compensation Committee, each as further described in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” above. For fiscal year 2014, our Compensation Committee exercised discretion for Mr. Rosa’s payment by first deducting $34,200 based on Specialty Food’s annual revenue growth for 2014, and then by adding $17,172 as a discretionary adjustment, as more fully described in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” above.

Because value-added income changes from year-to-year, we are unable to determine in advance the target amounts for annual cash incentive awards under our annual cash incentive program. The amount reflected in column (d) of the above table for Mr. Fell represents the estimated possible payout for fiscal 2017 based on fiscal 2016 actual performance, as required by applicable guidance. This amount is not indicative of the actual amount Mr. Fell received under the annual cash incentive program for fiscal 2017 for the reasons explained above in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”
The amount reflected for Mr. Ciesinski was based on the terms of his employment agreement.
The total annual cash incentive payments for our named executive officers for our performance in fiscal 2017 were determined by our Compensation Committee on August 15, 2017 and are reflected in columns (d) and/or (g) of our 2017 Summary Compensation Table above. For more information about our annual cash incentive program, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” above.
Because value-added income changes from year-to-year, we are unable to determine in advance the target amounts for annual cash incentive awards under our annual cash incentive program. The amounts reflected in column (d) of the above table represent estimated possible payouts for fiscal year 2014 based on fiscal year 2013 actual performance, as required by applicable guidance. These amounts are not indicative of the actual amounts Messrs. Boylan and Rosa received under the annual cash incentive program for fiscal year 2014 for the reasons explained above in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” The total annual cash incentive payments for our named executive officers for our performance in fiscal year 2014 were determined by our Compensation Committee on August 18, 2014 and are reflected in columns (d) and/or (g) of our 2014 Summary Compensation Table above. For more information about our annual cash incentive program, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” above.

(2)These amounts represent shares of restricted stock that were granted on February 25, 201421, 2017 pursuant to our Amended and Restated 2005 Stock2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The restricted stock is expected to fully vest on February 25, 2017.21, 2020. The grant date fair value per share was $89.29.$135.06.

(3)This amount represents shares of restricted stock that were granted on June 30, 2017 pursuant to our 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The restricted stock is expected to fully vest on June 30, 2020. The grant date fair value per share was $122.62.
(4)These amounts represent stock-settled stock appreciation rights that were granted on February 25, 201421, 2017 pursuant to our Amended and Restated 2005 Stock2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The stock-settled stock appreciation rights vest ratably over a three-year period beginning on February 25, 2015,21, 2018, can be exercised for up to five years from the date of grant and are expected to fully vest on February 25, 2017.21, 2020. The Black-Scholes determined grant date fair value per right was $11.8597.$17.74. The amounts reported in column (l) for these awards represent the grant date fair market value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.



(5)This amount represents stock-settled stock appreciation rights that were granted on June 30, 2017 pursuant to our 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The stock-settled stock appreciation rights vest ratably over a three-year period beginning on June 30, 2018, can be exercised for up to five years from the date of grant and are expected to fully vest on June 30, 2020. The Black-Scholes determined grant date fair value per right was $16.02. The amount reported in column (l) for these awards represents the grant date fair market value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.
None of our named executive officers is a party to an employment agreement with us butexcept Mr. BoylanCiesinski. Mr. Ciesinski and Mr. RosaFell were partiesparty to Key Employee SeveranceChange in Control Agreements with usthe Corporation in fiscal 2014. No amounts were payable under Mr. Boylan’s agreement upon his retirement as an executive officer of the Corporation effective July 1, 2014.2017. For more information about these severance agreements, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Employment, Severance and SeveranceChange in Control Agreements” above and the disclosure below under “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.” For more information about the other compensation arrangements in which our named executive officers participate and the proportion of our named executive officers’ total compensation represented by base salary and annual cash incentive payments or discretionary bonuses, also see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” above.

26



Outstanding Equity Awards at 20142017 FiscalYear-End Table

The following table shows all outstanding equity awards held by our named executive officers at the end of fiscal year 2014.

  Option Awards  Stock Awards 

Name

(a)

 

Number

of

Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options

(#)

Exercisable

  

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options

(#)

Unexercisable

  

Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options

(#)

  

Option
Exercise
Price

($)

  Option
Expiration
Date
  

Number of
Shares or
Units of Stock
That Have
Not Vested

(#)

  

Market

Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested

($)

  

Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other Rights
That Have
Not Vested

(#)

  

Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market
or Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That
Have Not
Vested

($)

 
 (b)  (c)  (d)  (e)  (f)  (g)  (h)  (i)  (j) 

John B. Gerlach, Jr.

                                    

John L. Boylan

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,000

10,666

5,666

(1) 

(1) 

(1) 

  

  

  

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 


5,334

11,334

14,400

  

(2) 

(2) 

(2) 

  

  

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 


  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 $

$

$

$

 

 

 

57.78

68.12

72.67

89.29

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feb. 22, 2016

Feb. 21, 2017

Feb. 26, 2018

Feb. 25, 2019

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 


500

700

1,030

  

  

  

  

(2) 

(2) 

(2) 

  

 

 

 

$

$

$


47,580

66,612

98,015

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 


  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 


  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

     

 

 

  

 

 

   
  31,332    31,068       2,230   $212,207    

Bruce L. Rosa

  

 

 

 

 

 


  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

5,334

11,334

14,400

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

  

  

  

  

 

 

 

 

 


  

  

  

  

  

  

 $

$

$

 

 

 

68.12

72.67

89.29

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

Feb. 21, 2017

Feb. 26, 2018

Feb. 25, 2019

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

 

 

 

 


500

700

1,030

  

  

  

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

  

 

 

$

$

$


47,580

66,612

98,015

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

 

 

 

 


  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

 

 

 

 


  

  

  

  

  

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

     

 

 

  

 

 

   
      31,068       2,230   $212,207    

2017.
  Option Awards Stock Awards
Name 
Number
of
Securities Underlying Unexercised Options
(#)
Exercisable
 
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options
(#)
Unexercisable
 
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options
(#)
 
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
 Option Expiration Date 
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
(#)
 
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
($)
 
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested
(#)
 
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested
($)
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j)
John B. Gerlach, Jr. 17,830
(1) 
 8,916
(1) 
 
 $91.13 Feb 24, 2020
 
  
 
 
  9,112
(3) 
 18,225
(3) 
 
 $101.70 Feb 23, 2021
 
  
 
 
  
  21,984
(5) 
 
 $135.06 Feb 21, 2022
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 1,627
(7) 
 $199,503 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 1,721
(8) 
 $211,029 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 1,555
(9) 
 $190,674 
 
  26,942
  49,125
   
  
  
 4,903
  $601,206  
  
David A. Ciesinski 15,902
(4) 
 31,805
(4) 
 
 $112.62 Apr 18, 2021
 
  
 
 
  
  36,640
(5) 
 
 $135.06 Feb 21, 2022
 
  
 
 
  
  10,144
(6) 
 
 $122.62 Jun 30, 2022
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 3,108
(10) 
 $381,103 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 2,591
(9) 
 $317,708 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 714
(11) 
 $87,551 
 
  15,902
  78,589
        6,413
  $786,362    
Douglas A. Fell 1,248
(2) 
 

 
 $89.29 Feb 25, 2019
 
  
 
 
  4,286
(1) 
 4,288
(1) 
 
 $91.13 Feb 24, 2020
 
  
 
 
  4,556
(3) 
 9,113
(3) 
 
 $101.70 Feb 23, 2021
 
  
 
 
  
  10,076
(5) 
 
 $135.06 Feb 21, 2022
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 780
(7) 
 $95,644 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 860
(8) 
 $105,453 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 713
(9) 
 $87,428 
 
  10,090
  23,477
   
  
  
 2,353
  $288,525  
  
___________
(1)These stock-settled stock appreciation rights were exercised by Mr. Boylan on September 3, 2014. 8,513 shares were acquired on exercise and $748,037 of value was realized on exercise.

(2)These stock-settled stock appreciation rights and shares of restricted stock were forfeited on August 31, 2014, when Mr. Boylan retired from the Corporation.

(3)(1)These stock-settled stock appreciation rights were granted on February 21, 2012 pursuant to our Amended and Restated 2005 Stock Plan. The stock-settled stock appreciation rights vest ratably over a three-year period which began on February 21, 2013, can be exercised for up to five years from the date of grant and are expected to fully vest on February 21, 2015.

(4)These stock-settled stock appreciation rights were granted on February 26, 201324, 2015 pursuant to our Amended and Restated 2005 Stock Plan. The stock-settled stock appreciation rights vest ratably over a three-year period beginning on February 26, 2014,24, 2016, can be exercised for up to five years from the date of grant and are expected to fully vest on February 26, 2016.24, 2018.

(5)
(2)These stock-settled stock appreciation rights were granted on February 25, 2014 pursuant to our Amended and Restated 2005 Stock Plan. The stock-settled stock appreciation rights vestvested ratably over a three-year period beginning on February 25, 2015, can be exercised for up to five years from the date of grant and became fully vested on February 25, 2017.


(3)These stock-settled stock appreciation rights were granted on February 23, 2016 pursuant to our 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The stock-settled stock appreciation rights vest ratably over a three-year period beginning on February 23, 2017, can be exercised for up to five years from the date of grant and are expected to fully vest on February 25, 2017.23, 2019.

(4)These stock-settled stock appreciation rights were granted on April 18, 2016 pursuant to our 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The stock-settled stock appreciation rights vest ratably over a three-year period beginning on April 18, 2017, can be exercised for up to five years from the date of grant and are expected to fully vest on April 18, 2019.
(5)These stock-settled stock appreciation rights were granted on February 21, 2017 pursuant to our 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The stock-settled stock appreciation rights vest ratably over a three-year period beginning on February 21, 2018, can be exercised for up to five years from the date of grant and are expected to fully vest on February 21, 2020.
(6)These stock-settled stock appreciation rights were granted on June 30, 2017 pursuant to our 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The stock-settled stock appreciation rights vest ratably over a three-year period beginning on June 30, 2018, can be exercised for up to five years from the date of grant and are expected to fully vest on June 30, 2020.
(7)These shares of restricted stock were granted on February 21, 201224, 2015 pursuant to our Amended and Restated 2005 Stock Plan. The restricted stock is expected to fully vest on February 21, 2015.24, 2018.

(7)
(8)These shares of restricted stock were granted on February 26, 201323, 2016 pursuant to our Amended and Restated 2005 Stock2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The restricted stock is expected to fully vest on February 26, 2016.23, 2019.

27


(8)
(9)These shares of restricted stock were granted on February 25, 201421, 2017 pursuant to our Amended and Restated 2005 Stock2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The restricted stock is expected to fully vest on February 25, 2017.21, 2020.

2014
(10)These shares of restricted stock were granted on April 18, 2016 pursuant to our 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The restricted stock is expected to fully vest on April 18, 2019.
(11)These shares of restricted stock were granted on June 30, 2017 pursuant to our 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The restricted stock is expected to fully vest on June 30, 2020.


2017 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

   Option Awards   Stock Awards 
Name  

Number of
Shares

Acquired on
Exercise (#)

  Value Realized
on Exercise ($)
   

Number of
Shares

Acquired on
Vesting (#)

  Value Realized
on Vesting ($)
 

(a)

  (b)(1)  (c)(1)   (d)(2)  (e)(2) 

John B. Gerlach, Jr.

                  

John L. Boylan

   5,332(3)  $506,327     500(3)  $44,505  

Bruce L. Rosa

   4,668(3)  $438,372     567(3)(4)  $50,557  

  Option Awards Stock Awards
Name 
Number of Shares
Acquired on
Exercise (#)
 Value Realized on Exercise ($) 
Number of Shares
Acquired on
Vesting (#)
 Value Realized on Vesting ($)
(a) 
(b)(1)
 
(c)(1)
 
(d)(2)
 
(e)(2)
John B. Gerlach, Jr. 
  
 
  
David A. Ciesinski 
  
 
  
Douglas A. Fell 
  
 265
(3) 
 $35,473
___________
(1)The amounts reported in columns (b) and (c) reflect the exercise during fiscal year 20142017 of stock-settled stock appreciation rights by the named executive officers. The amounts reported in column (c) were computed using the aggregate number of rights exercised and the closing price of our shares on the respective dates of exercise.

(2)The amounts reported in columns (d) and (e) reflect the vesting during fiscal year 20142017 of restricted stock awards for the named executive officers. The amounts reported in column (e) were computed using the number of shares acquired on vesting and the closing price of our shares on the respective date of vesting.

(3)Shares reported reflect gross shares before tax settlement. Shares were withheld sufficient to cover the applicable taxes due upon exercise or vesting.

(4)Due to his retirement eligibility, this total includes 399 shares of unvested restricted stock that vest upon the earlier of the awards’ normal vesting schedule or his retirement.

2014


2017 Pension Benefits

We do not maintain any defined benefit plans or other plans with specified retirement benefits in which our named executive officers participate.

2014


2017 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table

This table shows certain information for fiscal year 20142017 for each of our named executive officers under our nonqualified deferred compensation plan.

Name  

Executive
Contributions
in Last FY

($)(1)

   

Registrant
Contributions
in Last FY

($)

   

Aggregate
Earnings
in Last FY

($)(2)

   

Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions

($)

   

Aggregate
Balance

at Last FYE

($)(3)

 

(a)

  (b)   (c)   (d)   (e)   (f) 

John B. Gerlach, Jr.

  $25,000         $17,897         $576,546  

John L. Boylan

            $5,007         $157,841  

Bruce L. Rosa

  $12,500         $10,886         $349,283  

DCP.
Name 
Executive Contributions in Last FY
($)(1)
 
Registrant Contributions in Last FY
($)
 
Aggregate Earnings in Last FY
($)(2)
 
Aggregate Withdrawals/
Distributions
($)
 
Aggregate Balance at Last FYE
($)(3)
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f)
John B. Gerlach, Jr. $25,000
 
 $24,883
 
 $717,288
David A. Ciesinski 
 
 
 
 
Douglas A. Fell $48,000
 
 $16,533
 
 $491,814
___________
(1)The amounts reported for our named executive officers in this column are fully reported as part of the salary for each named executive officer in column (c) of the “2014“2017 Summary Compensation Table” above.

(2)None of the amounts reported for our named executive officers in this column are reported in the “2014“2017 Summary Compensation Table” above.



(3)The following amounts reported for our named executive officers in this column have been previously reported as compensation in our “Summary Compensation Table” included in prior years’ proxy statements: Mr. Gerlach, $162,500; Mr. Boylan, $0;$212,500 and Mr. Rosa, $106,250.Fell, $79,000.

28


For more information about our nonqualified deferred compensation plan, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” above.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

Our named executive officers may terminate employment with usthe Corporation under a number of different scenarios, including retirement, voluntary termination for good reason, voluntary termination without good reason, involuntary termination without cause, involuntary termination for cause, and termination in connection with a change in control, death andor disability. Except as discussed below, we generally limit the payments or other forms of compensation that we will provide our named executive officers when their employment with usthe Corporation is terminated to compensation elements that we provide all our employees upon termination, namely payment of any earned but unpaid salary and accrued but unpaid vacation benefits. No amounts were payable to Mr. Boylan under his severance
Employment Agreements
We have an employment agreement upon his retirement as an executive officer of the Corporation effective July 1, 2014.

During fiscal year 2014, we were a party to Key Employee Severance Agreements with Mr. Boylan and Mr. RosaCiesinski that provideprovides for themhim to receive certain cash payments and other benefits if theirhis employment with us is terminated by us other than for cause or they resign for good reason within one year of a change in control of ourwith the Corporation. The terms “cause,” “good reason” and “change in control” are defined under these agreements.this agreement. Cause generally means the employee’s willful engagingengagement in malfeasance or felonious conduct that in any material respect impairs the reputation, goodwill or business position of ourthe Corporation or involves misappropriation of ourthe Corporation’s funds or other assets. Good reason generally means termination triggered by certain reductions in compensation, duties and responsibility and authority or certain changes in place of employment. Change in control generally means an event reportable by usthe Corporation on Form 8-K as a change in control and certain significant changes in the ownership of ourthe Corporation’s Common Stock or in the makeup of the Board.

In the event Mr. Ciesinski is terminated by the Corporation without cause, by the Corporation as a result of giving notice of non-extension of the employment agreement, or by Mr. Ciesinski for good reason, then, subject to Mr. Ciesinski signing and not revoking a release of claims against the Corporation, he will receive as severance pay the greater of:
Continued payment of his base salary for a period of twelve months, plus an amount equal to 80% of his salary in lieu of any annual incentive for the incomplete fiscal year; or
the amount due to Mr. Ciesinski under his change in control agreement to the extent any such amount becomes due (see discussion below).
Additionally, in the event Mr. Ciesinski’s termination occurs after the completion of our Board.

fiscal year but before the payment of his annual incentive, Mr. Ciesinski will be entitled to payment of his earned but unpaid annual incentive for such completed fiscal year. See further discussion below under “Potential Payments Upon suchTermination or Change in Control” for more information.

Key Employee Change in Control Agreements
We have entered into change in control agreements with Mr. Ciesinski and Mr. Fell that provide for certain cash payments and other benefits if employment is terminated with the Corporation after a change in control. The terms “cause,” “good reason” and “change in control” are defined under these agreements. Cause generally means the employee’s willful engagement in malfeasance or felonious conduct that in any material respect impairs the reputation, goodwill or business position of the Corporation or involves misappropriation of funds or other assets. Good reason generally means termination triggered by certain reductions in compensation, duties and responsibility and authority or resignation within one yearcertain changes in place of employment. Change in control generally means an event reportable by the Corporation on Form 8-K as a change in control we will payand certain significant changes in the ownership of the Corporation’s Common Stock or in the makeup of the Board.
In the event employment is terminated on or within 12 months following a change in control, either by the Corporation without cause, or by the executive for good reason, the executive would be entitled to the terminated named executive officer in a lump sum cashseverance payment an amount equal to the lessersum of:

Accrued and unpaid salary, accrued and unpaid annual incentive from any prior completed fiscal year, and a pro-rated portion of annual incentive for the current fiscal year;

three times the sum of:

the executive officer’s highest annualof Mr. Ciesinski’s base salary within the immediately preceding three full fiscal years; plus

the executive officer’s highest total his target level annual incentive paid withinfor the immediately preceding three fullcurrent fiscal years;year or

two times the executive officer’ssum of Mr. Fell’s base salary andplus his target level annual incentive paid for the immediately precedingcurrent fiscal year.

year;

We will also pay to

the terminated named executive officersum of any accrued but unpaid base salary atunvested 401(k) balance; plus two times the officer’s then-current salary rateaggregate matching contributions payable by the Corporation into the executive’s 401(k) account for the last completed calendar year; and will provide the terminated named executive officer with
continued coverage under our health, dental, long-term disability and life insurance plans in whichcoverage for two years following the named executive officer participated for one year. The terminated named executive officer has no duty to mitigate the amountexecutive’s date of benefits paid by us while seeking other employment, and the benefits are not subject to reduction for other compensation earned by the terminated named executive officer after termination.



Equity Based Compensation Plans
Upon a change in control, death or disability, all unvested restricted stock and stock-settled stock appreciation rights granted to our named executive officers under our Amended and Restated 2005 Stock Plan that are not assumed by the surviving company will vest in full. Unvested restricted stock granted under our 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan will vest in full upon a change in control either if it is not assumed by the surviving company or if it is assumed and there is a subsequent qualified termination of employment within 24 months. Unvested stock appreciation rights granted under the 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan will vest upon a change in control in a pro rata amount based upon the length of time within the vesting period that has lapsed prior to the change in control.
Upon the death or disability (as defined in our equity incentive plans) of a named executive officer, all unvested restricted stock granted to such named executive officer under our equity incentive plans will vest in full. However, unvested stock-settled stock appreciation rights granted to our named executive officers under our equity incentive plans are not subject to accelerated vesting. Such unvested stock-settled stock appreciation rights are forfeited to the Corporation for no consideration upon the death or disability of a named executive officer unless the named executive officers will vest. As stated above, upon termination of employment for any reason regarding Mr. Gerlach, he would be entitled to his earned unpaid salary as well as his accrued unpaid vacation benefits.

officer is retirement-eligible.

Tabular Disclosure. The tables below summarize the estimated amounts of payments or compensation our named executive officers may receive under particular termination scenarios. The amounts shown in the tables belowthis section assume the named executive officer is terminated as of June 30, 20142017 and the price per share of our common shares equals $95.16,$122.62, which was the closing price of our common shares on June 30, 2014,2017, as reported on Nasdaq.the Nasdaq Global Select Market. Actual amounts we may pay to any named executive officer upon termination of employment, however, can only be determined at the time of such named executive officer’s actual termination.

29


John B. Gerlach, Jr.Jr. The following table shows the potential payments upon termination under various circumstances for John B. Gerlach, Jr., our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and President.Officer.

Benefits and Payments Upon Termination

 Retirement
on 06/30/14
  Termination
Without
Cause or for
Good
Reason on
06/30/14
  Termination
for Cause or
Without
Good
Reason on
06/30/14
  Termination
Subsequent
to a Change
in Control
on 06/30/14
  Termination
by Death on
06/30/14
  Termination
by Disability
on 06/30/14
 

Compensation:

  

Salary (1)

 $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $0  

Annual cash incentive compensation

 $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $0  

Long-term equity-based incentive compensation

 $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $0  

Base salary and average annual incentive compensation lump sum

 $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $0  

Stock options

 $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $0  

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

 $1,376,510   $1,376,510   $1,376,510   $1,376,510   $1,376,510   $1,376,510  

Deferred Compensation Plan

 $576,546   $576,546   $576,546   $576,546   $576,546   $576,546  

Benefits and Perquisites:

  

Health, disability and life insurance

 $0   $0   $0   $0   $150,000   $150,000(3) 

Total

 $1,953,056   $1,953,056   $1,953,056   $1,953,056   $2,103,056   $2,103,056  

  Retirement on Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason on Termination for Cause or Without Good Reason on Termination Subsequent to a Change in Control on Termination by Death on Termination by Disability on
Benefits and Payments Upon Termination 06/30/2017 06/30/2017 06/30/2017 06/30/2017 06/30/2017 06/30/2017
Compensation: 
Salary (1)
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 
Annual cash incentive compensation $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 
Base salary and average annual incentive compensation lump sum $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 
Restricted stock (2)
 $
 $401,703
 $
 $601,206
 $601,206
 $601,206
 
Stock Appreciation Rights (2)
 $
 $571,777
 $
 $1,096,223
 $
 $
 
Employee Stock Ownership Plan $1,935,611
 $1,935,611
 $1,935,611
 $1,935,611
 $1,935,611
 $1,935,611
 
Deferred Compensation Plan $717,288
 $717,288
 $717,288
 $717,288
 $717,288
 $717,288
 
Benefits and Perquisites: 
Health, disability and life insurance $
 $
 $
 $
 $150,000
 $150,000
(3) 
Total $2,652,899
 $3,626,379
 $2,652,899
 $4,350,328
 $3,404,105
 $3,404,105
 


John L. Boylan.David A. Ciesinski. The following table shows the potential payments upon termination under various circumstances for John L. Boylan,David A. Ciesinski, our Treasurer, Vice President Assistant Secretary and Chief FinancialOperating Officer in 2014.

Benefits and Payments Upon Termination

 Retirement
on 06/30/14
  Termination
Without
Cause or for
Good
Reason on
06/30/14
  Termination
for Cause
or Without
Good
Reason on
06/30/14
  Termination
Subsequent
to a Change
in Control
on 06/30/14
  Termination
by Death on
06/30/14
  Termination
by Disability
on 06/30/14
 

Compensation:

  

Salary (1)

 $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $0  

Annual cash incentive compensation

 $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $0  

Long-term equity-based incentive compensation

 $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $0  

Base salary and average annual incentive compensation lump sum (2)

 $0   $0   $0   $925,425   $0   $0  

Restricted stock

 $0   $0   $0   $212,207   $212,207   $212,207  

Stock options

 $0   $0   $0   $483,508   $483,508   $483,508  

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

 $586,552   $586,552   $586,552   $586,552   $586,552   $586,552  

Deferred Compensation Plan

 $157,841   $157,841   $157,841   $157,841   $157,841   $157,841  

Benefits and Perquisites:

  

Health, disability and life insurance

 $0   $0   $0   $23,178   $150,000   $150,000 (3) 

Total

 $744,393   $744,393   $744,393   $2,388,711   $1,590,108   $1,590,108  

Mr. Boylan retired from his position as Treasurer, Viceand President Assistant Secretary and Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation effective July 1, 2014. Accordingly, only the amounts set forth in the “Retirement” column of this table are applicable to Mr. Boylan’s voluntary termination in connection with his retirement.

30


our specialty foods subsidiary, T. Marzetti Company.

  Retirement on Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason on Termination for Cause or Without Good Reason on Termination Subsequent to a Change in Control on Termination by Death on Termination by Disability on
Benefits and Payments Upon Termination 06/30/2017 06/30/2017 06/30/2017 06/30/2017 06/30/2017 06/30/2017
Compensation:              
Salary (1)
 $
 $
 $
 $
  $
 $
 
Annual cash incentive compensation $
 $
 $
 $
  $
 $
 
Base salary and average annual incentive compensation lump sum (4)
 $
 $1,107,000
 $
 $3,321,000
  $
 $
 
Restricted stock (2)
 $
 $786,362
 $
 $786,362
  $786,362
 $786,362
 
Stock Appreciation Rights (2)
 $
 $476,992
 $
 $185,524
  $
 $
 
Employee Stock Ownership Plan $
 $
 $
 $
  $
 $
 
Deferred Compensation Plan $
 $
 $
 $
  $
 $
 
Benefits and Perquisites:              
Health, disability and life insurance $
 $
 $
 $50,056
(5) 
 $150,000
 $150,000
(3) 
Total $
 $2,370,354
 $
 $4,342,942
  $936,362
 $936,362
 
Bruce L. Rosa.Douglas A. Fell. The following table shows the potential payments upon termination under various circumstances for Bruce L. Rosa, President ofDouglas A. Fell, our T. Marzetti Company andTreasurer, Vice President, – Development.Assistant Secretary and Chief Financial Officer.

Benefits and Payments Upon Termination

 Retirement
on 06/30/14
  Termination
Without
Cause or for
Good
Reason on
06/30/14
  Termination
for Cause or
Without
Good
Reason on
06/30/14
  Termination
Subsequent
to a Change
in Control
on 06/30/14
  Termination
by Death on
06/30/14
  Termination
by Disability
on 06/30/14
 

Compensation:

  

Salary (1)

 $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $0  

Annual cash incentive compensation

 $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $0  

Long-term equity-based incentive compensation

 $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $0  

Base salary and average annual incentive compensation lump sum (2)

 $0   $0   $0   $823,706   $0   $0  

Restricted stock

 $35,604   $0   $0   $212,207   $212,207   $212,207  

Stock options

 $0   $0   $0   $483,508   $483,508   $483,508  

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

 $1,188,620   $1,188,620   $1,188,620   $1,188,620   $1,188,620   $1,188,620  

Deferred Compensation Plan

 $349,283   $349,283   $349,283   $349,283   $349,283   $349,283  

Benefits and Perquisites:

  

Health, disability and life insurance

 $0   $0   $0   $20,490   $150,000   $150,000(3) 

Total

 $1,573,507   $1,537,903   $1,537,903   $3,077,814   $2,383,618   $2,383,618  

  Retirement on Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason on Termination for Cause or Without Good Reason on Termination Subsequent to a Change in Control on Termination by Death on Termination by Disability on
Benefits and Payments Upon Termination 06/30/2017 06/30/2017 06/30/2017 06/30/2017 06/30/2017 06/30/2017
Compensation: 
Salary (1)
 $
 $
 $
 $
  $
 $
 
Annual cash incentive compensation $
 $
 $
 $
  $
 $
 
Base salary and average annual incentive compensation lump sum (6)
 $
 $
 $
 $1,469,400
  $
 $
 
Restricted stock (2)
 $
 $192,881
 $
 $288,525
  $288,525
 $288,525
 
Stock Appreciation Rights (2)
 $
 $285,950
 $
 $438,489
  $
 $
 
Employee Stock Ownership Plan $160,525
 $160,525
 $160,525
 $160,525
  $160,525
 $160,525
 
Deferred Compensation Plan $491,814
 $491,814
 $491,814
 $491,814
  $491,814
 $491,814
 
401(k) (7)
 $
 $
 $
 $7,379
  $
 $
 
Benefits and Perquisites: 
Health, disability and life insurance $
 $
 $
 $60,268
(8) 
 $150,000
 $150,000
(3) 
Total $652,339
 $1,131,170
 $652,339
 $2,916,400
  $1,090,864
 $1,090,864
 
___________
(1)Assumes, as of June 30, 2014,2017, the amount of base salary payable to the named executive officers for services rendered during fiscal year 20142017 has been paid.

(2)ForUpon a termination subsequent to a changeby the Corporation without cause or by the grantee for good reason, unvested restricted stock awards and stock appreciation rights vest in control, these amounts represent a lump sum cash payment in an amount equal tofull under the sum of2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan but are forfeited under the executive officer’s highest annual salary within the immediately preceding three full fiscal years ($491,725 for Mr. BoylanAmended and $457,950 for Mr. Rosa) plus the executive officer’s highest total annual cash incentive paid within the immediately preceding three full fiscal years ($433,700 for Mr. Boylan and $365,756 for Mr. Rosa) paid pursuant to the Key Employee Severance Agreements discussed above.Restated 2005 Stock Plan.

(3)These amounts reflect an assumption that the officer will receive the maximum available disability payment.

31


(4)For a termination without cause or for good reason, this amount is equal to the sum of Mr. Ciesinski’s salary ($615,000) plus his target level annual incentive for the current fiscal year ($492,000), for a total of $1,107,000, pursuant to his Employment Agreement discussed above. For a termination subsequent to a change in control, this amount is equal to three times the sum of Mr. Ciesinski’s salary ($615,000) plus his target level annual incentive for the current fiscal year ($492,000), for a total of $3,321,000, pursuant to his Change in Control Agreement discussed above.
(5)For a termination subsequent to a change in control, this amount is equal to the estimated cost of continued health, dental, long-term disability and life insurance coverage for two years following Mr. Ciesinski’s date of termination.
(6)For a termination subsequent to a change in control, this amount is equal to two times the sum of Mr. Fell’s salary ($405,000) plus his target level annual incentive for the current fiscal year ($329,700), for a total of $1,469,400, pursuant to his Change in Control Agreement discussed above.
(7)For a termination subsequent to a change in control, this amount is equal to two times the aggregate matching contributions payable into Mr. Fell’s 401(k) account for the last completed calendar year.
(8)For a termination subsequent to a change in control, this amount is equal to the estimated cost of continued health, dental, long-term disability and life insurance coverage for two years following Mr. Fell’s date of termination.



COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

2014

2017 Director Compensation Table

The following table summarizes compensation earned during the 2014 fiscal year2017 by our nonemployee directors:

Name

(a)

  Fees Earned  or
Paid in
Cash
($)(1)
(b)
   Stock
Awards
($)(2)
(c)
   All Other
Compensation
($)(3)
(g)
   Total
($)
(h)
 

James B. Bachmann

  $96,500    $69,984    $6,265    $172,749  

Neeli Bendapudi

  $68,000    $69,984    $6,265    $144,249  

Kenneth L. Cooke

  $71,000    $69,984    $6,265    $147,249  

Robert L. Fox

  $71,000    $69,984    $6,265    $147,249  

Alan F. Harris

  $75,500    $69,984    $6,265    $151,749  

Edward H. Jennings

  $78,500    $69,984    $6,265    $154,749  

Zuheir Sofia

  $80,500    $69,984    $6,265    $156,749  

Name 
Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
($)(1)
 
Stock
Awards
($)(2)
 
All Other
Compensation
($)(3)
 
Total
($)
(a) (b) (c) (g) (h)
James B. Bachmann $110,000
 $94,910
 $4,991
 $209,901
Neeli Bendapudi $90,000
 $94,910
 $4,991
 $189,901
William H. Carter $90,000
 $94,910
 $4,991
 $189,901
Kenneth L. Cooke $97,500
 $94,910
 $4,991
 $197,401
Robert L. Fox $92,500
 $94,910
 $4,991
 $192,401
Alan F. Harris $97,500
 $94,910
 $4,991
 $197,401
Robert P. Ostryniec $82,500
 $94,910
 $4,991
 $182,401
Zuheir Sofia $102,500
 $94,910
 $4,991
 $202,401
___________
(1)The amounts shown in column (b) represent compensation amounts discussed in the narrative below.

(2)The amounts reported in column (c) reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock received by each of our directors, which was computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The assumptions used in determining these valuations are the same as those used in our financial statements. For fiscal 2014,2017, those assumptions can be found in footnote 711 to the financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014.2017. The nonemployee directors had restricted stock awards outstanding as of June 30, 20142017 for the following number of shares: Mr. Bachmann, 829;683; Ms. Bendapudi, 829;683; Mr. Carter, 683; Mr. Cooke, 829;683; Mr. Fox, 829;683; Mr. Harris, 829;683; Mr. Jennings, 829;Ostryniec, 683; and Mr. Sofia, 829.683. Each nonemployee director received a grant of restricted stock for fiscal 20142017 as follows: 829683 shares on November 18, 201321, 2016 under our Amended and Restated 2005 Stock2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan. This grant of restricted stock will vest on November 18, 2014.21, 2017.

(3)The amounts shown in column (g) represent dividends paid on restricted stock awards that vested during fiscal 2014.2017, which included the December 2015 special dividend of $5.00 per share that was held in escrow until the restricted stock vested.


Our Compensation Committee reviews the level of compensation of our nonemployee directors on an annual basis. We have historically obtained data from a number of different sources to determine the appropriateness of the current level of compensation for our nonemployee directors, including:

Publicly available data describing director compensation at companies in our peer group;

Data collected by our corporate administration; and

Information obtained directly from other companies.

We compensate our nonemployee directors through a mix of cash and equity-based compensation. Except as noted in the footnotes above, our nonemployee directors received quarterly cash retainers at the following compensationannual rates for fiscal year 2014:

2017:

a quarterly retainer paid at an annual rate of $50,000;

$75,000;

a $1,500 fee for participation in each official meeting of the Board or Committee of the Board (including ad hoc committees);

an additional quarterly retainer paid at an annual rate of $10,000$15,000 for the Chair of the Audit Committee;

an additional quarterly retainer paid at an annual rate of $6,000$12,500 for the Chair of the Compensation Committee;

an additional quarterly retainer paid at an annual rate of $5,000$10,000 for the Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee;

32


an additional quarterly retainer paid at an annual rate of $20,000$7,500 for Committee Members;

$20,000 for the Lead Independent Director; and

a grant of 829683 shares of restricted stock to each nonemployee director, with a market value of approximately $70,000$95,000 at the time of the grant.

We also reimburse expenses incurred by our nonemployee directors to attend Board and committee meetings. Directors who are also our employees do not receive cash or equity compensation for services on our Board in addition to compensation payable for their services as employees.

The grant of restricted stock was made on November 18, 201321, 2016 pursuant to the terms of our Amended and Restated 2005 Stock2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The restricted stock vests one year from the grant date, or earlier upon a change in control of the Corporation, or the death or disability of the recipient. Dividends on the shares of restricted stock are held in escrow until the shares vest. The value of the grant was determined based on the recommendation of the Compensation Committee of an annual grant of restricted stock with a market value of approximately $70,000.

$95,000.



In 2012, the Board adopted and implemented share ownership guidelines to further align the interests of the Corporation’s independent directors and the Corporation’s shareholders. EachThese were updated in 2016 to require each independent director shouldto own common shares of the Corporation with a value equal to at least threefour times the annual cash retainer for independent directors. These new requirements were effective beginning in fiscal 2017. Each director to whom this policy applies shall have until the later of five years from the date of adoption of this policy or five years from the date such director became subject to this policy to achieve the applicable guideline level of ownership. All of the Corporation’s independent directors except Mr. Carter have met the guidelines.

33


Mr. Carter is not required to meet the guidelines until November 2020.

Equity Compensation Plan Information Table

The following table contains information as of June 30, 20142017 regarding the Corporation’s 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan and the Amended and Restated 2005 Stock Plan:

Equity Compensation Plan Information

Plan category

  Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights

(a)
  Weighted-average
exercise price  of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights

(b)
   Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance  under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities

reflected in column (a))
(c)
 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

   69,290(1)  $76.75     1,604,863(1) 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

              

Total

   69,290   $76.75     1,604,863  

Plan category 
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
(a)
 
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
(b)
 
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
(c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders 70,153
(1) 
 $109.70
 1,306,262
(1) 
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders 
  
 
 
Total 70,153
  $109.70
 1,306,262
 
___________
(1)These amounts assume outstanding stock-settled stock appreciation rights conversion at the June 30, 20142017 closing price of $95.16$122.62 for the determination of the number of shares to be issued upon exercise of the rights.


COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

Ms. Bendapudi and Messrs. Cooke, Fox, Jennings, and Sofia and Ms. Bendapudi served on the Compensation Committee during fiscal 2014.2017. None of the members of the Compensation Committee during fiscal 20142017 had at any time been an officer or employee of the Corporation or of any of its subsidiaries. None of the members of the Compensation Committee during fiscal 20142017 had any related person transaction with the Corporation required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K. No executive officer of the Corporation served as a member of the compensation committee or board of directors of any other entity that had an executive officer serving as a member of the Board or Compensation Committee during fiscal 20142017 such that the service would constitute an interlock under Item 407(e)(4) of Regulation S-K.


COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The following report has been submitted by the Compensation Committee:

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Corporation’s Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management. Based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Corporation’s definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the Annual Meeting, which is incorporated by reference in the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014,2017, each as filed with the SEC.

The foregoing report was submitted by the Compensation Committee and shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A promulgated by the SEC or Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Respectfully submitted,

Edward H. Jennings,

Zuheir Sofia, Chairperson

Neeli Bendapudi

Kenneth L. Cooke
Robert L. Fox

Zuheir Sofia

34




PROPOSAL TWO

NON-BINDING VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF THE CORPORATION’S

NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

As required under Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, we are asking you to cast an advisory (non-binding) vote on the following resolution at the 20142017 Annual Meeting:

RESOLVED, that, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and related narratives and descriptions of our Proxy Statement for the 20142017 Annual Meeting, is hereby APPROVED.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” this proposal by executing and returning the enclosed proxy card.

This advisory vote, commonly known as a “Say-on-Pay” vote, gives you the opportunity to express your views about the compensation we pay to our named executive officers, as described in this Proxy Statement. The Board has determined that this advisory vote of our shareholders should occur annually. The Board believes that our executive compensation program is designed appropriately and working effectively to ensure that we compensate our named executive officers for the achievement of annual and long-term performance goals enhancing shareholder value. Before you vote, please review the “Executive Summary” section, as well as the rest of our Compensation Discussion and Analysis above and the tabular and narrative disclosure that follows the Compensation Discussion and Analysis. These sections describe our named executive officer pay programs and the rationale behind the decisions made by our Compensation Committee. The next shareholder advisory vote with respect to the compensation of our executive officers is expected to occur at our 20152018 Annual Meeting.

You may vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” the resolution or abstain from voting on the resolution. The result of the Say-on-Pay vote will not be binding on us or our Board. However, the Board values the views of the Corporation’s shareholders. The Board and Compensation Committee will review the results of the vote and take them into consideration in addressing future compensation policies and decisions.




PROPOSAL THREE

NON-BINDING VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE NON-BINDING VOTES ON THE COMPENSATION OF THE CORPORATION’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

As required under Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, we are also asking you to cast an advisory (non-binding) vote recommending the frequency with which we should hold future shareholder advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers.
This advisory vote, commonly known as a “Frequency” or “Say-When-on-Pay” vote, gives you the opportunity to express your views about how frequently (but at least once every three years) we should conduct a Say-on-Pay vote. You may vote for future Say-on-Pay votes to be held every “1 YEAR,” “2 YEARS” or “3 YEARS” or abstain from voting in response to this proposal.
We believe you should vote for us to conduct annual Say-on-Pay votes (1 year). Before you vote, we encourage you to consider the following:
we think an annual Say-on-Pay vote provides shareholders with the most immediate and direct way to provide input with respect to the Corporation’s current compensation arrangements;
we believe an annual Say-on-Pay vote promotes the highest degree of transparency regarding our compensation structure;
we think an annual Say-on-Pay vote is consistent with best practices and good corporate governance; and
many shareholder advisory firms and institutional shareholders have publicly announced their support for annual Say-on-Pay votes.
Please note that shareholders are not voting to approve or disapprove the Board’s recommendation regarding this proposal. The results of the Frequency vote will be advisory and will not be binding upon us or our Board. However, we will take into account the outcome of the Frequency vote when determining how frequently we will conduct future Say-on-Pay votes, and we will disclose our frequency decision as required by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
For these reasons, the Board of Directors unanimously recommends that shareholders vote to conduct any required shareholder advisory vote on named executive officer compensation ANNUALLY (EVERY YEAR) by executing and returning the enclosed proxy card.



AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The Audit Committee is comprised solely of nonemployee directors, each of whom has been determined by the Board to be independent under the requirements of Nasdaq and SEC rules. In addition, the Board has determined that Mr. Bachmann, Mr. Carter and Mr. Cooke are each a “financial expert”experts” as defined by SEC rules. The Audit Committee held four meetings during fiscal 2014.2017. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter, which is available on the corporate governance page of the Corporation’s web site at www.lancastercolony.com.http://www.lancastercolony.com/investors/corporate-governance/governance-documents/default.aspx. Under the charter, the Audit Committee’s responsibilities include:

Appointment and oversight of the independent auditor;

Approval of the fees and other compensation to be paid to the Corporation’s independent auditor;

Pre-approval of all auditing services and permitted non-audit services by the Corporation’s independent auditor;

Review of the Corporation’s annual financial statements to be included in the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K;

Oversight of the review and response to complaints made to the Corporation regarding accounting, internal controls and auditing matters;

Oversight of the internal audit function; and

Review and approval of related party transactions.

Management is responsible for the Corporation’s internal controls and preparing the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements and a report on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal

35


control over financial reporting. The Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, is responsible for performing an independent audit of the consolidated financial statements and issuing a report thereon and also auditing the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and issuing a report thereon. Their audits are performed in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing the conduct of these activities and appointing the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm. In performing its oversight function, the Audit Committee relies, without independent verification, on the information provided to it and on representations made by management and the independent registered public accounting firm.

In conducting its oversight function, the Audit Committee discusses with the Corporation’s internal auditors and the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm, with and without management present, the overall scope and plans for their respective audits. The Audit Committee also reviews the Corporation’s programs and key initiatives to design, implement and maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls. The Audit Committee has sole discretion, in its areas of responsibility and at the Corporation’s expense, to engage independent advisors as it deems appropriate and to approve the fees and retention terms of such advisors.

The Audit Committee meets with the internal auditors and independent registered public accounting firm, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, the evaluations of the Corporation’s internal controls and the overall quality of the Corporation’s financial reporting. The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management and Deloitte & Touche LLP the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014.2017. The Audit Committee has also reviewed and discussed management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting with management and Deloitte & Touche LLP. The Audit Committee also reviewed and discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP its reports on the Corporation’s annual financial statements, and that the Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2014.

2017.

The Audit Committee reviewed with Deloitte & Touche LLP the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1. AU Section 380) as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3526.In addition, the Audit Committee discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP their independence from management, and the Audit Committee has received from Deloitte & Touche LLP the written disclosures and the letter required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding Deloitte & Touche LLP’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence.



Based on its review of the audited consolidated financial statements and discussions with management and Deloitte & Touche LLP, referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board the inclusion of the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 20142017 in the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for filing with the SEC.

Respectfully submitted,

James B. Bachmann, Chairperson

William H. Carter
Kenneth L. Cooke

Alan F. Harris

Edward H. Jennings

Robert P. Ostryniec

36





PROPOSAL THREE

FOUR

RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF THE CORPORATION’S

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has served as the Corporation’s independent auditors since 1961 and audited the consolidated financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2014.2017. The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment of the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm and has appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP to audit the Corporation’s financial statements for the year ending June 30, 2015.2018. Although it is not required to do so, the Audit Committee has determined to submit its selection of the independent registered public accounting firm to the Corporation’s shareholders for ratification of its action as a matter of good corporate governance. In the event that Deloitte & Touche LLP is not ratified by the holders of a majority of the shares cast at the Annual Meeting, the Audit Committee will evaluate such shareholder vote when considering the selection of an independent registered public accounting firm to serve as the Corporation’s auditors for the 20162019 fiscal year.

Representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firmfor the year ending June 30, 20152018 by executing and returning the enclosed proxy card.


AUDIT AND RELATED FEES

The following table recaps Deloitte & Touche LLP fees pertaining to the fiscal years ended June 30, 20142017 and 2013:

   2014   2013 

Audit Fees

  $1,262,000    $1,352,000  

Audit-Related Fees

          

Tax Fees

          

All Other Fees

          

Total Fees

  $1,262,000    $1,352,000  

2016:

  2017 2016
Audit Fees $1,240,000
 $1,254,000
Audit-Related Fees(1)
 284,550
 
Tax Fees 
 
All Other Fees 
 
Total Fees $1,524,550
 $1,254,000
___________
(1)The 2017 fees primarily relate to audit-related work associated with the acquisition of Angelic in November 2016.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

The Audit Committee has established a policy regarding review and pre-approval of all audit and non-audit services expected to be performed by the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm. When considering requests for non-audit services, the Audit Committee evaluates whether the proposed engagement risks compromise the accounting firm’s independence by specifically considering the volume of the proposed non-audit services and whether those non-audit services are likely to cause the accounting firm to function in a management role, to be put in the position of auditing its own work, or to serve in an advocacy role for the Corporation. Absent strong countervailing considerations, the Audit Committee will generally not approve non-audit services if the aggregate fees for non-audit services for the year will exceed the aggregate fees for audit services, audit-related services and tax compliance services for the year. The policy also prohibits the Corporation’s accounting firm from providing certain services described in the policy as prohibited services.

Generally, requests for non-audit services are submitted in writing to the Audit Committee by the Corporation’s officer or employee requesting such services, along with specific supporting information described in the policy. Typically, the Audit Committee will approve non-audit services provided by the accounting firm that are closely related to the audit services, audit-related services and tax compliance services already being provided by the accounting firm, including due diligence services, subject to the fee policy described above. Between Audit Committee meetings, any two Audit Committee members may review and approve requests for non-audit services in accordance with the policy that are budgeted for $50,000 or less, provided that the pre-approval is reported not later than the next meeting of the Audit Committee.

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The Audit Committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures for non-audit services are described in the “Statement of Policy of the Audit Committee of Lancaster Colony Corporation Pre-Approval of Engagements With the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for Non-Audit Services,” which is attached to the Corporation’s Audit Committee charter as Appendix A. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014,2017, all of the services described above were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.




CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The Corporation contracts with John Gerlach & Company LLP, an accounting partnership, to provide certain internal auditing, general accounting and tax services of a type generally available from an independent accounting firm. A brother-in-law of the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. T. J. Conger, is a partner with John Gerlach & Company LLP. The fees paid to John Gerlach & Company LLP for its services are determined based on the hours of work performed and are reviewed by the Audit Committee. The fees incurred for services rendered for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014 were $316,455. The Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Corporation,

Mr. John B. Gerlach, Jr., has no financial or ownership interest in John serves as a Director of the Corporation and is the Executive Chairman of the Board. He is the son of Mrs. Dareth A. Gerlach, & Company LLP.

a beneficial owner of more than five percent of the Corporation’s common stock.

The Corporation’s Audit Committee reviews and approves or ratifies any transaction between the Corporation and a “related person” (as that term is defined under Item 404 of Regulation S-K) that is required to be disclosed under the SEC’s related person transaction rules. In general, the Audit Committee charter provides that, when reviewing related person transactions, the Audit Committee will consider the following:

the nature of the related person’s interest in the transaction;

the material terms of the transaction;

the significance of the transaction to the related person;

the significance of the transaction to the Corporation;

whether the transaction would impair the judgment of a director or executive officer to act in the best interest of the Corporation; and

any other matters the Audit Committee deems appropriate.

In the event of any conflict between this related persons transaction policy and any similar policies contained in the Corporation’s Code of Business Ethics, Standards of Conduct or other corporate governance documents, the terms of the related persons transaction policy will control. This related persons transaction policy is contained in the Audit Committee charter, a current copy of which is posted on the corporate governance page of the Corporation’s web site at www.lancastercolony.com.

http://www.lancastercolony.com/investors/corporate-governance/governance-documents/default.aspx.


SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

Shareholder proposals intended to be included in the Proxy Statement for the 20152018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by the Secretary of the Corporation at its principal executive offices no later than June 12, 2015.13, 2018. In addition, under the advance notice provision of the Corporation’s Amended and Restated Code of Regulations, shareholder proposals will be considered untimely if received by the Secretary of the Corporation less than 60 days or more than 90 days before the 20152018 Annual Meeting (or, if less than 75 days’ notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the 20152018 Annual Meeting is given or made, not later than the close of business on the 15th day following the day on which such notice or disclosure of the date of the 20152018 Annual Meeting is first given or made). The advance notice provisions of our Regulations do not change the deadline noted above for inclusion of shareholder proposals in the Corporation’s Proxy Statement.

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OTHER MATTERS

As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board knows of no other business that will come before the Annual Meeting. Should any other matter requiring the vote of the shareholders arise, the enclosed proxy confers upon the proxy holders discretionary authority to vote the same in respect to the resolution of such other matters as they, in their best judgment, believe to be in the interest of the Corporation. For information on how to obtain directions to be able to attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person, please contact the Corporation’s Secretary at 37 West Broad Street, Columbus,380 Polaris Parkway, Suite 400, Westerville, Ohio 4321543082 or (614) 224-7141.

224-7141 or ir@lancastercolony.com.

If you are currently a stockholder sharing an address with another of our stockholders and wish to have your future proxy statements and annual reports householded, please contact our Corporate Secretary at the above address or telephone number.



IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS

FOR THE SHAREHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 17, 201415, 2017

This Proxy Statement, the Proxy Card and the Corporation’s 20142017 Annual Report to Shareholders, which includes the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, are available free of charge at

http:https://www.proxydocs.com/lanc.materials.proxyvote.com/513847

.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
John B. Gerlach, Jr.

Executive Chairman of the Board

Chief Executive Officer

and President

October 10, 2014

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11, 2017




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October 10, 2014

Dear Lancaster Colony Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan Participant:

Pursuant to Section 5.9 of the Lancaster Colony Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust Agreement (the “Plan”), you are entitled to instruct Huntington Trust Company, N.A., as trustee under the Plan (the “Trustee”), as to the manner in which the Lancaster Colony Corporation shares of stock allocated to your individual account under the Plan are to be voted as well as a pro-rata portion (in the proportion that the number of shares allocated to your account under the Plan bears to the total number of shares in the Plan) of the shares allocated to other participants’ accounts under the Plan who do not provide instructions to the Trustee (“uninstructed shares”). The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Lancaster Colony Corporation will be held on November 17, 2014 (see enclosed “Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders”). The matters which are anticipated to come before the shareholders and require shareholder action are set forth in the enclosed Proxy Statement.The Board of Directors of Lancaster Colony Corporation recommends that you vote in favor of proposals 1, 2 and 3. Consequently, please indicate your confidential voting instructions to the Trustee for the:

1.Election of Directors
___VOTE ALL SHARES of Lancaster Colony Corporation stock allocated to your individual account under the Plan together with a pro-rata portion of uninstructed sharesFOR all Nominees listed under the section titled “Proposal One — Nomination and Election of Directors — Nominees for Term to Expire in 2017” of the Proxy Statement, enclosed.
OR:
___WITHHOLD VOTE OF ALL SHARES of Lancaster Colony Corporation stock allocated to your individual account under the Plan together with a pro-rata portion of uninstructed sharesFROM all Nominees listed under the section titled “Proposal One — Nomination and Election of Directors — Nominees for Term to Expire in 2017” of the Proxy Statement, enclosed.
OR:
___

VOTE ALL SHARES of Lancaster Colony Corporation stock allocated to your individual account under the Plan together with a pro-rata portion of uninstructed sharesFOR all Nominees listed under the section titled “Proposal One — Nomination and Election of Directors — Nominees for Term to Expire in 2017” of the Proxy Statement, enclosed,EXCEPT WITHHOLD VOTE from the following nominee(s):

2.

Advisory Vote on Named Executive Officer Compensation

___VOTE ALL SHARES of Lancaster Colony Corporation stock allocated to your individual account under the Plan together with a pro-rata portion of uninstructed sharesFOR the resolution approving, on a non-binding basis, the compensation of the Corporation’s named executive officers.
OR:
___VOTE ALL SHARES of Lancaster Colony Corporation stock allocated to your individual account under the Plan together with a pro-rata portion of uninstructed sharesAGAINST the resolution approving, on a non-binding basis, the compensation of the Corporation’s named executive officers.
OR:
___VOTE ALL SHARES of Lancaster Colony Corporation stock allocated to your individual account under the Plan together with a pro-rata portion of uninstructed shares toABSTAIN in connection with the resolution approving, on a non-binding basis, the compensation of the Corporation’s named executive officers.

(See Reverse Side)



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3.Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
___VOTE ALL SHARES of Lancaster Colony Corporation stock allocated to your individual account under the Plan together with a pro-rata portion of uninstructed sharesFOR the ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Lancaster Colony Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending June 30, 2015.
OR:
___VOTE ALL SHARES of Lancaster Colony Corporation stock allocated to your individual account under the Plan together with a pro-rata portion of uninstructed sharesAGAINST the ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Lancaster Colony Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending June 30, 2015.
OR:
___VOTE ALL SHARES of Lancaster Colony Corporation stock allocated to your individual account under the Plan together with a pro-rata portion of uninstructed shares toABSTAIN in connection with the ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Lancaster Colony Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending June 30, 2015.
4.To Transact Such Other Business as May Properly Come Before the Annual Meeting or Any Adjournments or Postponements of the Annual Meeting
___VOTE ALL SHARES of Lancaster Colony Corporation stock allocated to your individual account under the Plan together with a pro-rata portion of uninstructed sharesFOR the approval and adoption of the proposal to transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the Annual Meeting.
OR:
___VOTE ALL SHARES of Lancaster Colony Corporation stock allocated to your individual account under the Plan together with a pro-rata portion of uninstructed sharesAGAINST the approval and adoption of the proposal to transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the Annual Meeting.
OR:
___VOTE ALL SHARES of Lancaster Colony Corporation stock allocated to your individual account under the Plan together with a pro-rata portion of uninstructed shares toABSTAIN in connection with the approval and adoption of the proposal to transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the Annual Meeting.

Please check only one of the above for each matter to be voted upon and then sign and return this form to the Trustee in the enclosed postage prepaid envelope.

NOTE: If no instructions are received from you by the Trustee by November 12, 2014, all such Lancaster Colony Corporation shares shall be voted by the Trustee as described in the first paragraph of this form.

Very truly yours,

Lancaster Colony Corporation

Employee Stock Ownership Plan Committee

DateParticipant’s Signature

Enclosures

Print Name



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ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF

LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION

November 17, 2014

PROXY VOTING INSTRUCTIONS

INTERNET - Access “www.voteproxy.com” and follow the on-screen instructions or scan the QR code with your smartphone. Have your proxy card available when you access the web page.

LOGO

Vote online until 11:59 PM EST the day before the meeting.

MAIL - Sign, date and mail your proxy card in the envelope provided as soon as possible.

IN PERSON - You may vote your shares in person by attending the Annual Meeting.

GO GREEN- e-Consent makes it easy to go paperless. With e-Consent, you can quickly access your proxy material, statements and other eligible documents online, while reducing costs, clutter and paper waste. Enroll today via www.amstock.com to enjoy online access.

COMPANY NUMBER
ACCOUNT NUMBER

NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS: The Notice of Meeting, Proxy Statement, Annual Report and Proxy Card are available at http://www.proxydocs.com/lanc

$        Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope providedIF you are not voting via the Internet.        $

¢    20333000000000000000    6111714

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES AND “FOR” PROPOSALS 2 AND 3.

PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE  x

FORAGAINSTABSTAIN

1.    To elect three directors, each for a term that expires in 2017:

2.    To approve, by non-binding vote, the compensation of the Corporation’s named executive officers:

¨¨¨

¨

FOR ALL NOMINEES

NOMINEES:

O  Robert L. Fox

O  John B. Gerlach, Jr.

O  Robert P. Ostryniec

3.    To ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending June 30, 2015:

¨¨¨

¨

WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEES

4.    To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the Annual Meeting.

¨

FOR ALL EXCEPT

(See instructions below)

THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER(S). IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED “FOR” EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES NAMED HEREIN, AND “FOR” PROPOSALS 2 AND 3. IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO TAKE ACTION AND VOTE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR JUDGMENT UPON SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING, OR AT ANY AND ALL ADJOURNMENTS OR POSTPONEMENTS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING.

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. WE WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR PROMPTLY VOTING, SIGNING, DATING AND RETURNING THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE OR BY VOTING AT WWW.VOTEPROXY.COM.

INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark“FOR ALL EXCEPT” and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here:   l

To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method.

¨

Signature of Shareholder Date: Signature of Shareholder Date: 

¢

Note:     Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.

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¨¢

LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION

37 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION

Notice of the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on November 17, 2014

The undersigned hereby appoints Matthew R. Shurte, Douglas A. Fell, and David M. Segal, or any of them separately, as proxies of the undersigned, each with the power of substitution, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated herein, all the shares of common stock of Lancaster Colony Corporation held of record by the undersigned at the close of business on September 19, 2014 that the undersigned would be entitled to vote, and to exercise all of the powers that the undersigned would be entitled to exercise as a shareholder, if personally present, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in the Edna Boies Hopkins meeting room at The Hilton Columbus Downtown, 401 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215 at 11:30 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, on November 17, 2014, or at any and all adjournments or postponements of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side)

¢14475¢



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