Major Food Supplier Partners With Pittsburgh Sports Team

PITTSBURGH, PA — A big change is coming to PNC Park as of Tuesday.

As the Pirates prepare to play the defending Wold Series Champions Los Angeles Dodgers at the stadium, fans will notice a large Del Monte sign on the left-field wall.

In a new multi-year agreement, Del Monte also will begin sponsoring the Pirates' grounds crew and in-game activitations.

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

"Sports are woven into the identity of Pittsburgh, and the Pirates have been part of that story for generations," Del Monte vice president Michael Buesink said in a statement.

"We're excited to mean so much to a team to our employees and the community."

Del Monte Foods' history in Pittsburgh dates back to 2002, when the company acquired several well-known brands, including StarKist, 9 Lives and Nature's Goodness, from the Pittsburgh-based Heinz Co. - now the Kraft-Heinz Co.

Del Monte Foods maintains its regional and foods division operational hub in the Pittsburgh area, located in Penn Center West in Robinson Township. The company's commercial and financial operations are based here.