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  Exhibit 10.9    
    


 
    EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT    
    


        THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of January 4, 2016, by
and between B&G FOODS, INC. (hereinafter the "Corporation") and ERIC H. HART (hereinafter
"Executive"). 


        WHEREAS,
subject to the terms of this Agreement, Corporation desires to employ Executive as Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer, and Executive
desires to accept such employment. 


        NOW
THEREFORE, in consideration of the material advantages accruing to the two parties and the mutual covenants contained herein, the Corporation and Executive agree with each other as
follows 


        1.    Effective Date.    For purposes of this Agreement, the "Effective
Date" shall mean January 4, 2016. 



        2.    Employment.    Executive will render full-time professional services to the Corporation and, as directed by the
Corporation, to its subsidiaries or other Affiliates (as defined in Paragraph 3 below), in the capacity of Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer under
the terms and conditions of this Agreement. He will at all times, faithfully, industriously and to the best of his ability, perform all duties that may be required of him by virtue of his position as
Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer and in accordance with the directions and mandates of the Board of Directors of the Corporation. It is understood that
these duties shall be substantially the same as those of an executive vice president of human resources and chief human resources officer of a similar business corporation engaged in a similar
enterprise. Executive is hereby vested with authority to act on behalf of the Corporation in keeping with policies adopted by the Board of Directors, as amended from time to time. Executive shall
report to the President and Chief Executive Officer (hereinafter the "Chief Executive Officer") and the Board of Directors. 


        3.    Services to Subsidiaries or Other Affiliates.    The Corporation and Executive understand and agree that if and
when the Corporation so directs, Executive shall also provide services to any subsidiary or other Affiliate (as defined below) by virtue of his employment under this Agreement. If so directed,
Executive agrees to serve as Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer of such subsidiary or other Affiliate of the Corporation, as a condition of his employment
under this Agreement, and upon the termination of his employment under this Agreement, Executive shall no longer provide such services to the subsidiary or other Affiliate. The parties recognize and
agree that Executive shall perform such services as part of his overall professional services to the Corporation but that in certain circumstances approved by the Corporation he may receive additional
compensation from such subsidiary or other Affiliate. For purposes of this Agreement, an "Affiliate" is any corporation or other entity that is controlled by, controlling or under common control with
the Corporation. "Control" means the direct or indirect beneficial ownership of at least fifty (50%) percent interest in the income of such corporation or entity, or the power to elect at least fifty
(50%) percent of the directors of such corporation or entity, or such other relationship which in fact constitutes actual control. 


        4.    Term of Agreement.    The initial term of Executive's employment under this Agreement shall commence on the
Effective Date and end on December 31, 2016; provided that unless notice of termination has been provided in accordance with Paragraph 7(a) at least sixty (60) days prior to the
expiration of the initial term or any additional twelve (12) month term (as provided below), or unless this Agreement is otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement,
this Agreement shall automatically be extended for additional twelve (12) month periods (the "Term"). 


        5.    Base Compensation.    During the Term, in consideration for the services as Executive Vice President of Human
Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer required under this Agreement, the Corporation agrees to pay Executive an annual base salary of Three Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($325,000), or
such higher figure as may be determined at an annual review of his 







 

performance
and compensation by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The annual review of Executive's base salary shall be conducted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors within a reasonable time after the end of each fiscal year of the Corporation and any increase shall be retroactive to January 1st of the then current Agreement
year. The amount of annual base salary shall be payable in equal installments consistent with the Corporation's payroll payment schedule for other executive employees of the Corporation. Executive may
choose to select a portion of his compensation to be paid as deferred income through qualified plans or other programs consistent with the policy of the Corporation and subject to any and all
applicable federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. 



        6.    Other Compensation and Benefits.    During the Term, in addition to his base salary, the Corporation shall
provide Executive the following: 



        (a)    Incentive Compensation.    



          (i)  Annual Bonus Plan.    Executive shall participate in the Company's annual bonus plan (the
"Annual Bonus Plan"), as shall be adopted and/or modified from time to time by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee. Annual Bonus Plan
awards are calculated as a percentage of Executive's base salary on the December 31st closest to the last day of the Annual Bonus Plan performance period. The percentages
of base salary that Executive is currently eligible to receive in accordance with the Annual Bonus Plan based on performance range from 0% at "Threshold" to 60% at "Target" and to 120% at "Maximum,"
as such terms are defined in the Annual Bonus Plan. Annual Bonus Plan awards are payable no later than the 15th day of the third month following the end of each fiscal year of the Corporation. 



         (ii)  Long-Term Incentive Compensation.    Executive shall participate in the Company's long-term incentive plans
(the "Long-Term Incentive Plans"), as shall be adopted and/or modified from time to time by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee.
Executive shall be eligible to earn Long-Term Incentive Plan awards ("LTIAs") calculated as a percentage of Executive's base salary on the grant date of
such LTIAs, with such percentage to be determined by the Compensation Committee. LTIAs are payable no later than the 15th day of the third month following the end of the final fiscal year of
the Corporation of the applicable performance period. 


        (iii)  Other Incentive Compensation.    In addition, Executive shall be eligible to participate in all other
incentive compensation plans, if any, that may be adopted by the Corporation from time to time and with respect to which the other executive employees of the Corporation are eligible to participate. 




        (b)    Vacation.    Executive shall be entitled to five (5) weeks of compensated vacation time during each
year, to be taken at times mutually agreed upon between him and the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. Vacation accrual shall be limited to the amount stated in the Corporation's policies
currently in effect, as amended from time to time. 


        (c)    Sick Leave and Disability.    Executive shall be entitled to participate in such compensated sick leave and
disability benefit programs as are offered to the Corporation's other executive employees. 


        (d)    Medical and Dental Insurance.    Executive, his spouse, and his dependents, shall be entitled to participate in
such medical and dental insurance programs as are provided to the Corporation's other executive employees. 


        (e)    Executive Benefits And Perquisites.    Executive shall be entitled to receive all other executive benefits and
perquisites to which all other executive employees of the Corporation are entitled. 



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        (f)    Automobile and Cellular Phone.    The Corporation agrees to provide Executive with a monthly automobile
allowance of $833.33 and to provide for the use by Executive of a cellular telephone at the Corporation's expense. 


        (g)    Liability Insurance.    The Corporation agrees to insure Executive under the appropriate liability insurance
policies, in accordance with the Corporation's policies and procedures, for all acts done by him within the scope of his authority in good faith as Executive Vice President of Human Resources and
Chief Human Resources Officer throughout the Term. 


        (h)    Professional Meetings and Conferences.    Executive will be permitted to be absent from the Corporation's
facilities during working days to attend professional meetings and such continuing education programs as are necessary for Executive to maintain such professional licenses and certifications, if any,
as are required in the performance of his duties under this Agreement, and to attend to such outside professional duties as have been mutually agreed upon between him and the
Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. Attendance at such approved meetings and programs and accomplishment of approved professional duties shall be fully compensated service time and shall not
be considered vacation time. The Corporation shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable expenses incurred by him incident to attendance at approved professional meetings and continuing education
programs, and such reasonable entertainment expenses incurred by Executive in furtherance of the Corporation's interests; provided,  however, that such
reimbursement is approved by the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. 


        (i)    Registration Fees and Professional Dues.    The Corporation shall reimburse Executive for registration fees for
such professional licenses and certifications, if any, as are required in the performance of his duties under this Agreement. In addition, the Corporation agrees to pay dues and expenses to
professional associations and societies and to such community and service organizations of which Executive is a member provided such dues and expenses are approved by the Chief Executive Officer as
being in the best interests of the Corporation. 


        (j)    Life Insurance.    The Corporation shall provide Executive with life insurance coverage on the same terms as
such coverage is provided to all other executive employees of the Corporation. 



        (k)    Business Expenses.    The Corporation shall reimburse Executive for reasonable expenses incurred by him in
connection with the conduct of business of the Corporation and its subsidiaries or other Affiliates. 




        7.    Termination Without Cause.    



        (a)    By the Corporation.    The Corporation may, in its discretion, terminate Executive's employment hereunder
without cause at any time upon sixty (60) days prior written notice or at such later time as may be specified in said notice (the date of termination set forth in such notice is herein referred
to as the "Termination Date"). Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, after such termination, all rights, duties and obligations of both
parties shall cease. 



          (i)  Upon
the termination of employment pursuant to subparagraph (a) above, subject to the terms in subparagraph (ii) and Paragraph 9 below and the
requirements of Paragraph 10 below, in addition to all accrued and vested benefits payable under the Corporation's employment and benefit policies, including, but not limited to, unpaid Annual
Bonus Awards and any other incentive compensation awards earned under the Annual Bonus Plan or any other incentive compensation plan for any completed performance periods, Executive shall be provided
with the following Salary Continuation and Other Benefits (as defined below) for the duration of the Severance Period (as defined below): (1) salary continuation payments for each year of the
Severance Period in an amount per year equal to 160% of his then current annual base salary ("Salary Continuation"), which Salary Continuation shall be
paid in the same manner and pursuant to the same payroll procedures that were in effect prior to the 




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effective
date of termination commencing on the Corporation's first payroll date following the Termination Date; (2) continuation of medical, dental, life insurance and disability insurance for
him, his spouse and his dependents, during the Severance Period, as in effect on the effective date of termination ("Other Benefits"), or if the
continuation of all or any of the Other Benefits is not available because of his status as a terminated employee, a payment equal to the market value of such excluded Other Benefits; (3) if
allowable under the Corporation's qualified pension plan in effect on the date of termination, credit for additional years of service during the Severance Period; and (4) outplacement services
of an independent third party, mutually satisfactory to both parties, until the earlier of one year after the effective date of termination, or until he obtains new employment; the cost for such
service will be paid in full by the Corporation. For purposes of this Agreement (except for Paragraph 9 below), the "Severance Period" shall mean
the period from the date of termination of employment to the first (1st) anniversary of the date of such termination. 


         (ii)  Subject
to Paragraph 10 below, in the event Executive accepts other employment during the Severance Period, the Corporation shall continue the Salary
Continuation in force until the end of the Severance Period. All Other Benefits described in subparagraph (i)(2) and the benefit set forth in (i)(3), other than all accrued and vested benefits
payable under the Corporation's employment and benefit policies, shall cease. 


        (iii)  Executive
shall not be required to seek or accept any other employment. Rather, the election of whether to seek or accept other employment shall be solely within
Executive's discretion. If during the Severance Period Executive is receiving all or any part of the benefits set forth in subparagraph (i) above and he should die, then Salary Continuation
remaining during the Severance Period shall be paid fully and completely to his spouse or such individual designated by him or if no such person is designated to his estate. 




        (b)    Release.    The obligation of the Corporation to provide the Salary Continuation and Other Benefits described
in subparagraph (a) above is contingent upon and subject to the execution and delivery by Executive of a general release, in form and substance satisfactory to Executive and the Corporation.
The Corporation will provide Executive with a copy of a general release satisfactory to the Corporation simultaneously with or as soon as administratively practicable following the delivery of the
notice of termination provided in Paragraph 7(a), or at or as soon as administratively practicable following the expiration of the Corporation's right to cure provided in Paragraph 7(d)
or Paragraph 9, but not later than twenty-one (21) days before the date payments are required to be begin under Paragraph 7(a). Executive shall deliver the executed release to the
Corporation eight days before the date payments are required to begin under Paragraph 7(a). 


        Without
limiting the foregoing, such general release shall provide that for and in consideration of the above Salary Continuation and Other Benefits, Executive releases and gives up any
and all claims and rights ensuing from his employment and termination with the Corporation, which he may have against the Corporation, a subsidiary or other Affiliate, their respective trustees,
officers, managers, employees and agents, arising from or related to his employment and/or termination. This releases all claims, whether based upon federal, state, local or common law, rules or
regulations. Such release shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement. 


        (c)    Voluntary Termination.    Should Executive in his discretion elect to terminate this Agreement, he shall give
the Corporation at least sixty (60) days prior written notice of his decision to terminate. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, at the end of the sixty (60) day notice
period, all rights, duties and obligations of both parties to the Agreement shall cease, except for any and all accrued and vested benefits under the Corporation's existing employment and benefit
policies, including but not limited to, unpaid incentive compensation awards earned under the Annual Bonus Plan or any other incentive compensation plan for any completed 



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performance
periods. At any time during the sixty (60) day notice period, the Corporation may pay Executive for the compensation owed for said notice period and in any such event Executive's
employment termination shall be effective as of the date of the payment. 



        (d)    Alteration of Duties.    If the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, in either
of their sole discretion, takes action which substantially changes or alters Executive's authority or duties so as to effectively prevent him from performing the duties of the Executive Vice President
of Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer as defined in this Agreement, or requires that his office be located at and/or principal duties be performed at a location more than
forty-five (45) miles from the present Corporation office located in Parsippany, New Jersey, then Executive may, at his option and upon written notice to the Board of Directors within thirty
(30) days after the Board's or Chief Executive Officer's action, consider himself terminated without cause and entitled to the benefits set forth in Paragraph 7(a), unless within thirty
(30) days after delivery of such notice, Executive's duties have been restored. 


        (e)    Disability.    



          (i)  The
Corporation, in its sole discretion, may terminate Executive's employment upon his Total Disability. In the event he is terminated pursuant to this subparagraph, he
shall be entitled to the benefits set forth in Paragraph 7(a), provided however, that the annual base salary component of Salary Continuation shall be reduced by any amounts paid to Executive
under any disability benefits plan or insurance policy. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Total Disability" shall mean death or any physical or mental condition which prevents Executive from
performing his duties under this contract for at least four (4) consecutive months. The determination of whether or not a physical or mental condition would prevent Executive from the
performance of his duties shall be made by the Board of Directors in its discretion. If requested by the Board of Directors, Executive shall submit to a mental or physical examination by an
independent physician selected by the Corporation and reasonably acceptable to him to assist the Board of Directors in its determination, and his acceptance of such physician shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed. Failure to comply with this request shall prevent him from challenging the Board's determination. 




        (f)    Retirement.    The Corporation, in its sole discretion, may establish a retirement policy for its executive
employees, including Executive, which includes the age for mandatory retirement from employment with the Corporation. Upon the termination of employment pursuant to such retirement policy, all rights
and obligations under this Agreement shall cease, except that Executive shall be entitled to any and all accrued and vested benefits under the Corporation's existing employment and benefits policies,
including but not limited to unpaid incentive compensation awards earned under the Annual Bonus Plan or any other incentive compensation plan for any completed performance periods. 



        (g)    Section 280G.    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in the event that the amount of
payments or other benefits payable to Executive under this Agreement (including, without limitation, the acceleration of any payment or the accelerated vesting of any payment or other benefit),
together with any payments, awards or benefits payable under any other plan, program, arrangement or agreement maintained by the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries or other Affiliates, would
constitute an "excess parachute payment" (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")), such payments and benefits shall be reduced (by the
minimum possible amounts) in the order set forth below until no amount payable to Executive under this Agreement or otherwise constitutes an "excess parachute payment" (within the meaning of
Section 280G of the Code); provided, however, that no such reduction shall be made if the net after-tax amount (after taking into account federal, state, local or other income, employment and
excise taxes) to which Executive would otherwise be entitled without such reduction would be greater than the net after-tax amount (after taking into 



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account
federal, state, local or other income, employment and excise taxes) to Executive resulting from the receipt of such payments and benefits with such reduction. If any payments or benefits
payable to
Executive are required to be reduced pursuant to this Paragraph, such payments and/or benefits to Executive shall be reduced in the following order: first, payments that are payable in cash, with
amounts that are payable last reduced first; second, payments due in respect of any equity or equity derivatives included at their full value under Section 280G (rather than their accelerated
value); third, payments due in respect of any equity or equity derivatives valued at accelerated value under Section 280G, with the highest values reduced first (as such values are determined
under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24); and fourth, all other non-cash benefits. 




        All
determinations required to be made under this Paragraph 7(g), including whether a payment would result in an "excess parachute payment" and the assumptions to be utilized in
arriving at such determinations, shall be made by an accounting firm designated by the Corporation (the "Accounting Firm") which shall provide detailed
supporting calculations both to the Corporation and Executive as requested by the Corporation or Executive. All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Corporation and
shall be paid by the Corporation. Absent manifest error, all determinations made by the Accounting Firm under this Paragraph 7(g) shall be final and binding upon the Corporation and Executive. 



        8.    Termination for Cause.    Executive's employment under this Agreement may be terminated by the Corporation,
immediately upon written notice in the event and only in the event of the following conduct: conviction of a felony or any other crime involving moral turpitude, whether or not relating to Executive's
employment; habitual unexcused absence from the facilities of the Corporation; habitual substance abuse; willful disclosure of material confidential information of the Corporation and/or its
subsidiaries or other Affiliates; intentional violation of conflicts of interest policies established by the Board of Directors; wanton or willful failure to comply with the lawful written directions
of the Board or other superiors; and willful misconduct or gross negligence that results in damage to the interests of the Corporation and its subsidiaries or other Affiliates. Should any of these
situations occur, the Board of Directors and/or the Chief Executive Officer will provide Executive written notice specifying the effective date of such termination. Upon the effective date of such
termination, any and all payments and benefits due Executive under this Agreement shall cease except for any accrued and vested benefits payable under the Corporation's employment and benefit
policies, including any unpaid amounts owed under the Annual Bonus Plan or any other incentive compensation plan. 


        9.    Major Transaction.    If, during the Term, the Corporation consummates a Major Transaction and Executive is not
the Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer with duties and responsibilities substantially equivalent to those described herein and/or is not entitled to
substantially the same benefits as set forth in this Agreement, then Executive shall have the right to terminate his employment under this Agreement and shall be entitled to the benefits set forth in
Paragraph 7(a), except that the Severance Period shall mean the period from the date of termination of employment to the second (2nd) anniversary of the date of such termination. Executive
shall provide the Corporation with written notice of his desire to terminate his employment under this Agreement pursuant to this Paragraph within ninety (90) days of the effective date of the
Major Transaction and the Severance Period shall commence as of the effective date of the termination of this Agreement, provided the Corporation has not corrected the basis for such notice within
thirty (30) days after delivery of such notice and further provided that the effective date of termination of this Agreement shall not be more than one year following the effective date of the
Major Transaction. For purposes of this Paragraph, "Major Transaction" shall mean the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation,
or a merger, consolidation, sale of stock or similar transaction or series of related transactions whereby a third party (including a "group" as defined
in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) acquires beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Corporation representing over fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the 


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Corporation;
provided, however, that a Major Transaction shall not in any event include a direct or indirect public offering of securities of the Corporation, its parent or other Affiliates. 


        10.    Non-Competition.    Executive agrees that during (i) the Term; (ii) the one (1) year
period following the effective date of termination of this Agreement by Executive pursuant to Paragraph 7(c) (Voluntary Termination); and (iii) the one (1) year period following
the effective date of termination by the Corporation pursuant to Paragraph 8 (Termination For Cause), he shall not, directly or indirectly, be employed or otherwise engaged to provide services
to any food manufacturer operating in the United States of America which is directly competitive with any significant activities conducted by the Corporation or its subsidiaries or other Affiliates
whose principal business operations are in the United States of America. Executive agrees that his entitlement to the benefits set forth in Paragraph 7(a) above is contingent upon his
compliance with the requirements of this Paragraph. 


        11.    Confidentiality of Information.    Executive recognizes and acknowledges that during his employment by the
Corporation, he will acquire certain proprietary and confidential information relating to the business of the Corporation and its subsidiaries or other Affiliates (the
"Information"). Executive agrees that during the term of his employment under this Agreement and thereafter, for any reason whatsoever, he shall not,
directly or indirectly, except in the proper course of exercising his duties under this Agreement, use for his or another third party's benefit, disclose, furnish, or make available to any person,
association or entity, the Information. In the event of a breach or threatened breach by Executive of the provisions of this Paragraph, the Corporation shall be entitled to an injunction restraining
him from violating the provisions of this Paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained herein shall be construed as prohibiting the Corporation from pursuing any other remedies
available to it for such breach or threatened breach. For purposes of this Paragraph, "Information" includes any and all verbal or written materials,
documents, information, products, recipes, formulas, processes, technologies, programs, trade secrets, customer lists or other data relating to the business, and operations of the Corporation and/or
its subsidiaries or other Affiliates. 


        12.    Superseding Agreement.    This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and contains all
the agreements between them with respect to the subject matter hereof. It also supersedes any and all other agreements or contracts, either oral or written, between the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof. 


        13.    Agreement Amendments.    Except as otherwise specifically provided, the terms and conditions of this Agreement
may be amended at any time by mutual agreement of the parties, provided that before any
amendment shall be valid or effective, it shall have been reduced to writing, approved by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, and signed by the Chairman of
the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Compensation Committee, the Chief Executive Officer or any officer of the Corporation authorized to do so by the Board of Directors or the Compensation
Committee, and Executive. 


        14.    Invalidity or Unenforceability Provision.    The invalidity or unenforceability of any particular provision of
this Agreement shall not affect its other provisions and this Agreement shall be construed in all aspects as if such invalid or unenforceable provision had been omitted. 


        15.    Binding Agreement; Assignment.    This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
Corporation and Executive, their respective successors and permitted assigns. The parties recognize and acknowledge that this Agreement is a contract for the personal services of Executive and that
this Agreement may not be assigned by him nor may the services required of him hereunder be performed by any other person without the prior written consent of the Corporation. 


        16.    Governing Law.    This Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this
Agreement, the relationship of the parties, and/or the interpretation and enforcement of the rights and duties of the parties shall be construed and enforced under and in accordance with the 


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laws
of the State of New Jersey, without regard to conflicts of law principles. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the terms of this Agreement shall be interpreted and applied
in a manner consistent with the requirements of Code section 409A so as not to subject Executive to the payment of any tax penalty or interest under such section. 


        17.    Enforcing Compliance.    If Executive needs to retain legal counsel to enforce any of the terms of this
Agreement either as a result of noncompliance by the Corporation or a legitimate dispute as to the provisions of the Agreement, then any fees incurred in such expense by Executive shall be reimbursed
wholly and completely by the Corporation if Executive prevails in such legal proceedings. 


        18.    Notices.    All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
deemed effective when delivered, if delivered in person, or upon receipt if mailed by overnight courier or by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the parties at
the addresses set forth below, or at such other addresses as the parties may designate by like written notice: 

 






			
	To the Corporation at:	 	B&G Foods, Inc

Four Gatehall Drive, Suite 110

Parsippany, NJ 07054

Attn: General Counsel
	
 To Executive at:	
 	
his then current address included in the employment records of the Corporation




 

         19.    Counterparts.    This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but
all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same agreement. A signed copy of this Agreement delivered by facsimile, e-mail or other means of electronic transmission shall be deemed to have
the same legal effect as delivery of an original signed copy of this Agreement. 



        20.    Other Terms Relating to Code Section 409A.    Executive's right to Salary Continuation, right to Other
Benefits, and right to reimbursements under this Agreement each shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments under Treasury Regulation section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii). 



        (a)    Reimbursements.    Any reimbursements made or in-kind benefits provided under this Agreement shall be subject
to the following conditions: 



          (i)  The
reimbursement of any expense shall be made not later than the last day of Executive's taxable year following Executive's taxable year in which the expense was
incurred (unless this Agreement specifically provides for reimbursement by an earlier date). The right to reimbursement of an expense or payment of an in-kind benefit shall not be subject to
liquidation or exchange for another benefit. 


         (ii)  Any
reimbursement made under Paragraph 7(a)(i)(2), 7(d), 7(e) or 9 for expenses for medical coverage purchased by Executive, if made during the period of time
Executive would be entitled (or would, but for such reimbursement, be entitled) to continuation coverage under the Corporation's medical insurance plan pursuant to COBRA if Executive had elected such
coverage and paid the applicable premiums, shall be exempt from Code section 409A and the six-month delay in payment described below pursuant to Treasury Regulation
section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v)(B). 


        (iii)  Any
reimbursement or payment made under Paragraph 7(a)(i)(2), 7(d), 7(e) or 9 for reasonable expenses for outplacement services for Executive shall be exempt
from Code section 409A and the six-month delay in payment described below pursuant to Treasury Regulation section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v)(A). 




        (b)    Short-Term Deferrals.    It is intended that payments made under this Agreement due to Executive's termination
of employment that are not otherwise subject to Code section 409A, and 



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which
are paid on or before the 15th day of the third month following the end of Executive's taxable year in which his termination of employment occurs, shall be exempt from compliance with
Code section 409A pursuant to the exemption for short-term deferrals set forth in Treasury Regulation section 1.409A-1(b)(4). 



        (c)    Separation Pay Upon Involuntary Termination of Employment.    It is intended that payments made under this
Agreement due to Executive's involuntary termination of employment under Paragraph 7(a)(i)(2), 7(d), 7(e) or 9 that are not otherwise exempt from compliance with Code section 409A, and
which are separation pay described in Treasury Regulation section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii), shall be exempt from compliance with Code section 409A to the extent that the aggregate amount does
not exceed two times the lesser of (i) Executive's annualized compensation for his taxable year preceding the taxable year in which his termination of employment occurs and (ii) the
maximum amount that may be taken into account under a qualified plan pursuant to Code section 401(a)(17) for the year in which the termination of employment occurs. 


        (d)    Six-Month Delay.    Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, payments to be made under this
Agreement upon termination of Executive's employment that are subject to Code section 409A ("Covered Payment") shall be delayed for six months
following such termination of employment if Executive is a "specified employee" on the date of his termination of employment. Any Covered Payment due within such six-month period shall be delayed to
the end of such six-month period. The Corporation will increase the Covered Payment to include interest payable on such Covered Payment at the interest rate described below from the date of
Executive's termination of employment to the date of payment. The interest rate shall be determined as of the date of Executive's termination of employment and shall be the rate of interest then most
recently published in The Wall Street Journal as the "prime rate" at large U.S. money center banks. The Corporation will pay the adjusted Covered Payment at the beginning of the seventh month
following Executive's termination of employment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if calculation of the amounts payable by any payment date specified in this subsection is not administratively
practicable due to events beyond the control of Executive (or Executive's beneficiary or estate) and for reasons that are commercially reasonable, payment will be made as soon as administratively
practicable in compliance with Code section 409A and the Treasury Regulations thereunder. In the event of Executive's death during such six-month period, payment will be made or begin, as the
case may be with respect to a particular payment, in the payroll period next following the payroll period in which Executive's death occurs. 




        For
purposes of this Agreement, "specified employee" means an employee of the Corporation who satisfies the requirements for being
designated a "key employee" under Code section 416(i)(1)(A)(i), (ii) or (iii), without regard to Code section 416(i)(5), at any time during a calendar year, in which case such
employee shall be considered a specified employee for the twelve-month period beginning on the next succeeding April 1. 


[Signatures on Next Page] 


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        IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation and Executive have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written. 

 






							
	 	 	B&G FOODS, INC.
	

 	
 	
By:	
 	
/s/ ROBERT C. CANTWELL







 
	 	 	 	 	Name:	 	Robert C. Cantwell
	 	 	 	 	Title:	 	 President and Chief Executive Officer
	

 	
 	
ERIC H. HART
	

 	
 	
/s/ ERIC H. HART







 




 

 10











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Exhibit 10.9


EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT