SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                              ---------------------


                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

       Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 22, 2002


                               GENERAL MILLS, INC.
               --------------------------------------------------
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)


         Delaware                    1-1185                       41-0274440
------------------------          ------------               -------------------
(State of Incorporation)          (Commission                   (IRS Employer
                                  File Number)               Identification No.)


   Number One General Mills Boulevard
         Minneapolis, Minnesota                                       55426
         (Mail:  P.O. Box 1113)                                   (Mail:  55440)
----------------------------------------                          --------------
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                            (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (763) 764-7600





ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS.

         Attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference
is a copy of a press release of General Mills, Inc. dated October 22, 2002,
covering its offering of convertible debentures.

ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS.

         (c)      Exhibits. The following exhibits are filed as part of this
                  report:

                  99.1     Press release of General Mills, Inc. dated October
                           22, 2002, announcing its offering of convertible
                           debentures.




                                    SIGNATURE


         Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


Dated:  October 22, 2002

                                        GENERAL MILLS, INC.


                                        By: /s/ Siri S. Marshall
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Siri S. Marshall
                                            Title: Senior Vice President,
                                                   General Counsel





                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number             Description
-------            -----------

99.1     Press release of General Mills, Inc. dated October 22, 2002, announcing
         its offering of convertible debentures.