* Q2 EPS 14 cts tops Wall St view of 12 cts

* Sees 09 EPS at mid-point of range, not low end

* Sees 09 sales up 8-10 pct vs prior view of up 6-8 pct

* Shares jump 14 pct

(Adds CEO and analyst comments, updates share movement)

By Sarah Coffey

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Del Monte Foods Co (DLM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) posted a better-than-expected quarterly profit on Wednesday and said full-year earnings could top its prior forecast, sending shares up 14 percent.

Margins at Del Monte, maker of Del Monte vegetables and Meow Mix cat food, are being helped by price increases put through to offset soaring commodity costs. Now that prices for many ingredients have fallen, the benefit is even greater.

Sales are also benefiting from financially pinched consumers trying to save money by cooking more at home. New products, such as a different flavor of Meow Mix, have also proved successful.