Dean Foods Named Sysco's Top Gold Supplier for 2012

DALLAS, June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sysco Corporation, North America's leading foodservice distribution company, recently named Dean Foods (NYSE: DF) and its Morningstar Foods business unit as its top Gold Supplier across all categories and a Gold Supplier in the dairy category for 2012. This marks the second consecutive year Dean Foods has been recognized as a top supplier in the dairy category. In addition, the company's Wholesome Farms 30% whipping cream received a "Best of Sysco" Brand Award, a category that recognizes products made for the food service provider under Sysco brand names.  

Dean Foods makes a variety of products for Sysco, including heavy whipping cream, creamer, half and half, sour cream, cottage cheese, aerosol whipped topping and specialty dairy beverages. In its press release, Sysco states that the "2012 Sysco Supplier Excellence Awards were chosen from more than 2,000 eligible suppliers worldwide. Winners were selected based on key business performance measurements."

"We're honored to be recognized as a top supplier to one of our top customers," said Kevin Yost, President of Morningstar Foods, a division of Dean Foods. "We come to work every day with the goal of delivering quality to our customers so they can stand out with their consumers. This recognition from Sysco is truly an honor."

ABOUT DEAN FOODS

Dean Foods is a leading food and beverage company in the United States and a European leader in branded plant-based foods and beverages. The Company's Fresh Dairy Direct segment is one of the nation's largest processors and direct-to-store distributors of fluid milk marketed under more than 50 local and regional dairy brands and private labels. Fresh Dairy Direct also distributes ice cream, cultured products, juices, teas, bottled water and other products. The WhiteWave-Alpro segment produces and sells an array of branded dairy, plant-based food and beverages, and coffee creamers. WhiteWave brands – including Silk®, Horizon Organic®, International Delight®, and LAND O'LAKES® – are category leaders and consumer favorites. Alpro is the pan-European leader in branded soy food and beverage products with the Alpro® soya and Provamel® brands. Morningstar Foods is a leading warehouse delivery dairy business that produces and sells traditional and specialty items, including cultured dairy products, ice cream mixes, coffee creamers, aerosol whipped toppings, traditional and value-added milks, and blended iced beverages to retailers and foodservice providers nationwide. For more information, visit www.deanfoods.com.

ABOUT SYSCO

Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. The company operates 177 distribution facilities serving approximately 400,000 customers. For the fiscal year 2011 that ended July 2, 2011 the company generated record sales of more than $39 billion. For more information about Sysco visit the company's Internet home page at http://www.sysco.com and for investor relations news follow us at www.twitter.com/SyscoStock.

DEAN FOODS CONTACTS: Corporate Communications, Jamaison Schuler, +1-214-721-7766; or Investor Relations, Barry Sievert, +1-214-303-3438

SYSCO CONTACT: CONTACT: Corporate Communications, Charley Wilson, +1-281-584-2423

SOURCE Dean Foods