EXHIBIT 99.1


SYSCO Expects Robust Third Quarter as Sales and Earnings Momentum Continues

HOUSTON,  March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- SYSCO Corporation (NYSE: SYY) announced today
that the  company is  enjoying  strong  quarter-to-date  sales and  earnings  as
momentum continues in the third fiscal quarter ending April 1, 2000.

"We are very pleased with our  performance at this juncture in the third quarter
and our fundamentals remain intact," said Charles H. Cotros, president and chief
executive  officer." This is  particularly  encouraging in view of the unsettled
nature of the market in recent days and  disappointing  earnings  forecasts that
have been reported for other major corporations," he said.

"Nominal sales growth is exceeding 10 percent, while real sales growth is in the
high  single-digit  range and we have seen food costs turn from slight deflation
to a few tenths of inflation due to higher meat  prices," Mr. Cotros  continued.
"Certainly,  the mild winter weather across the U.S. has been a positive factor,
but more  importantly,  our  growth  strategies  and  internal  initiatives  are
favorably impacting our business," he explained.

"We continue to seek  non-dilutive  acquisitions and the three recently acquired
custom-cut  steak operations are exceeding our expectations and are accretive to
results. We have signed a definitive  agreement to acquire FreshPoint  Holdings,
Inc., a specialty  produce house with  approximately  $750 million in annualized
revenues,  and  expect  to close on this  operation  by the end of the  quarter,
subject to regulatory  approvals and other customary  conditions.  We also added
Watson  Foodservice  (Lubbock,  Texas) to our team in January and have announced
the  anticipated   construction  of  new  fold-out   facilities  in  Sacramento,
California and Suffolk,  Virginia, which should be completed in the mid calendar
year 2001 to enhance customer service in those areas."

Continuing his comments, Mr. Cotros said, "Our C.A.R.E.S.  initiative (Customers
Are Really  Everything to SYSCO) reaffirms our commitment to excellent  customer
service and has been instrumental in building customer loyalty. In addition, our
focus on increasing both marketing  associate-served sales and SYSCO Brand sales
continues to produce  positive results and we remain committed to supporting and
growing our  marketing  associate  sales  force.  Lastly,  our  industry-leading
technology is providing  benefits not previously  available which is allowing us
to manage and conduct our business more efficiently and productively.

"The effects of all these  elements and our  momentum  quarter-to-date  indicate
that this quarter will be strong," Mr. Cotros said in summary.  "As a result, we
now believe that an earnings per share  estimate  range of 26 cents to 28 cents,
at the higher end of the 24 cents to 28 cents published by Wall Street analysts,
is more appropriate."

SYSCO,  listed  on the New  York  Stock  Exchange,  is the  largest  foodservice
marketing and distribution  organization in North America.  Generating in excess
of$18.5 billion in annualized sales based on first half fiscal 2000 results, the
company provides food and related products and services to approximately 325,000
restaurants,  healthcare and educational facilities,  lodging establishments and
other foodservice  customers.  The SYSCO distribution network extends throughout
the entire contiguous United States, as well as Alaska and portions of Canada.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made herein are forward-looking  statements under the Private
Securities  Litigation  Reform Act of 1995.  They include  statements  regarding
annualized sales, sales momentum,  earnings growth,  continued strength of SYSCO
brand  products,   industry  growth,   fiscal  2000  projections,   construction
schedules,   improved  operating   efficiencies  and  productivity   related  to
information  systems  and the  ability  of SYSCO to realize  expected  synergies
following acquisitions. These statements involve risks and uncertainties and are
based on current  expectations  and management's  estimates;  actual results may
differ  materially.  Those  risks and  uncertainties  that  could  impact  these
statements include matters impacting construction  schedules including,  but not
limited to, land purchases, weather, ability to obtain permits and labor issues;
the  possibility  that the  company's  information  systems  will not operate as
anticipated and therefore not provide the company with the expected  competitive
edge; the risks relating to the foodservice  distribution  industry's relatively
low profit margins and sensitivity to economic conditions;  SYSCO's leverage and
debt risks; the successful completion and integration of acquisitions;  the risk
of interruption of supplies due to lack of long-term contracts,  severe weather,
work  stoppages or  otherwise;  and other risk factors  detailed in SYSCO's Form
10-K for the  fiscal  year ended  July 3, 1999  filed  with the  Securities  and
Exchange Commission.

SOURCE SYSCO Corporation

CONTACT:  Toni R.  Spigelmyer,  Assistant  Vice  President,  Investor  and Media
Relations of SYSCO Corporation, 281-584-1390/