As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 26, 2000

                                                  Registration No.  333-________
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                     ---------------------------------------

                                    FORM S-3
             REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                     ---------------------------------------

                                SYSCO CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

            DELAWARE                                74-1648137
(State or other jurisdiction of        (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 incorporation or organization)
                     ---------------------------------------
                              1390 Enclave Parkway
                            Houston, Texas 77077-2099
                                 (281) 584-1390
                     (Address, including zip code, telephone
                         number, including area code, of
                        registrant's principal executive
                                    offices)
                     ---------------------------------------
                               MICHAEL C. NICHOLS
             Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary
                              1390 Enclave Parkway
                            Houston, Texas 77077-2099
                                 (281) 584-1390
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                              of agent for service)
                     ---------------------------------------
                                   COPIES TO:

                           B. Joseph Alley, Jr., Esq.
                          Arnall Golden & Gregory, LLP
                            2800 One Atlantic Center
                           1201 West Peachtree Street
                           Atlanta, Georgia 30309-3450
                                 (404) 873-8500
                     ---------------------------------------

         Approximate  Date of Commencement of Proposed Sale To The Public:  From
time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
         If the only securities  being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest  reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. [ ]
         If any of the  securities  being  registered  on  this  Form  are to be
offered  on a  delayed  or  continuous  basis  pursuant  to Rule 415  under  the
Securities Act of 1933,  other than  securities  offered only in connection with
dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. [ X ]
         If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the  Securities  Act,  check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration  statement number of the earlier  effective
registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
         If this  Form is a  post-effective  amendment  filed  pursuant  to Rule
462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities
Act  registration   statement  number  of  the  earlier  effective  registration
statement for the same offering. [ ]
         If delivery of the  prospectus  is expected to be made pursuant to Rule
434, please check the following box. [ ]



                                                 Calculation of Registration Fee
- ------------------------------- ----------------- ----------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------------------
                                                     Proposed Maximum        Proposed Maximum            Amount of Registration
  Title of Securities to be       Amount to be        Offering Price        Aggregate Offering                   Fee(1)
          Registered               Registered          Per Share(1)              Price(1)
- ------------------------------- ----------------- ----------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------------------
                                                                                      
Common Stock, $1 par value
per share                       1,656,418 Shares        $46.65625             $77,282,252.31                   $20,402.51
- ------------------------------- ----------------- ----------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------------------




(1)      Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(c) and based on the average of the high
         and low prices of SYSCO's common stock on October 20, 2000, as reported
         on the New York Stock Exchange.

         The Registrant hereby amends this registration on such date or dates as
may be necessary to delay its effective date until the  Registrant  shall file a
further amendment which  specifically  states that this  Registration  Statement
shall  thereafter  become  effective  in  accordance  with  Section  8(a) of the
Securities Act or until this  Registration  Statement shall become  effective on
such date as the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  acting  pursuant to said
Section 8(a), may determine.





     The  information  in this  prospectus is not complete and may change.  This
prospectus  is  included  in a  registration  statement  that we filed  with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission.  The selling shareholders cannot sell these
securities until that registration statement becomes effective.  This prospectus
is not an offer to sell these  securities,  and it is not soliciting an offer to
buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.




                  SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED OCTOBER 26, 2000

                                   PROSPECTUS

                                1,656,418 SHARES

                                SYSCO CORPORATION

                                  COMMON STOCK




     This  prospectus  relates  to the  offer  and  sale  from  time  to time of
1,656,418 shares of SYSCO common stock by the selling shareholders identified on
pages 5-6 of this prospectus.

     The selling shareholders will sell their shares as described in the section
of this prospectus  entitled "Plan of Distribution."  SYSCO will not receive any
of the  proceeds  from  the  sale of  shares  of  common  stock  by the  selling
shareholders.

     SYSCO's  common  stock is traded on the New York Stock  Exchange  under the
symbol  "SYY." The last  reported  sale price of the common stock on October 25,
2000 was $48.8125 per share.



                     ---------------------------------------
     This investment involves risks. See "RISK FACTORS" beginning on page 3.
                     ---------------------------------------


     Neither the  Securities and Exchange  Commission  nor any state  securities
commission has approved or  disapproved  of these  securities or passed upon the
accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.


                 The date of this prospectus is October __, 2000






                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page

SYSCO Corporation..............................................................2
Risk Factors...................................................................3
Use of Proceeds................................................................4
Selling Shareholders...........................................................4
Plan of Distribution...........................................................7
Legal Matters..................................................................8
Experts........................................................................8
Where You Can Find More Information............................................8

     You  should  rely only on the  information  contained  or  incorporated  by
reference in this prospectus.  We have not authorized anyone to provide you with
information different from that contained in this prospectus.  You should assume
that the information  appearing in this prospectus is accurate as of the date on
the front cover of this prospectus  only,  regardless of the time of delivery of
this prospectus or of any sale of the common stock. In this prospectus, "SYSCO,"
"we," "us," and "our" refer to SYSCO Corporation and its subsidiaries.

                                SYSCO CORPORATION

     SYSCO  Corporation,  together with its subsidiaries  and divisions,  is the
largest  North  American  distributor  of  food  and  related  products  to  the
foodservice  or  "food-prepared-away-from-home"  industry.  SYSCO  provides  its
products and services to approximately 356,000 customers, including:

     o    restaurants;
     o    healthcare and educational facilities;
     o    lodging establishments; and
     o    other foodservice customers.

     Since SYSCO's formation in 1969, annual sales have grown from approximately
$115 million to over $19 billion in fiscal  2000.  SYSCO's  innovations  in food
technology, packaging and transportation provide customers with quality products
delivered on time, in excellent condition and at reasonable prices.

     Products distributed by SYSCO include:

     o    a full line of frozen foods,  such as meats,  fully prepared  entrees,
          fruits, vegetables and desserts;
     o    a full line of canned and dry goods;
     o    fresh meats;
     o    imported specialties; and
     o    fresh produce.


     SYSCO also supplies a wide variety of nonfood items, including:

     o    paper products, such as disposable napkins, plates and cups;
     o    tableware, such as china and silverware;
     o    restaurant and kitchen equipment and supplies;
     o    medical and surgical supplies; and
     o    cleaning supplies.


     SYSCO distributes both nationally-branded merchandise and products packaged
under its own private brands.

     Our  principal  executive  offices  are  located at 1390  Enclave  Parkway,
Houston, Texas 77077-2099, and our telephone number is (281) 584-1390.

                                       2



                                  RISK FACTORS

     In addition to the other information in this prospectus, the following risk
factors should be considered carefully in evaluating an investment in the common
stock offered hereby.

SYSCO  Is In A Low  Margin  Business  and Its  Profitability  May Be  Negatively
Impacted During Periods of Food Price Deflation and Other Factors

     The foodservice  distribution  industry is characterized by relatively high
inventory turnover with relatively low profit margins. SYSCO makes a significant
portion of its sales at prices  that are based on the cost of  products it sells
plus a percentage  markup. As a result,  SYSCO's profit levels may be negatively
impacted  during  periods of food price  deflation,  even though  SYSCO's  gross
profit percentage may remain relatively  constant.  The foodservice  industry is
sensitive to national and economic  conditions.  SYSCO's  operating results also
are sensitive  to, and may be adversely  affected by, other  factors,  including
difficulties with the collectability of accounts receivable,  inventory control,
competitive price pressures,  severe weather conditions and unexpected increases
in fuel or other  transportation-related  costs.  Although such factors have not
had a  material  adverse  impact on  SYSCO's  past  operations,  there can be no
assurance  that one or more of these  factors will not  adversely  affect future
operating results.

SYSCO's Significant Indebtedness Could Increase Its Vulnerability to Competitive
Pressures, Negatively Affect Its Ability to Expand and Decrease the Market Value
of Its Common Stock

     As of July 1, 2000,  SYSCO had  approximately  $1.04  billion of  long-term
indebtedness  outstanding.  Because  historically a substantial  part of SYSCO's
growth  has been the  result of  acquisitions  and  capital  expansion,  SYSCO's
continued  growth  depends,  in large  part,  on its  ability to  continue  this
expansion.  As a result,  its  inability  to finance  acquisitions  and  capital
expenditures  through  borrowed  funds  could  restrict  its  ability to expand.
Moreover,  any default under the documents  governing the  indebtedness of SYSCO
could have a significant  adverse  effect on the market value of SYSCO's  common
stock.  Further,  SYSCO's leveraged position may also increase its vulnerability
to competitive pressures.

Because  SYSCO  Sells Food  Products,  It Faces the Risk of  Exposure to Product
Liability Claims

     SYSCO, like any other seller of food, faces the risk of exposure to product
liability  claims in the event that the use of products sold by it causes injury
or illness.  With respect to product  liability  claims,  SYSCO  believes it has
sufficient  primary  or  excess  umbrella  liability  insurance.  However,  this
insurance  may not  continue  to be  available  at a  reasonable  cost,  or,  if
available,  may not be  adequate to cover  liabilities.  SYSCO  generally  seeks
contractual  indemnification  and insurance  coverage from parties supplying its
products,  but this  indemnification  or  insurance  coverage is  limited,  as a
practical  matter,  to the  creditworthiness  of the indemnifying  party and the
insured  limits of any insurance  provided by suppliers.  If SYSCO does not have
adequate insurance or contractual  indemnification available,  product liability
relating to defective  products could  materially  reduce SYSCO's net income and
earnings per share.

Because SYSCO Has Few Long-Term  Contracts  with  Suppliers and Does Not Control
the Actual  Production of its Products,  SYSCO May Be Unable to Obtain  Adequate
Supplies of Its Products

     SYSCO obtains all of its foodservice products from other suppliers. For the
most part, SYSCO does not have long-term  contracts with any supplier committing
it to provide products to SYSCO.  Although SYSCO's purchasing volume can provide
leverage when dealing with suppliers,  suppliers may not provide the foodservice
products and supplies needed by SYSCO in the quantities requested. Because SYSCO
does not control the actual  production of its  products,  it is also subject to
delays  caused by  interruption  in production  based on conditions  outside its
control. These conditions include:

     o    job actions or strikes by employees of suppliers;
     o    weather;
     o    crop conditions;
     o    transportation interruptions; and
     o    natural disasters or other catastrophic events.

     SYSCO's inability to obtain adequate  supplies of its foodservice  products
as a result of any of the foregoing factors or otherwise,  could mean that SYSCO
could not fulfill its obligations to customers,  and customers may turn to other
distributors.

If SYSCO Cannot Renegotiate Its Union Contracts,  Its Profitability May Decrease
Because of Work Stoppages

     As of July 1, 2000,  approximately 8,000 SYSCO employees were members of 48
different  local  unions  associated  with  the  International   Brotherhood  of
Teamsters and other labor organizations,  at 34 operating  companies.  In fiscal
2001, 14 agreements covering  approximately 2,500 employees will expire. Failure
to  effectively  renegotiate  these  contracts  could result in work  stoppages.

                                       3


Although  SYSCO has not  experienced  any  significant  labor  disputes  or work
stoppages  to date,  and  believes it has  satisfactory  relationships  with its
unions,  a work  stoppage  due to failure to  renegotiate  a union  contact,  or
otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on SYSCO.

If  SYSCO  Cannot   Integrate   Acquired   Companies  with  Its  Business,   Its
Profitability May Decrease

     If SYSCO is  unable  to  integrate  acquired  businesses  successfully  and
realize anticipated economic, operational and other benefits in a timely manner,
its profitability may decrease.  Integration of an acquired business may be more
difficult  when SYSCO acquires a business in a market in which it has limited or
no expertise,  or with a corporate culture  different from SYSCO's.  If SYSCO is
unable to integrate acquired businesses  successfully,  it may incur substantial
costs and delays in increasing  its customer  base. In addition,  the failure to
integrate  acquisitions  successfully  may divert  management's  attention  from
SYSCO's  existing  business and may damage  SYSCO's  relationships  with its key
customers and suppliers.

Provisions in SYSCO's Charter and Stockholder Rights Plan May Inhibit a Takeover
of SYSCO

     Under its Restated Certificate of Incorporation, SYSCO's Board of Directors
is  authorized  to issue up to 1.5 million  shares of  preferred  stock  without
stockholder  approval.  No shares of preferred stock are currently  outstanding.
Issuance  of these  shares  would make it more  difficult  for anyone to acquire
SYSCO without approval of the Board of Directors  because more shares would have
to be acquired to gain  control.  If anyone  attempts to acquire  SYSCO  without
approval of the Board of Directors of SYSCO,  the stockholders of SYSCO have the
right to purchase  preferred stock of SYSCO,  which also means more shares would
have to be acquired to gain  control.  Both of these  devices may deter  hostile
takeover  attempts that might result in an  acquisition of SYSCO that would have
been financially beneficial to SYSCO's stockholders.

                           Forward Looking Statements

     Some of the  information  contained  or  incorporated  by reference in this
prospectus  contains  forward-looking  statements that involve substantial risks
and uncertainties.  You can identify these statements by  forward-looking  words
such  as  "may,"  "will,"  "expect,"  "anticipate,"  "believe,"  "estimate"  and
"continue" or similar words. You should read statements that contain these words
carefully for the following reasons:

     o    the statements discuss our future expectations;
     o    the statements contain projections of our future results of operations
          or of our financial condition; and
     o    the statements state other "forward-looking" information.

     We  believe  it  is  important  to  communicate  our  expectations  to  our
investors.  There  may be  events  in  the  future,  however,  that  we are  not
accurately  able to predict or over which we have no control.  The risk  factors
listed in this section,  as well as any cautionary  language in this prospectus,
provide  examples of risks,  uncertainties  and events that may cause our actual
results  to  differ   materially  from  the  expectations  we  describe  in  our
forward-looking statements. Before you invest in our common stock, you should be
aware that the  occurrence of any of the events  described in these risk factors
and elsewhere in this  prospectus  could have a material  adverse  effect on our
business,  financial  condition  and results of  operations.  In such case,  the
trading  price of our common stock could decline and you may lose all or part of
your investment.


                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

     This  prospectus  relates to the offer and sale of our common  stock by the
selling  shareholders.  We will not  receive any  proceeds  from the sale of the
common stock. We will pay all expenses related to the registration of the common
stock,  including fees of counsel to the selling shareholders up to an amount of
$25,000, but excluding underwriting, discounts and commissions.


                              SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

     The SYSCO common stock to which this prospectus relates is being offered by
former  shareholders  of  FreshPoint  Holdings,   Inc.  and/or  their  permitted
transferees. On March 17, 2000, SYSCO issued 2,769,709 shares of common stock to
the former  shareholders  of FreshPoint in connection  with the merger between a
wholly-owned subsidiary of SYSCO and FreshPoint.  In connection with the merger,
we entered into a registration  rights agreement with the former shareholders of
FreshPoint,  under which we agreed to register for sale certain of the shares of
common stock issued by SYSCO to the former FreshPoint shareholders.

     The  following  table states the name of each of the selling  shareholders,
the number of shares of common stock of SYSCO beneficially owned by each selling
shareholder as of September 30, 2000, the number of shares which may be sold for
the account of each  selling  shareholder,  the number of shares of common stock
that will be beneficially owned by each selling shareholder after the completion
of the offering assuming the sale of all shares offered, the percentage of SYSCO
common stock owned by each selling shareholder as of September 30, 2000, and the
percentage  of SYSCO common stock owned by each  selling  shareholder  after the
completion of the offering, assuming the sale of all shares offered.

                                       4




                                                  Beneficial Ownership                          Beneficial Ownership
Name of                                          Prior to the Offering(1)      Number of     After the Offering (1) (2)
                                                 ------------------------       Shares       --------------------------
Selling Shareholder                               Shares      Percentage        Offered       Shares        Percentage
- -------------------                               ------      ----------       ---------      ------        ----------
                                                                                             
Ross D. Ain                                        1,796            *              1,796          0              *
Bruce Boisture - Dean Witter IRA                   1,347            *              1,347          0              *
Christopher Crawford                                 449            *                449          0              *
Lynne Crawford                                       898            *                898          0              *
Robert Dussler, Jr.(3)(5)                        798,284            *            798,284          0              *
Ariel Emanuel                                        898            *                898          0              *
Christopher Jennings                               1,347            *              1,347          0              *
Donald R. Kendall                                 20,656            *             20,656          0              *
James M. Kendrigan                                 1,796            *              1,796          0              *
Michael J.P. Klein                                   498            *                498          0              *
Mark Levin                                         4,490            *              4,490          0              *
Joel Mandel                                        1,347            *              1,347          0              *
Lauren Marrus                                        898            *                898          0              *
D. Calhoun McNair                                  4,041            *              4,041          0              *
John D. Miller                                     1,347            *              1,347          0              *
Jonathan Morris                                      898            *                898          0              *
David Pecker                                       1,347            *              1,347          0              *
K&M Powell Family 1985 Revocable Trust             2,245            *              2,245          0              *
Estate of Jerry Rosenfield                           898            *                898          0              *
Martin J. Smircich                                 1,347            *              1,347          0              *
Egide Thein                                        1,347            *              1,347          0              *
Frederick R. Ulrich                               52,922            *             52,922          0              *
Farrell R. Ulrich Trust                            1,796            *              1,796          0              *
Frederick R. Ulrich III Trust                      1,796            *              1,796          0              *
Lauren T. Ulrich Trust                             1,796            *              1,796          0              *
Shirin Shaisy-Rejali                               1,004            *              1,004          0              *
John Alpers                                        1,796            *              1,796          0              *
Larry Brown                                        1,796            *              1,796          0              *
Curtice Cornell                                   44,961            *             44,961          0              *
The Blake A. Cornell Trust                         1,617            *              1,617          0              *
Richard J. Dachman                                13,471            *             13,471          0              *
Randolph S. Gill                                     700            *                700         96              *
Harmon Nickey Gregory                                500            *                500          0              *
Steve Haugen                                       6,736            *              6,736          0              *
Bernadette M. Kruk                                 4,836            *              4,836          0              *
Lucian M. LaBarba                                 12,124            *             12,124          0              *
Timothy P. Lyddane                                 3,171            *              3,171          0              *
Mark McClendon                                     1,796            *              1,796          0              *
Lawrence Movsovitz                                21,195            *             21,195          0              *
Brian O'Donnel                                     2,245            *              2,245          0              *
Max Nisson                                         8,981            *              8,981          0              *
Mitt Parker(5)(6)                                680,582            *            680,582          0              *
Philip Penny                                       1,796            *              1,796          0              *
Michael Petro                                      1,046            *              1,046          0              *
Richard Pidwerbeski                                4,490            *              4,490          0              *
Vicki Rodgers                                      1,796            *              1,796          0              *
Robert Kent Shoemaker, Jr.                        17,962            *             17,962          0              *
William Smith                                      1,796            *              1,796          0              *
Alan H. Spritz                                     4,490            *              4,490          0              *
Brian M. Sturgeon(5)                             577,468            *            577,468          0              *
Fredrick C. Sturgeon                                 460            *                460          0              *
Judith Sturgeon                                      460            *                460          0              *
Gerald L. Sung                                     8,981            *              8,981          0              *
Randolph M. Sung                                  10,328            *             10,328          0              *
Bryan Uyesugi                                      4,491            *              4,491          0              *

                                       5




                                                  Beneficial Ownership                          Beneficial Ownership
Name of                                          Prior to the Offering(1)      Number of     After the Offering (1) (2)
                                                 ------------------------       Shares       --------------------------
Selling Shareholder                               Shares      Percentage        Offered       Shares        Percentage
- -------------------                               ------      ----------       ---------      ------        ----------
                                                                                             

Phillip L. Wong                                    3,143            *              3,143          0              *
Leigh S. Seto                                      4,491            *              4,491          0              *
Michael Williams                                   2,245            *              2,245          0              *
John J. Geisler(4)(5)                            592,777            *            592,777          0              *
James W. Giangrasso                                2,509            *              2,509          0              *
Mark J. Schwartz                                     661            *                661          0              *
Isaac M. Silvera                                  25,239            *             25,239          0              *
Richaed L. Veron                                   8,000            *              8,000          0              *
Amarish V. Mehta                                   1,514            *              1,514          0              *
Palmetto Partners, Ltd.                          268,711            *            268,711          0              *
Mousseteek Venture                               167,945            *            167,945          0              *
CIR International S.A.                            57,029            *             57,029          0              *
The Joseph Friends and Family Trust               40,000            *             40,000          0              *
The Peter T. Joseph Foundation                     9,430            *              9,430          0              *
United Research and Education Foundation           7,000            *              7,000          0              *
Teenline                                           3,000            *              3,000          0              *
The Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church, Inc.    5,207            *              5,207          0              *
Chase Bank of Texas, N.A., Escrow Agent (7)      527,777            *            527,777          0              *
                                                                               ---------
                  Total                                                        1,656,418

______________________
     *    Less than 1% of outstanding shares
     (1)  The  percentage is  calculated  based on the number of shares of SYSCO
          common stock beneficially owned. As of September 30, 2000, 333,795,567
          shares of SYSCO common stock were outstanding.
     (2)  Assumes  all  offered  SYSCO  common  stock  will be sold  and that no
          additional  shares of SYSCO  common  stock  will be issued by SYSCO or
          acquired by any selling  shareholder  prior to the  completion  of the
          offering.
     (3)  Includes 268,711 shares held by Palmetto Partners, Ltd. Mr. Dussler is
          the President and Chief Operating  Officer of Palmetto  Capital Corp.,
          which is the general partner of Palmetto Partners, Ltd.
     (4)  Includes  40,000 shares held by The Joseph Friends and Family Trust of
          which Mr. Geisler is a trustee.
     (5)  Includes 527,777 shares held as Stockholders'  Representative pursuant
          to an  Indemnity  Escrow  Agreement as to which  Messrs.  Mitt Parker,
          Brian Sturgeon,  John Geisler and Robert M. Dussler  collectively have
          dispositive and voting power.  Chase Bank of Texas, N.A. is the escrow
          agent under the Indemnity Escrow Agreement.
     (6)  Mr. Parker serves as Senior Vice President of SYSCO.
     (7)  Shares are held by Chase Bank of Texas, N.A., as escrow agent under an
          Indemnity Escrow Agreement. See Footnote (5) above.

                                       6



                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     The selling  shareholders may offer and sell shares of common stock offered
by  this  prospectus  from  time  to  time  in one  or  more  of  the  following
transactions:

     o    on the New York Stock Exchange or any other  securities  exchange that
          lists the common stock for trading;
     o    in the over-the-counter market;
     o    in   transactions   other   than   on   such   exchanges   or  in  the
          over-the-counter market;
     o    in negotiated transactions;
     o    in short sales of the common  stock,  in  transactions  to cover short
          sales or otherwise in connection with short sales;
     o    by pledge to secure debts and other obligations or on foreclosure of a
          pledge;
     o    through put or call options,  including the writing of exchange-traded
          call  options,  or other  hedging  transactions  related to the common
          stock; and
     o    in a combination of any of the above transactions.

     The selling  shareholders may sell their shares at market prices prevailing
at the time of sale, at prices  related to such  prevailing  market  prices,  at
negotiated prices or at fixed prices. The transactions  listed above may include
block transactions.  We have been advised by the selling  shareholders that they
have not made any arrangements with any underwriters or broker-dealers  relating
to the distribution of the shares covered by this prospectus.

     The selling shareholders may sell their shares directly to purchasers,  use
broker-dealers  to sell their shares or may sell their shares to  broker-dealers
acting  as  principals.  If this  happens,  broker-dealers  may  either  receive
discounts  or  commissions  from the selling  shareholders,  or they may receive
commissions from purchasers of shares for whom they acted as agents, or both. If
a broker-dealer  purchases  shares as a principal,  it may resell the shares for
its own account under this  prospectus.  We will pay all  registration  fees and
expenses for the common stock offered by this prospectus.

     The selling  shareholders and any agent, broker or dealer that participates
in sales of common stock offered by this prospectus may be deemed "underwriters"
under the  Securities  Act of 1933 and any  commissions  or other  consideration
received by any agent, broker or dealer may be considered underwriting discounts
or commissions under the Securities Act. We have agreed to indemnify the selling
shareholders  against certain  liabilities arising under the Securities Act from
sales of common stock.  Selling  shareholders  may agree to indemnify any agent,
broker or dealer that participates in sales of common stock against  liabilities
arising under the Securities Act from sales of common stock.

     Because selling shareholders may be deemed to be "underwriters"  within the
meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act, the selling shareholders will be
subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, which may
include delivery through the facilities of the New York Stock Exchange  pursuant
to Rule 153 under the Securities Act. We have informed the selling  shareholders
that the  anti-manipulation  provisions  of  Regulation  M under the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 may apply to their sales of common stock.

     Instead of selling common stock under this prospectus, selling shareholders
may sell common stock in  compliance  with the  provisions of Rule 144 under the
Securities Act, if available.

     Upon  SYSCO  being  notified  by a selling  shareholder  that any  material
arrangement  has been entered into with a  broker-dealer  for the sale of shares
through a block trade,  special  offering,  exchange  distribution  or secondary
distribution  or a  purchase  by a  broker  or  dealer,  a  supplement  to  this
prospectus  will be  filed,  if  required,  pursuant  to Rule  424(b)  under the
Securities Act, disclosing:

     o    the name of each such  selling  shareholder  and of the  participating
          broker-dealer;
     o    the number of shares involved;
     o    the price at which such shares were sold;
     o    the  commissions  paid or  discounts  or  concessions  allowed to such
          broker-dealer, where applicable;
     o    that such  broker-dealer  did not conduct any  investigation to verify
          the   information  set  out  or  incorporated  by  reference  in  this
          prospectus; and
     o    other facts material to the transaction.

     In  addition,  upon SYSCO being  notified by a selling  shareholder  that a
donee or  pledgee  to  which  the  right to  utilize  this  prospectus  has been
transferred  intends  to  sell  more  than  500  shares,  a  supplement  to this
prospectus will be filed.

                                       7


     The term "selling  shareholders" may also include persons who obtain common
stock from selling shareholders as a gift, for no consideration upon dissolution
of a corporation,  partnership or limited liability company, on foreclosure of a
pledge or in another private transaction.


                                  LEGAL MATTERS

     The validity of the shares of common stock offered by this  prospectus will
be passed  upon for SYSCO by Arnall  Golden & Gregory,  LLP,  Atlanta,  Georgia.
Jonathan  Golden,  a partner of Arnall  Golden & Gregory,  LLP, is a director of
SYSCO.  As of September 8, 2000,  attorneys with Arnall,  Golden & Gregory,  LLP
beneficially owned an aggregate of approximately 75,000 shares of SYSCO's common
stock.

                                     EXPERTS

     The  consolidated  balance  sheets  of SYSCO as of July 1, 2000 and July 3,
1999,  and  the  related  statements  of  consolidated  results  of  operations,
shareholders' equity and cash flows and financial statement schedule for each of
the three years in the period ended July 1, 2000,  incorporated  by reference in
this  prospectus have been audited by Arthur  Andersen LLP,  independent  public
accountants,  as  indicated  in  their  report  with  respect  thereto,  and are
incorporated  herein by  reference  in  reliance  upon the  authority  of Arthur
Andersen LLP as experts in giving said report.


                       WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     SYSCO files annual,  quarterly and current  reports,  proxy and information
statements and other  information  with the Securities and Exchange  Commission.
You may read and copy any materials we file at the SEC's public  reference  room
at 450 Fifth  Street,  N.W.,  Washington,  D.C.  20549.  Please  call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330  for further  information  regarding the public  reference  room.
SYSCO's SEC filings  are also  available  to the public at the SEC's web site at
http://www.sec.gov.

     The SEC allows SYSCO to "incorporate by reference" information we file with
the SEC,  which means that SYSCO can disclose  important  information  to you by
referring you to those documents filed  separately with the SEC. The information
incorporated  by  reference is deemed to be part of this  prospectus,  and later
information  that we file with the SEC will  automatically  update and supersede
information contained in this prospectus.

     The following  documents filed by SYSCO (File No. 1-06544) with the SEC are
incorporated by reference in and made a part of this prospectus:

     o    SYSCO's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 1,
          2000;
     o    SYSCO's Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 3, 2000;
     o    SYSCO's Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 20, 2000;
     o    SYSCO's Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 26, 2000; and
     o    The   description  of  SYSCO's  common  stock   contained  in  SYSCO's
          registration  statement  on Form 8-A  filed  under  Section  12 of the
          Exchange  Act,  and any  amendment  or report filed for the purpose of
          updating such  description,  as updated by the  description of capital
          stock  contained in SYSCO's  Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the
          Securities and Exchange Commission on October 26, 2000.

     We are also  incorporating by reference any future filings we make with the
SEC  under  Sections  13(a),  13(c),  14 or 15(d)  of the  Exchange  Act.  These
documents will be deemed to be  incorporated by reference in this prospectus and
to be a part of it from the date they are filed with the SEC.

                                       8


     You may obtain a copy of these  filings,  excluding all exhibits  unless we
have specifically  incorporated by reference an exhibit in this prospectus or in
a  document  incorporated  by  reference  herein,  at no  cost,  by  writing  or
telephoning:

                        SYSCO Corporation
                        Toni Spigelmyer
                        Assistant Vice President Investor Relations
                        1390 Enclave Parkway
                        Houston, Texas 77077-2099
                        Telephone:  (281) 584-1390


                                       9


                                     PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS


ITEM 14.  Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

     All  expenses,  other than fees and expenses of legal or other  advisors to
the selling  shareholders in excess of $25,000,  in connection with the offering
described in this  Registration  Statement will be paid by SYSCO.  Such expenses
are as follows:*

         SEC registration fee............................$     20,403
         Printing expenses...............................         500
         Accounting fees and expenses....................       5,000
         Legal fees and expenses.........................      26,000
         Miscellaneous...................................         500
                                                         ============

                  Total..................................$     52,403


_________________________
*The amounts set forth, except for the filing fees for the SEC, are estimated.


ITEM 15.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers

     Section  145 of the  Delaware  General  Corporation  Law and  the  Restated
Certificate of Incorporation,  as amended,  and the Amended and Restated By-laws
of SYSCO contain provisions covering  indemnification of corporate directors and
officers  against  certain  liabilities  and  expenses  incurred  as a result of
proceedings  involving  such  persons  in  their  capacities  as  directors  and
officers, including proceedings under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.

     SYSCO has entered into indemnity contracts and provides indemnity insurance
pursuant to which  officers and directors are  indemnified  and insured  against
liability or loss under  certain  circumstances  which may include  liability or
related loss under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.


ITEM 16.  Exhibits


Exhibit
No.       Description
- -------   -----------
4.1       Restated Certificate of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 3(a) to Form 10-K for the year ended June 28, 1997).

4.2       Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation increasing
          authorized shares (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(d) to Form
          10-Q for the quarter ended January 1, 2000).

4.3       Amended and Restated Bylaws of SYSCO Corporation (Incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 3(b) to Form 10-K for the year ended July 3,
          1999).

4.4       Form of Amended Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of
          Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (Incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 3(c) to 10-K for the year ended June 29, 1996).

4.5       Senior Debt Indenture, dated as of June 15, 1995, between SYSCO
          Corporation and First Union National Bank, as Trustee (Incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 4(a) to the Registrant's Registration Statement
          on Form S-3 (No. 333-52897)).

4.6       Form of Subordinated Debt Indenture (Incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 4(b) to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3
          (No. 33-60023)).

4.7       First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 27, 1995, between SYSCO
          Corporation and First Union National Bank, Trustee, as amended
          (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(e) to the Registrant's Annual
          Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 29, 1996).

                                      II-1


4.8       Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 1, 1996, between SYSCO
          Corporation and First Union National Bank, Trustee, as amended
          (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(f) to the Registrant's Annual
          Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 29, 1996).

4.9       Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 25, 1997, between
          SYSCO Corporation and First Union National Bank, Trustee (Incorporated
          by reference to Exhibit 4(g) to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
          10-K for the fiscal year ended June 28, 1997).

4.10      Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 25, 1997, between
          SYSCO Corporation and First Union National Bank, Trustee (Incorporated
          by reference to Exhibit 4(h) to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
          10-K for the fiscal year ended June 28, 1997).

4.11      Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 27, 1998, between SYSCO
          Corporation and First Union National Bank, Trustee (Incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 4(h) to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
          10-K for the fiscal year ended June 27, 1998).

4.12      Sixth Amendment and Restatement of Competitive Advance and Revolving
          Credit Facility Agreement dated May 31, 1996 (Incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 4(a) to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
          10-K for the fiscal year ended June 27, 1996).

4.13      Agreement and Seventh Amendment to Competitive Advance and Revolving
          Credit Facility Agreement dated as of June 27, 1997 (Incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 4(a) to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
          10-K for the fiscal year ended June 28, 1997).

4.14      Agreement and Eighth Amendment to Competitive Advance and Revolving
          Credit Facility Agreement dated as of June 22, 1998 (Incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 4(c) to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
          10-K for the fiscal year ended July 3, 1999).

4.15      Agreement and Ninth Amendment to Competitive Advance and Revolving
          Credit Facility Agreement dated as of December 1, 1999 (Incorporated
          by reference to Exhibit 4(j) to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on
          Form 10-Q for the quarter year ended January 1, 2000).

5*        Opinion of Arnall Golden & Gregory, LLP regarding legality

23.1*     Consent of Arnall Golden & Gregory, LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5
          hereto)

23.2*     Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP

24.1*     Power of Attorney (included as part of the signature page hereto)

____________________________
* Filed herewith.


ITEM 17.  Undertakings

     (a)  The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes as follows:

          1. To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

               (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act;

               (ii) To reflect  in the  prospectus  any facts or events  arising
after the  effective  date of the  registration  statement  (or the most  recent
post-effective  amendment  thereof)  which,  individually  or in the  aggregate,
represent a fundamental  change in the information set forth in the registration
statement; and

               (iii) To include any  material  information  with  respect to the
plan of distribution not previously  disclosed in the registration  statement or
any material change to such information in the registration statement.

                                      II-2


          2.  That,  for the  purpose of  determining  any  liability  under the
Securities Act, each such  post-effective  amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration  statement  relating to the  securities  offered  therein,  and the
offering of such  securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

          3. To remove from registration by means of a post-effective  amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.

          4.  That,  for  purposes  of  determining   any  liability  under  the
Securities  Act,  each  filing of the  registrant's  annual  report  pursuant to
Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is  incorporated by reference in
the registration  statement shall be deemed to be a new  registration  statement
relating to the securities  offered herein,  and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

          5.  Insofar  as  indemnification  for  liabilities  arising  under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors,  officers and controlling  persons
of the  Registrant  pursuant to the  foregoing  provisions,  or  otherwise,  the
Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such  indemnification
is against public policy as expressed in the  Securities Act and is,  therefore,
unenforceable.  In the  event  that a claim  for  indemnification  against  such
liabilities  (other than the payment by the  Registrant of expenses  incurred or
paid by a  director,  officer or  controlling  person of the  Registrant  in the
successful  defense of any  action,  suit or  proceeding)  is  asserted  by such
director,  officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been  settled by  controlling  precedent,  submit to a court of  appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such  indemnification  by it is against public
policy as  expressed  in the  Securities  Act and will be  governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.


                                      II-3



                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies  that it has  reasonable  grounds to believe  that it meets all of the
requirements  for  filing  on Form S-3 and has  duly  caused  this  Registration
Statement  to be  signed  on its  behalf  by  the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly
authorized,  in the City of Houston  and the State of Texas,  on the 26th day of
October, 2000.

                            SYSCO CORPORATION


                            By:  /s/ Charles H. Cotros
                                 -------------------------------------------
                                 Charles H. Cotros
                                 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

     Pursuant  to  the   requirements  of  the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  this
Registration  Statement  has  been  signed  by  the  following  persons  in  the
capacities and on the dates indicated. Each person whose signature appears below
hereby constitutes and appoints Charles H. Cotros, John K. Stubblefield, Jr. and
Richard J.  Schnieders,  or any one of them,  as such  person's  true and lawful
attorney-in-fact  and agent with full power of substitution  for such person and
in such person's name,  place and stead, in any and all capacities,  to sign and
to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission,  any and all amendments and
post-effective  amendments to this Registration Statement, with exhibits thereto
and other documents in connection therewith, granting unto said attorney-in-fact
and agent  full power and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and
thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises,  as fully to
all intents and  purposes  as such  person  might or could do in person,  hereby
ratifying  and  confirming  all that said  attorney-in-fact  and  agent,  or any
substitute therefor, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.


SIGNATURE                                  TITLE                                          DATE

                                                                                    

/s/ Charles H. Cotros                      Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and          October 26, 2000
- ------------------------------             Director (principal executive officer)
Charles H. Cotros

/s/ John K. Stubblefield, Jr.              Executive Vice President, Finance and          October 26, 2000
- ------------------------------             Administration (principal financial and
John K. Stubblefield, Jr.                  accounting officer)


/s/ John W. Anderson                       Director                                       October 26, 2000
- ------------------------------
John W. Anderson
                                           Director                                       October __, 2000
- ------------------------------
Gordon M. Bethune

/s/ Colin G. Campbell                      Director                                       October 26, 2000
- ------------------------------
Colin G. Campbell

/s/ Judith B. Craven                       Director                                       October 26, 2000
- ------------------------------
Judith B. Craven

/s/ Frank A. Godchaux, III                 Director                                       October 26, 2000
- ------------------------------
Frank A. Godchaux, III

/s/ Jonathan Golden                        Director                                       October 26, 2000
- ------------------------------
Jonathan Golden

/s/ Thomas E. Lankford                     Director                                       October 26, 2000
- ------------------------------
Thomas E. Lankford

/s/ Richard G. Merrill                     Director                                       October 26, 2000
- ------------------------------
Richard G. Merrill

/s/ Frank H. Richardson                    Director                                       October 26, 2000
- ------------------------------
Frank H. Richardson


                                      II-4




SIGNATURE                                  TITLE                                          DATE

                                                                                    
/s/ Richard J. Schnieders                  Director                                       October 26, 2000
- ------------------------------
Richard J. Schnieders

/s/ Phyllis S. Sewell                      Director                                       October 26, 2000
- ------------------------------
Phyllis S. Sewell

                                           Director                                       October __, 2000
- ------------------------------
Arthur J. Swenka

/s/ Thomas B. Walker, Jr.                  Director                                       October 26, 2000
- ------------------------------
Thomas B. Walker, Jr.

                                           Director                                       October __, 2000
- ------------------------------
John F. Woodhouse





                                      II-5



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
No.       Description
- -------   -----------
4.1       Restated Certificate of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 3(a) to Form 10-K for the year ended June 28, 1997).

4.2       Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation increasing
          authorized shares (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(d) to Form
          10-Q for the quarter ended January 1, 2000).

4.3       Amended and Restated Bylaws of SYSCO Corporation (Incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 3(b) to Form 10-K for the year ended July 3,
          1999).

4.4       Form of Amended Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of
          Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (Incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 3(c) to 10-K for the year ended June 29, 1996).

4.5       Senior Debt Indenture, dated as of June 15, 1995, between SYSCO
          Corporation and First Union National Bank, as Trustee (Incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 4(a) to the Registrant's Registration Statement
          on Form S-3 (No. 333-52897)).

4.6       Form of Subordinated Debt Indenture (Incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 4(b) to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3
          (No. 33-60023)).

4.7       First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 27, 1995, between SYSCO
          Corporation and First Union National Bank, Trustee, as amended
          (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(e) to the Registrant's Annual
          Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 29, 1996).

4.8       Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 1, 1996, between SYSCO
          Corporation and First Union National Bank, Trustee, as amended
          (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(f) to the Registrant's Annual
          Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 29, 1996).

4.9       Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 25, 1997, between
          SYSCO Corporation and First Union National Bank, Trustee (Incorporated
          by reference to Exhibit 4(g) to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
          10-K for the fiscal year ended June 28, 1997).

4.10      Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 25, 1997, between
          SYSCO Corporation and First Union National Bank, Trustee (Incorporated
          by reference to Exhibit 4(h) to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
          10-K for the fiscal year ended June 28, 1997).

4.11      Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 27, 1998, between SYSCO
          Corporation and First Union National Bank, Trustee (Incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 4(h) to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
          10-K for the fiscal year ended June 27, 1998).

4.12      Sixth Amendment and Restatement of Competitive Advance and Revolving
          Credit Facility Agreement dated May 31, 1996 (Incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 4(a) to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
          10-K for the fiscal year ended June 27, 1996).

4.13      Agreement and Seventh Amendment to Competitive Advance and Revolving
          Credit Facility Agreement dated as of June 27, 1997 (Incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 4(a) to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
          10-K for the fiscal year ended June 28, 1997).

4.14      Agreement and Eighth Amendment to Competitive Advance and Revolving
          Credit Facility Agreement dated as of June 22, 1998 (Incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 4(c) to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
          10-K for the fiscal year ended July 3, 1999).

4.15      Agreement and Ninth Amendment to Competitive Advance and Revolving
          Credit Facility Agreement dated as of December 1, 1999 (Incorporated
          by reference to Exhibit 4(j) to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on
          Form 10-Q for the quarter year ended January 1, 2000).

5*        Opinion of Arnall Golden & Gregory, LLP regarding legality

23.1*     Consent of Arnall Golden & Gregory, LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5
          hereto)





23.2*     Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP

24.1*     Power of Attorney (included as part of the signature page hereto)

____________________________
* Filed herewith.