EXHIBIT 99.1

SYSCO                                                             [COMPANY LOGO]
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 SYSCO Corporation                                                  NEWS RELEASE
 1390 Enclave Parkway
 Houston, Texas 77077-2099
 (281) 584-1390                                 FOR MORE INFORMATION
                                                CONTACT: John M. Palizza
                                                         Assistant Treasurer
                                                         (281) 584-1308


        SYSCO'S THIRD QUARTER DILUTED EPS RISE 13.3%, SALES INCREASE 5.9%
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     HOUSTON,  MAY 2, 2005 -- SYSCO  Corporation  (NYSE:  SYY),  North America's
leading  foodservice  marketer and distributor,  today announced results for the
third quarter ended April 2, 2005, of its fiscal year ending July 2, 2005.

THIRD QUARTER FY2005  HIGHLIGHTS:
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o    Diluted  earnings  per share rose 13.3% to $0.34  compared  to $0.30 in the
     same period last year.
o    Net earnings  climbed 11.4% to $218.2  million vs.  $195.8  million in last
     year's third quarter.
o    Sales  increased  5.9% to $7.4  billion  versus  $7.0  billion in the third
     quarter of fiscal 2004.
o    Non-comparable   acquisitions   contributed  1.0%  to  sales  growth,   and
     inflation,  as measured by product  cost  increases,  was 3.8% in the third
     quarter.

FIRST 39 WEEKS FY2005 HIGHLIGHTS:
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o    Diluted earnings per share rose 9.5% to $1.04 compared to $0.95 in the same
     period last year.
o    Net earnings  climbed  8.0% to $676.8  million vs.  $626.6  million in last
     year's first 39 weeks.
o    Sales increased 5.2% to $22.3 billion versus $21.2 billion last year.
o    Non-comparable   acquisitions   contributed  0.7%  to  sales  growth,   and
     inflation,  as  measured  by product  cost  increases,  was 4.4% during the
     period.

     Richard J. Schnieders,  SYSCO's chairman and chief executive officer, said,
"In addition to the  improvement in sales growth  compared to last year, we were
also pleased to see  sequential  improvement  in the rate of sales growth during
the fiscal third  quarter over the second  quarter.  We believe the  foodservice
operating  environment  is  progressively  gaining  strength  and our  operating
companies  continued focusing on business reviews and business  development with
the objective of helping our customers succeed.

     "I am especially proud of the way our companies overcame the more difficult
operating  expense  environment  that  resulted from higher fuel costs and harsh
weather in the Northeast  and the  Midwest," he  continued,  noting that SYSCO's
operating  companies  recorded a strong 20  basis-point  reduction  in operating
expenses as a percent to sales in the third quarter.

     "I remain  optimistic  about both the direction of our industry and SYSCO's
opportunity  to  capitalize  on future  sales  and  earnings  gains,"  added Mr.
Schnieders.  "We will be growing our entire base of Customer Contact  associates
in the coming quarters to take advantage of our improving operating  environment
and further strengthen our efforts to help our customers succeed."

     Mr.  Schnieders also noted that SYSCO benefited from a reversal of an $11.0
million  accrual  for an income tax  contingency  during the  quarter.  Based on
additional  information  and  supported by a third party  analysis,  the company
believes that the tax accrual is no longer warranted.


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     Thomas E. Lankford,  SYSCO's president and chief operating officer,  added,
"Among the most  significant  activities of the third quarter was the successful
opening of our northeast  Redistribution Center (RDC) in Front Royal,  Virginia.
On February 14 it shipped its first  truckload  to our  broadline  company  near
Boston,  and to date it is supplying  five of the 14 broadline  companies in the
Northeast  Region.  By the end of this month one-half of those companies will be
receiving  shipments  from the  northeast  RDC. The project  remains on time, on
budget and is performing better than our planned projections."

     During the third  quarter,  $14 million was  expensed  and $5.5 million was
capitalized related to the National Supply Chain Project compared to last year's
third  quarter  when $3 million was  expensed  and $25 million was  capitalized.
Through the end of the third  fiscal  quarter the total  amount  expensed on the
National Supply Chain Project was $95.7 million and the total amount capitalized
was $184.1 million.

     "Our FreshPoint  subsidiary continued to expand its distribution reach with
the  acquisition  of a specialty  produce  distributor  in Modesto,  California,
during the  quarter,"  continued  Mr.  Lankford.  "In terms of  internal  growth
activity, our broadline fold-out company in Post Falls, Idaho began distributing
products  in  April  to the  Spokane,  Washington  and  surrounding  foodservice
markets.  Going forward,  our goal is to open at least three fold-out  companies
per year to ensure we continue  achieving the efficiencies and benefits of being
closer to our customers."

     During  the  third  quarter   SYSCO's  total  capital   expenditures   were
approximately  $98.8 million,  resulting in total expenditures of $304.4 million
for the first 39 weeks of fiscal year 2005.  The company  now  anticipates  that
capital  spending for fiscal 2005 will be in a range of $400 to $425 million,  a
slight revision to the previously provided range of $400 to $450 million.

     "Sales  continue to head in the right  direction  and we are  committed  to
building on this momentum,"  concluded Mr. Lankford.  "Our skilled and committed
associates'  efforts on behalf of our customers,  our growth initiatives and the
continued  success we are experiencing  from the  implementation of our RDC will
continue  to set us apart from the  competition  and  position  SYSCO for future
market share gains."

     SYSCO, the largest foodservice  marketing and distribution  organization in
North America,  provides food and related products and services to approximately
400,000   restaurants,    healthcare   and   educational   facilities,   lodging
establishments   and   other   foodservice   customers,   generating   sales  of
approximately   $30.0  billion  for  calendar  year  2004.  SYSCO's  operations,
supported by approximately 46,000 associates,  are located throughout the United
States and Canada and  include  broadline  foodservice  distribution  companies,
specialty  produce and custom-cut  meat  operations,  Asian cuisine  foodservice
distributors,   hotel  supply  operations  and  chain  restaurant   distribution
subsidiaries. For more information about SYSCO visit the company's Internet home
page at  www.sysco.com.  As previously  announced,  SYSCO's  second quarter 2005
earnings  conference call will be held at 10:00 a.m. EST on Monday, May 2, 2005.
A live  webcast of the call,  as well as a copy of this press  release,  will be
available online at www.sysco.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     CERTAIN  STATEMENTS MADE HEREIN ARE  FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS  UNDER THE
PRIVATE  SECURITIES  LITIGATION  REFORM  ACT OF 1995.  THEY  INCLUDE  STATEMENTS
REGARDING  SYSCO'S  ABILITY  TO  INCREASE  SALES,  GAIN  MARKET  SHARE,  IMPROVE
OPERATING  EFFICIENCIES,  CONTROL  EXPENSES  AND EXECUTE ITS GROWTH  STRATEGIES;
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES AND OTHER FUTURE INVESTMENTS; INDUSTRY TRENDS; THE EXPECTED
TIMING,  COST AND BENEFITS OF THE NATIONAL  SUPPLY CHAIN  PROJECT AND  NORTHEAST
REDISTRIBUTION  CENTER  AND  THE  EXPECTED  TIMING  AND  ANTICIPATED  IMPACT  OF
FOLD-OUTS AND ACQUISITIONS. THESE STATEMENTS INVOLVE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES AND
ARE BASED ON MANAGEMENT'S CURRENT EXPECTATIONS AND ESTIMATES; ACTUAL RESULTS MAY
DIFFER  MATERIALLY.  THOSE  RISKS AND  UNCERTAINTIES  THAT  COULD  IMPACT  THESE
STATEMENTS INCLUDE THE RISKS RELATING TO THE FOODSERVICE DISTRIBUTION INDUSTRY'S
RELATIVELY LOW PROFIT MARGINS AND  SENSITIVITY TO GENERAL  ECONOMIC  CONDITIONS,
INCLUDING THE CURRENT ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT AND CONSUMER SPENDING;  THE RISK THAT
HIGHER  COSTS DUE TO  INFLATION  CANNOT BE  PASSED ON TO  CUSTOMERS  OR THAT THE
CURRENT  HIGH LEVELS OF INFLATION DO NOT RETURN TO  HISTORICAL  LEVELS;  SYSCO'S
LEVERAGE  AND  DEBT  RISKS;   THE  SUCCESSFUL   COMPLETION  AND  INTEGRATION  OF
ACQUISITIONS AND FOLD-OUTS;  THE RISK OF INTERRUPTION OF SUPPLIES DUE TO LACK OF
LONG-TERM CONTRACTS,  SEVERE WEATHER, WORK STOPPAGES OR OTHERWISE;  CONSTRUCTION
SCHEDULES;  MANAGEMENT'S  ALLOCATION  OF  CAPITAL  AND  THE  TIMING  OF  CAPITAL
PURCHASES SUCH AS FLEET AND EQUIPMENT; COMPETITIVE CONDITIONS; LABOR ISSUES; AND
INTERNAL  FACTORS SUCH AS THE ABILITY TO CONTROL  EXPENSES.  FOR A DISCUSSION OF
ADDITIONAL  FACTORS  THAT  COULD  CAUSE  ACTUAL  RESULTS  TO DIFFER  FROM  THOSE
DESCRIBED IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS, SEE THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON
FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL  YEAR  ENDED JULY 3, 2004 AS FILED WITH THE  SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.

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                                SYSCO CORPORATION
                 CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
                      (In Thousands Except for Share Data)



                                                               FOR THE 13-WEEK PERIOD ENDED
                                                          -----------------------------------
                                                           APRIL 2, 2005       MARCH 27, 2004
                                                          ---------------      ---------------
                                                                         
      Sales                                                $  7,437,453        $  7,025,585
      Costs and expenses
          Cost of sales                                       6,032,165           5,684,192
          Operating expenses                                  1,052,477           1,008,493
          Interest expense                                       20,151              15,737
          Other, net                                             (2,919)             (1,250)
                                                           --------------      ---------------
      Total costs and expenses                                7,101,874           6,707,172
                                                           --------------      ---------------
      Earnings before income taxes                              335,579             318,413
                                                                117,359             122,589
                                                           --------------      ---------------
      Income taxes (34.97% in Q05; 38.50% in Q04)
      Net earnings                                         $    218,220        $    195,824
                                                           ==============      ===============
      Basic earnings per share                             $       0.34        $       0.31
                                                           ==============      ===============
      Diluted earnings per share                           $       0.34        $       0.30
                                                           ==============      ===============
      Average shares outstanding                            635,654,561         642,038,004
      Diluted average shares outstanding                    650,753,697         663,097,806
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     Comparative  segment  sales data for the third quarter of fiscal years 2005
     and 2004 are summarized below.



                                                              FOR THE 13-WEEK PERIOD ENDED
     (Unaudited)                                         ------------------------------------
     ($000)                                               APRIL 2, 2005        MARCH 27, 2004
                                                         ---------------      ---------------
                                                                         
      Sales
          Broadline                                       $  5,895,662         $  5,648,123
          SYGMA                                                982,842              873,344
          Other                                                642,747              574,401
          Intersegment Sales                                   (83,798)             (70,283)
                                                         ---------------      ---------------
      Total Sales                                         $  7,437,453         $  7,025,585
                                                         ===============      ===============
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  COMPARATIVE SUPPLEMENTAL STATISTICAL INFORMATION RELATED TO SALES (UNAUDITED)

     Comparative SYSCO Brand Sales and Marketing Associate-Served Sales data for
     the third quarter of fiscal years 2005 and 2004 are summarized  below.




                                                              FOR THE 13-WEEK PERIOD ENDED
                                                         -----------------------------------
                                                          APRIL 2, 2005       MARCH 27, 2004
                                                         ---------------      ---------------
                                                                            
    SYSCO Brand Sales as a % of
       MA-Served Sales                                        56.6%               57.5%
    SYSCO Brand Sales as a % of
       Total Traditional Sales                                48.8%               49.1%
       in the U.S.
    MA-Served Sales as a % of
       Total Traditional Broadline Sales                      52.6%               51.7%
       in the U.S.

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                                SYSCO CORPORATION
                 CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
                      (In Thousands Except for Share Data)



                                                             FOR THE 39-WEEK PERIOD ENDED
                                                         ------------------------------------
                                                          APRIL 2, 2005        MARCH 27, 2004
                                                         ---------------      ---------------
                                                                        
      Sales                                               $  22,300,635        $  21,196,386
      Costs and expenses
          Cost of sales                                      18,060,611           17,107,358
          Operating expenses                                  3,112,808            3,029,682
          Interest expense                                       55,616               50,744
          Other, net                                             (6,581)             (10,285)
                                                         ---------------      ---------------
      Total costs and expenses                               21,222,454           20,177,499
                                                         ---------------      ---------------
      Earnings before income taxes                            1,078,181            1,018,887
                                                                401,404              392,271
                                                         ---------------      ---------------
      Income taxes (37.23% in 05; 38.50% in 04)
      Net earnings                                        $     676,777        $     626,616
                                                         ===============      ===============
      Basic earnings per share                            $        1.06        $        0.97
                                                         ===============      ===============
      Diluted earnings per share                          $        1.04        $        0.95
                                                         ===============      ===============
      Average shares outstanding                            637,487,017          644,219,976
      Diluted average shares outstanding                    653,057,150          662,482,772
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     Comparative  segment  sales data for the 39 weeks of fiscal  years 2005 and
     2004 are summarized below.



                                                                       
                                                              FOR THE 39-WEEK PERIOD ENDED
     (Unaudited)                                         ------------------------------------
     ($000)                                               APRIL 2, 2005       MARCH 27, 2004
     Sales                                               ---------------      ---------------
          Broadline                                       $  17,838,966        $  17,156,599
          SYGMA                                               2,840,043            2,561,446
          Other                                               1,867,871            1,707,734
          Intersegment Sales                                   (246,245)            (229,393)
                                                         ---------------      ---------------
     Total Sales                                          $  22,300,635        $  21,196,386
                                                         ===============      ===============
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  COMPARATIVE SUPPLEMENTAL STATISTICAL INFORMATION RELATED TO SALES (UNAUDITED)

     Comparative SYSCO Brand Sales and Marketing Associate-Served Sales data for
     the 39 weeks of fiscal years 2005 and 2004 are summarized below.



                                                             FOR THE 39-WEEK PERIOD ENDED
                                                         ------------------------------------
                                                          APRIL 2, 2005       MARCH 27, 2004
                                                         ---------------      ---------------
                                                                              
      SYSCO Brand Sales as a % of
         MA-Served Sales                                       57.3%                57.4%
      SYSCO Brand Sales as a % of
         Total Traditional Broadline Sales                     49.4%                49.3%
         in the U.S.
      MA-Served Sales as a % of
         Total Traditional Broadline Sales                     53.3%                53.1%
         in the U.S.
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                                SYSCO CORPORATION
                     CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
                                 (In Thousands)


                                                           APRIL 2, 2005       MARCH 27, 2004
                                                         ----------------     ----------------
                                                                         
    ASSETS
    Current assets
       Cash                                               $     199,518        $     172,695
       Receivables                                            2,242,837            2,087,476
       Inventories                                            1,490,305            1,373,251
       Prepaid expenses                                          63,482               57,128
                                                         ----------------     ----------------
         Total current assets                                 3,996,142            3,690,550

    Plant and equipment at cost, less depreciation            2,247,555            2,088,314

    Other assets
       Goodwill and intangibles                               1,267,914            1,177,161
       Restricted cash                                          185,233              169,220
       Prepaid pension cost                                     272,266                   --
       Other                                                    198,126              201,587
                                                         ----------------     ----------------
          Total other assets                                  1,923,539            1,547,968
                                                         ----------------     ----------------
    Total assets                                          $   8,167,236        $   7,326,832
                                                         ================     ================
    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Current liabilities
       Notes payable                                      $      73,043        $     105,922
       Accounts payable                                       1,770,379            1,717,438
       Accrued expenses                                         698,135              650,193
       Accrued income taxes                                     114,170               67,673
       Deferred taxes                                           312,357              296,567
       Current maturities of long-term debt                     365,755               10,296
                                                         ----------------     ----------------
         Total current liabilities                            3,333,839            2,848,089

    Other liabilities
       Long-term debt                                         1,032,822            1,420,139
       Deferred taxes                                           705,918              561,666
       Other long-term liabilities                              278,877              227,890
                                                         ----------------     ----------------
         Total other liabilities                              2,017,617            2,209,695

    Contingencies
    Shareholders' equity
       Common stock, par $l per share                           765,175              765,175
       Paid-in capital                                          377,067              317,003
       Retained earnings                                      4,362,360            3,762,183
       Other comprehensive income (loss)                         45,928             (144,862)
       Treasury stock                                        (2,734,750)          (2,430,451)
                                                         ----------------     ----------------
       Total shareholders' equity                             2,815,780            2,269,048
                                                         ----------------     ----------------
    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity            $   8,167,236        $   7,326,832
                                                         ================     ================
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                                                  SYSCO CORPORATION
                                         CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
                                                   (In Thousands)


                                                               FOR THE 39-WEEK PERIOD ENDED
                                                         -------------------------------------
                                                           APRIL 2, 2005       MARCH 27, 2004
                                                         ----------------     ----------------
                                                                        
Cash flows from operating activities:

  Net earnings                                            $     676,777        $     626,616
  Add non-cash items:
      Depreciation and amortization                             230,964              209,054
      Deferred tax provision                                    383,852              408,139
      Provision for losses on receivables                        21,873               23,613
  Additional  investment  in certain  assets
    and  liabilities,  net of effect of
    businesses acquired:
      (Increase) in receivables                                 (48,948)             (85,195)
      (Increase) in inventories                                 (69,578)            (134,750)
      (Increase) in prepaid expenses                             (8,080)              (4,701)
      Increase in accounts payable                                7,967               77,154
      (Decrease) increase in accrued expenses                   (38,225)               7,567
      (Decrease) in income taxes                               (342,831)            (283,980)
      (Increase) in other assets                                (10,245)             (18,982)
      Increase (decrease) in other
        long-term liabilities and
        prepaid pension cost, net                                17,743              (67,900)
                                                         ----------------     ----------------
    Net cash provided by operating activities                   821,269              756,635
                                                         ----------------     ----------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Additions to plant and equipment                             (304,400)            (379,390)
  Proceeds from sales of plant and equipment                     17,059               13,354
  Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired               (49,485)             (34,091)
  Increase in restricted cash                                   (16,584)             (90,223)
                                                         ----------------     ----------------
    Net cash used for investing activities                     (353,410)            (490,350)
                                                         ----------------     ----------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Bank and commercial paper (repayments)                           (791)             (15,779)
  Other debt (repayments) borrowings                             (3,092)             184,966
  Cash from termination of interest rate swap                     5,316                1,305
  Common stock reissued from treasury                           150,467              135,816
  Treasury stock purchases                                     (354,078)            (508,963)
  Dividends paid                                               (261,974)            (226,271)
                                                         ----------------     ----------------
    Net cash used for financing activities                     (464,152)            (428,926)
                                                         ----------------     ----------------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash                          (3,895)              (2,111)
                                                         ----------------     ----------------
Net decrease in cash                                               (188)            (164,752)
Cash at beginning of period                                     199,706              337,447
                                                         ----------------     ----------------
Cash at end of period                                     $     199,518        $     172,695
                                                         ================     ================
Cash paid during the period for:
  Interest                                                $      50,136        $      46,875
  Income taxes                                                  357,135              257,102


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