Exhibit 32(a)


                  CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE
                           SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002



I, Richard J. Schnieders, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sysco
Corporation (the "company"), certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the
best of my knowledge:

1.    The company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 3,
      2004 ("Annual Report") fully complies with the requirements of Section
      13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2.    All of the information contained in the Annual Report fairly presents, in
      all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations
      of the company.

Date:  September 16, 2004

                                         /s/ RICHARD J. SCHNIEDERS
                                         ------------------------------------
                                         Richard J. Schnieders
                                         Chairman and Chief Executive Officer