EXHIBIT 21
 
                          [LETTERHEAD OF DEAN FOODS]


              CURTICE-BURNS REJECTS DEAN FOODS ACQUISITION OFFER

FRANKLIN PARK, IL - September 28, 1994 - Dean Foods Company announced today that
the Company has been informed that the Board of Directors of Curtice-Burns 
Foods, Inc., Rochester, New York, has rejected Dean Foods' proposal to acquire 
the outstanding common stock of Curtice-Burns for a maximum cash price of $20.00
per share, in favor of a $19.00 per share proposal from Pro-Fac Cooperative. 
Dean's offer had been subject to the satisfactory resolution of specified 
contingencies, including resolution as to amounts due upon termination of the
agreement between Curtice-Burns and Pro-Fac Cooperative covering the purchase of
various assets owned by Pro-Fac but used by Curtice-Burns in the conduct of its
business. As a result of the Curtice-Burns' Board action, Dean Foods has
withdrawn its proposal to acquire Curtice-Burns, which had included a letter of
intent whereby Hormel Foods Corporation of Austin, Minnesota would have acquired
the Nalley's Fine Foods Division of Curtice-Burns.

In commenting on today's announcement, Howard M. Dean, Chairman and Chief 
Executive Officer of Dean Foods Company, said, "We are disappointed by this 
development because the core businesses of Curtice-Burns would have made a good 
strategic fit with Dean Foods. The Company will continue to evaluate acquisition
opportunities that build our businesses and enhance shareholder value."

Dean Foods is a diversified food processor and distributor, producing a full 
line of dairy and other food products, including fluid milk, cottage cheese, ice
cream and frozen novelties, frozen yogurt and specialty foods such as canned and
frozen vegetables, dips, pickles, relishes, powdered coffee creamers, peanut 
butter, syrups, and aseptic products. Products are sold to supermarkets, 
specialty food stores, foodservice facilities, other food processors and 
internationally. The Company recently reported first quarter earnings of $17.0 
million, or $.43 per share, on sales of $614 million. In its fiscal year ended 
May, 1994, the Company reported earnings of $71.9 million or $1.81 per share, on
sales of $2.4 billion.



DEAN FOODS COMPANY  3600 North River Road  Franklin Park, Illinois 60131
(312) 625-6200