EXHIBIT 99.1

APRIL 24, 2003          COMPANY PRESS RELEASE          FLOWERS FOODS (NYSE: FLO)

                        FLOWERS FOODS COMPLETES SALE OF
            MRS. SMITH'S DESSERT BUSINESS TO THE SCHWAN FOOD COMPANY

THOMASVILLE, GA--Flowers Foods (NYSE: FLO) today announced the completion of
the sale of Mrs. Smith's frozen dessert business to The Schwan Food Company.
The transaction was structured as a sale of assets for cash and was valued at
approximately $240 million.

         As announced in Flowers Foods' January 30, 2003 news release, the sale
of Mrs. Smith's is part of the company's ongoing effort to enhance financial
performance and shareholder value. Flowers Foods will continue to operate its
fresh bread and roll business as well as the snack cake and frozen bread and
roll businesses.

         Commenting on the transaction, Flowers Foods' Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer Amos R. McMullian said, "The sale of Mrs. Smith's
desserts allows us to reduce debt and focus on growing our remaining
businesses, which are achieving record levels of performance."

         Schwan President and Chief Executive Officer M. Lenny Pippin
commented, "Adding the renowned brands and fine products of Mrs. Smith's to our
dessert portfolio strengthens our position as one of America's leading
frozen-food companies. It's a powerful strategic fit that will substantially
help us achieve our goal of doubling Schwan's sales in the next five years. We
welcome Mrs. Smith's people, facilities and products as they join our company."

About The Schwan Food Company
The Schwan Food Company, a privately held corporation headquartered in
Marshall, Minn., manufactures and distributes fine frozen foods through home
delivery, retail grocery, and foodservice channels. Schwan operates production
and distribution facilities across the continental United States and Europe.
For more information about Schwan, visit www.schwansinc.com.

About Flowers Foods
Headquartered in Thomasville, Ga., Flowers Foods is one of the nation's leading
producers and marketers of packaged bakery foods for retail and foodservice
customers. Flowers operates 33 bakeries that produce a wide range of bakery
products that are marketed through the Sun Belt states via an extensive
direct-




store-delivery network and nationwide through other delivery systems. Among the
company's top brands are Nature's Own, Cobblestone Mill, BlueBird, Mrs.
Freshley's, and European Bakers. For more information on the company, visit
www.flowersfoods.com.

Flowers Foods First Quarter Earnings
Flowers Foods will announce first quarter 2003 earnings on May 15, 2003.
Following the release, the company will host a conference call at 8:30 a.m. To
listen to the call, individuals should visit the investor relations center of
the company's Web site: www.flowersfoods.com.

CONTACT: Marta Jones Turner, VP Communications/Investor Relations, Flowers
Foods, 229/227-2348


                                      ###