<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FRESH FOODS,
INC.'S 1999 10-K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 10-K.
</LEGEND>

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-06-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-28-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-06-1999
<CASH>                                       1,664,398
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               17,781,143
<ALLOWANCES>                                   199,943
<INVENTORY>                                 30,430,482
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            55,492,418
<PP&E>                                     105,191,311
<DEPRECIATION>                              30,191,917
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             216,989,023
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       27,660,618
<BONDS>                                    146,939,680
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     5,807,049
<OTHER-SE>                                  35,344,960
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               216,989,023
<SALES>                                    258,282,146
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           258,282,146
<CGS>                                      137,946,462
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              185,643,726
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             8,216,256
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               699,911
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          12,400,851
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              4,207,862
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,712,670
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          2,495,192
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (64,335)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 2,430,857
<EPS-BASIC>                                      .41
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .40