EXHIBIT 32.2


                CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                       AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
                        OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 I, John B. Woodlief, state and attest that I am the Vice President - Finance
and Chief Financial Officer of Ruddick Corporation (the "Company"). I hereby
certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that

   -  the Annul Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended September
      28, 2003 containing financial statements (the "periodic report") fully
      complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
      Exchange Act of 1934, and

   -  the information contained in the periodic report fairly presents, in all
      material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of
      the Company for the periods presented.


/s/ John B. Woodlief
--------------------
Name: John B. Woodlief
Title: Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer
Date: December 8, 2003