EXHIBIT 99.1


SYSCO Corporation                                    NEWS RELEASE
1390 Enclave Parkway                                 ------------
Houston, Texas 77077-2099
(281) 584-1390

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                                         FOR MORE INFORMATION
                                               CONTACT:  John M. Palizza
                                                         Assistant Treasurer
                                                         (281) 584-1308



           SYSCO APPOINTS ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

     HOUSTON,  March 27, 2002 -- SYSCO  Corporation  (NYSE: SYY) today announced
that its Board of Directors has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as the corporation's
independent  accountants.  Ernst & Young will  replace  Arthur  Andersen  LLP as
SYSCO's independent accountants effective immediately.

     "We respect and value the excellent and  professional  services that Arthur
Andersen  has provided  SYSCO  throughout  their long tenure as our  independent
accountants,"  said Charles H. Cotros,  chairman and chief executive  officer of
SYSCO.  Regarding  the  change  to Ernst &  Young,  he said  that  the  Board of
Directors, the Board's Audit Committee and SYSCO's executive management made the
decision to change  accounting  firms after very  thorough  deliberation  and an
extensive evaluation process.  "Ernst & Young has an excellent reputation in the
public accounting arena," Mr. Cotros concluded.  "We look forward to beginning a
working relationship with them."

     SYSCO is the largest foodservice marketing and distribution organization in
North America. Generating sales of approximately $22.6 billion for calendar year
2001,  the company  provides  food and related  products  and  services to about
370,000   customers,   including   restaurants,   healthcare   and   educational
institutions, lodging establishments and other foodservice operations. The SYSCO
distribution  network currently extends  throughout the entire contiguous United
States and portions of Alaska,  Hawaii and Canada.  For more  information  about
SYSCO visit the company's home page at www.sysco.com.


                                      # # #




                                       6

1457088