In 1946, a Texas gentleman named John F Baugh left his job as a manager for the local A&P in Waco, Texas and launched a little food distribution company called Zero Foods. While his wife, Eula Mae managed the books, Baugh made deliveries in the company's lone delivery truck six mornings a week. Then, after making his rounds, he would shower, put on a suit and make sales calls to the local cafeterias, bakeries and hospitals who bought frozen peaches, frozen apples and frozen strawberries from him.

After several years of success, Baugh envisioned a national presence for his Zero Foods company. So, in 1969 after sharing his vision with eight distributors he admired and trusted, he cemented a partnership that is now known as SYSCO Corporation.

Taking advantage of innovations in food technology, improved packaging and advanced transportation techniques, SYSCO continues to provide its customers with quality products that are delivered on time, in excellent condition while improving efficiencies and keeping prices reasonable.

With Mr. Baugh's dream realized, SYSCO continues to grow. As the largest marketer and distributor of foodservice products in North America, SYSCO operates from 69 distribution facilities and provides products and services to approximately 270,000 restaurants, hotels, school, hospitals, retirement homes and other foodservice operations--wherever meal is prepared away from home. The company's distribution network extends throughout the entire continental United States as well as parts of Canada.