DEAN FOODS CO
10-K405, 1996-08-23
DAIRY PRODUCTS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                                   FORM 10-K


     (Mark One)
     X      ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES
    ---     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [FEE REQUIRED]


                     For the fiscal year ended May 26, 1996

                                       OR

    ---     TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES
            EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED]
    
                For the transition period from               to
                                               --------------  -------------

                          COMMISSION FILE NO.:  0-1118

                               DEAN FOODS COMPANY
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

          DELAWARE                                          36-0984820
    (State of other jurisdiction of                         (I.R.S. Employer
     incorporation or organization)                        Identification No.)

3600 N. RIVER ROAD, FRANKLIN PARK, ILLINOIS                         60131
   (Address of principal executive offices)                       (Zip Code)

       REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE (847) 678-1680

     SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 12(b) AND 12(g) OF THE ACT:

                                                        NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON
           TITLE OF EACH CLASS                              WHICH REGISTERED
   Common Stock, Par Value $1 Per Share                  New York Stock Exchange

     Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.  YES  X   NO
                                               ---     ---

     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent files pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K (Section 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained
herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in
definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part
III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]

     The number of shares of Common Stock, Par Value $1 Per Share, of the
Registrant outstanding as of August 9, 1996 was 41,424,621.  The aggregate
market value of such outstanding shares on August 9, 1996 was $1.03 billion,
based upon the closing price for the Common Stock on the New York Stock
Exchange on such date.
                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

     The following documents are incorporated herein by reference in the
respective Parts hereof indicated:
    1.   Registrant's Annual Report to Shareholders for Fiscal Year Ended
         May 26, 1996 (referred to herein as the "Company's Fiscal 1996 Annual
         Report"):  Part I and Part II
    2.   Registrant's Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of
         Stockholders to be held on October 1, 1996 (referred to herein as the
         "Company's 1996 Proxy Statement"):  Part III


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                                     PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS.

     Dean Foods Company and its subsidiaries ("the Company") is engaged in the
processing, distribution and sales of dairy, vegetable, pickle and specialty
food products.

     The Company's principal products are Dairy (fluid milk and cultured
products, ice cream and extended shelf life products), Vegetables (frozen and
canned vegetables), Pickles (pickles, relishes and specialty items) and
Specialty (powdered products and sauces, puddings and dips).  A significant
portion of the Company's products are sold under private labels.  The Company
also operates a trucking business hauling less-than-truckload freight,
concentrating primarily on refrigerated and frozen cartage, the results of
which are reported in the Specialty segment.

     The predecessor to Dean Foods Company was incorporated in Illinois in
1925.  Acquisitions have been an important factor in the Company's strategy.
The Company does not have specific acquisition criteria, but generally focuses
on food companies having a well-established reputation for quality products and
services.

     Fiscal 1996 was a transitional year for Dean Foods Company.  The Company
conducted a strategic business review of all operations, focusing on its
markets, competitors and capabilities, and identified a strategic plan design
to enhance long-term shareholder value.  As a result, in May 1996 the Company
recorded a pre-tax special charge of $150.0 million ($97.7 million after-tax,
or $2.44 per share) related to the adoption of a plan to reduce costs,
rationalize production capacity and provide for severance and environmental
costs.  Implementation of the plan will result in the elimination of more than
800 manufacturing and administrative positions and the disposition or closure
of 13 manufacturing facilities.  Such actions will allow the Company to focus
on its core business strengths.

     The Company has made 12 acquisitions in the last five years.  During
fiscal 1996 the Company acquired the business and assets of Norcal Crossetti
Foods, Inc., a frozen vegetable and fruit processor located in Watsonville,
California; Paramount Foods, a pickle processor located in Louisville,
Kentucky; and Rod's Food Products, a specialty foods processor of aerosol
toppings and extended shelf life products located in City of Industry,
California.  During fiscal 1995, the Company acquired the business and assets
of a dairy processor located in Clovis, New Mexico and Rio Grande Foods, Inc.,
a frozen vegetable processor located in McAllen, Texas.  During fiscal 1994,
the Company acquired Longlife Dairy Products of Jacksonville, Florida, a
processor of extended shelf life products, the Birds Eye frozen vegetable
business and the Bennett's premium sauce line.  During fiscal 1993, the Company
acquired W. B. Roddenbery Co., Inc. of Cairo, Georgia, a processor of pickles,
peanut butter, boiled peanuts and syrups and acquired an East Coast replacement
sour cream product line.  In fiscal  1992, the Company acquired Meadow Brook
Dairy Company, a dairy processor with plants in Pennsylvania and New York; and
Frio Foods, Inc., a Texas frozen vegetable processor.  The results of
operations of these acquisitions, from their respective dates of acquisition,
have been included in the Company's results of operations.

     With one exception, these companies, businesses and assets were acquired
for cash, installment notes or a combination thereof.  In fiscal 1993, the
Company exchanged 535,000 shares of its common stock for all the outstanding
shares of W. B. Roddenbery Co., Inc.

     Information regarding the Company's Dairy, Vegetables, Pickles and
Specialty business segments for the last three fiscal years is set forth in the
Company's Fiscal 1996 Annual Report (Exhibit 13a hereto) at page 37 in Note 14
to the consolidated financial statements.  Such information, excluding the
first sentence of such note, is hereby incorporated herein by reference.


DAIRY BUSINESS SEGMENT

Fluid Milk and Cultured Products

     The Company processes raw milk and other raw materials into fluid milk and
cultured products.  The Company believes that it is the largest fluid milk
processor in the United States.  Although industry data is not available, the
Company estimates that it has a 8% market share in domestic fluid milk.
Included in the fluid products category is

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homogenized, low-fat and skim milk plus buttermilk, chocolate milk and juice
products.  Cultured dairy products include cottage cheese, yogurt and sour
cream.

     Fluid milk and fresh cultured products are sold to grocery store chains,
convenience stores, smaller retail grocery outlets, warehouse club stores,
grocery warehouses and institutional customers in the Midwest and mid-Southern
states, in parts of the Southeastern, Southwestern and Rocky Mountain states,
parts of Pennsylvania and New York, and Mexico.

     In addition to the strong Dean's brand in the Midwest and Mid-South, fluid
milk and cultured dairy products are sold in various areas under
well-established labels such as Bell, Cream o'Weber, Creamland, Fairmont,
Fieldcrest, Gandy's, T.G. Lee, Mayfield, McArthur, Meadow Brook, Price's,
Reiter and Verifine.  A substantial portion of the Company's fluid milk and
cultured products volume is sold under private labels.

     The fluid milk and cultured products business is extremely competitive and
productivity is therefore very important.  The Company continues to reinvest a
substantial portion of its total capital budget in its dairy plants and
distribution systems to maintain and improve efficiencies.  Capital
expenditures during fiscal 1996 included new packaging equipment for  one-pint
and ten-ounce, plastic, resealable bottles at its Athens, Tennessee dairy
plant, the expansion of the Erie, Pennsylvania milk cooler and additional
processing capacity at the Company's Rochester, Indiana  and Huntley, Illinois
milk plants.  Major capital projects during fiscal 1995 included additional
processing equipment and costs related to plant consolidation of the Lubbock
and San Angelo, Texas dairy processing plants, a cooler expansion at the
Rochester, Indiana dairy plant, a waste water treatment system at the
Belleville, Pennsylvania dairy plant and computer equipment at the Florida
dairy operations.  Capital expenditure projects for 1994 included cooler
expansions at its Evart, Michigan; Chemung, Illinois; and Louisville, Kentucky
dairy plants; corrugated caser and palletizer at its El Paso, Texas dairy
plant; blowmold packaging equipment at its Rochester, Indiana dairy plant and
construction of a dairy distribution and cooler facility in Greenville, South
Carolina.  Major capital projects during fiscal 1993 included completion of a
cooler expansion at its Orlando, Florida dairy operations; additional
processing capacity at its Sharpsville, Pennsylvania dairy plant; and
additional processing equipment at the Company's Albuquerque, New Mexico dairy
plant.  Capital expenditure projects for fiscal 1992 included the expansion of
cold room capacity at the Company's Lubbock, Texas dairy operation; blowmold
packaging equipment at the Company's Huntley, Illinois location; expansion of
the cooler at its Orlando, Florida dairy operation; and construction of a dairy
distribution and cooler facility at Atlanta, Georgia.

     Sales of fluid milk and cultured products to unaffiliated customers for
the fiscal years 1996, 1995 and 1994 were $1,235 million, $1,190 million and
$1,156 million, respectively.

Ice Cream

     The Company produces packaged and bulk ice cream products which are sold
through supermarkets, convenience stores, smaller retail grocery outlets,
restaurants and other foodservice users.  The product line includes ice cream
(regular, lowfat and non-fat), fruit sherbets, frozen yogurts, and novelties
made with ice cream, sherbet and ices.  These products are sold under a variety
of regional brands and numerous private labels in the Midwest, Mid-South,
Southeast, Southwest, and parts of the Rocky Mountain states under numerous
well-established brands.  Such brands include Dean's, Dean's Country Charm,
Gandy's, Creamland, Cream o'Weber, Bell, Price's, Fitzgerald, Fieldcrest,
Mayfield, McArthur/T.G. Lee, Reiter and Verifine.  During 1995, the Company
introduced the Guilt Free brand of non-fat and no sugar added ice cream
products.  Sales of ice cream products are substantially greater during the
summer months than during the rest of the year.  Additionally, the Company
produces and supplies Baskin-Robbins ice cream products in the Midwest and
Southwest.

     Capital expenditures during fiscal 1996 included additional processing
equipment at the Company's Belvidere, Illinois and Athens, Tennessee ice cream
plants.  During fiscal 1995 capital expenditures included plant expansion and
replacement of refrigeration equipment at the Belvidere, Illinois ice cream
plant.  Major projects in 1994 included a stick novelty line, freezer expansion
and new distribution facilities in Athens, Tennessee and new processing
equipment in Akron, Ohio.  Capital expenditure projects in fiscal 1992 included
expansion of ice cream production capacity at the Company's Akron, Ohio
operation.


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     Sales to unaffiliated customers for the fiscal years 1996, 1995 and 1994
were $235 million, $219 million and $208 million, respectively.

Extended Shelf Life

     The Company processes extended shelf life fluid, aerosol and other dairy
products.  Extended shelf life products include whipping creams, half and half,
aerosol toppings, coffee creamers, flavored milks and lactose-reduced milks.

     Extended shelf life products produced and marketed by Ryan Milk Company,
Ready Food Products, Inc. and Longlife Dairy Products are distributed
nationwide under Dean brands such as Dairy Pure, Dean Ultra and Easy 2%, as
well as well-known licensed national brands and private labels.

     The extended shelf life products business is extremely competitive and
productivity is therefore very important.  The Company continues to reinvest in
its extended shelf life plants and distribution systems to maintain and improve
efficiencies.  During fiscal 1996, capital expenditures included the
installation of new racking and inventory systems and cooler expansion at its
Murray, Kentucky plant.  Major capital projects during fiscal 1993 and fiscal
1992 included additional processing capacity at its Murray, Kentucky and
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania operations.

     Sales of extended shelf life products to unaffiliated customers for fiscal
1996, fiscal 1995 and 1994 were $141 million, $104 million and $105 million,
respectively.

VEGETABLES BUSINESS SEGMENT

Frozen and Canned Vegetables

     The Company processes and markets frozen and canned vegetables consisting
of corn, peas, green beans, carrots, beets, spinach, peas and carrots, green
lima beans and various mixed vegetable blends.  Additional products in the
frozen vegetable line include asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts,
cauliflower, fordhook lima beans, southern greens, okra, crowder and black-eyed
peas, celery and vegetable blends with pasta and with rice. The processing and
canning of fresh vegetables is seasonal in nature, with most of the canning
activity in the Midwest occurring during harvesting periods.  The Company
believes the geographic diversity of its plants and growing areas provides the
ability to balance production.  The packaging of processed frozen vegetables
occurs year-round.  As a result of the seasonal nature of the vegetable
business, inventory levels vary significantly during the year.

     Also included in the Vegetables segment are sales of canned meats
processed under bid contracts with the federal government.  Such sales vary
greatly from year to year because of the nature of the federal government's
procurement practices.  Margins are small since these contracts are taken
primarily to absorb overhead of the Company's canning operation during
seasonally idle periods of production.

     Frozen vegetables account for approximately 77% of the total vegetable
sales.  The Company is the largest frozen vegetable processor in the United
States and the third largest vegetable processor overall.  Products are
marketed under several brand names including Birds Eye, Veg-All, Freshlike,
Larsen, Rancho Fiesta and Shaw, as well as under customer brand names or
in-house brands.  The Company's Birds Eye vegetable brand is marketed
throughout the United States.  The Company's canned mixed vegetable, Veg-All,
is marketed in all major and secondary markets throughout the United States,
while Veg-All frozen and canned single vegetable items are marketed in the
Southeast and the South.  The Freshlike canned and frozen vegetable line is
marketed primarily in the Midwest, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Texas.
Other vegetable products are marketed under private labels or in-house brands
throughout the United States and exported to the Far East, Mid-East, Europe,
Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean.  Retail or consumer sizes are distributed for
ultimate sales to consumers through chain and independent retail stores and
include Company brands and buyers' brands of all products.  Institutional
customers, including hotels, restaurants, in-plant feeding programs, and
schools are serviced through foodservice distributors with products packaged in
larger containers.

     During fiscal 1996, major capital expenditures included new electronic
sorting equipment, upgraded freezing capacity, improved warehousing and
implementing improved new management information systems. Fiscal 1995 major
capital expenditures included the completion of the new carrot line in Uvalde,
Texas and a waste water treatment plant in Celaya, Mexico.  Major capital
projects in 1994 included the installation of a carrot processing line at
Uvalde, Texas and

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an expansion of the office facilities in Green Bay, Wisconsin.  Fiscal 1993 and
1992 capital expenditures included the construction of a waste water treatment
facility at the Company's Bellingham, Washington location.

     Sales to unaffiliated customers for fiscal years 1996, 1995 and 1994 were
$574 million, $543 million and $420 million, respectively.


PICKLES BUSINESS SEGMENT

Pickles, Relishes and Specialty Items

     The Company is one of the largest pickle processors and marketers in the
United States with sales nationwide.  Pickles, relishes, pickled peppers and
other assorted specialty items are sold under several brand names, including
Arnold's, Atkins, Aunt Jane's, Cates, Dailey, Heifetz, Paramount, Pesta, Peter
Piper, Rainbo, Roddenbery, Tree and Warsaw Falcon.  Products are also sold for
branded and private label distribution to retail grocery store chains,
wholesalers and the foodservice industry and in bulk to other food processors.

     During fiscal 1996 capital improvements were made to upgrade and modernize
the Company's manufacturing facilities and reduce transportation costs.  Major
capital expenditure projects during fiscal 1995 included the installation of
processing equipment at the Company's Cairo, Georgia plant.  Fiscal 1994
capital expenditures included the construction of a new processing room at the
Company's LaJunta, Colorado plant.  Major capital expenditures in fiscal 1993
included installation of processing equipment at the Company's Plymouth,
Indiana plant and construction of administrative office facilities at its
Atkins, Arkansas location.  In fiscal 1992, additional warehouse capacity was
added at its Atkins, Arkansas location.

     The processing of pickle products is seasonal, dependent to a large extent
upon the growing season of cucumbers in the summer months.  Inventories are
therefore higher in the fall and winter months than in the spring and early
summer.

     The Company markets a number of specialty sauces, including shrimp,
seafood, tartar, horseradish, chili and sweet and sour sauces, in the Eastern,
Midwestern and Southern United States to retail grocers.  Products are sold
under the Bennett's and Hoffman House brand names.

     Sales to unaffiliated customers for the fiscal years 1996, 1995 and 1994
were $373 million, $367 million and $353 million, respectively.


SPECIALTY BUSINESS SEGMENT

Powdered Products

     Non-dairy coffee creamers are the Company's principal powdered products.
Powdered premium and low-fat products are sold primarily under private labels
to vending operators, office beverage service companies and institutional
foodservice distributors with national distribution which supply restaurants,
schools, health care institutions, hotels and vending and fast-food operations.
Non-dairy creamers are also sold for private label distribution to all classes
of the retail trade and sold in bulk to a number of other food companies for
use as an ingredient in their food products.  Powdered products are also sold
to international customers in Australia, Canada, the Far East, Mexico, South
America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.  The Company believes that it is
the largest manufacturer of non-dairy coffee creamers in the United States.
The Company's non-dairy coffee creamers are an economical and convenient
substitute for milk and cream.  These products require no refrigeration and
have long shelf lives.

     The Company, through an affiliate, provides stabilizers and other dry
ingredients to the United Kingdom, Continental Europe and other foreign
markets.


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     The Company's powdered products are sold in a broad variety of product
formulations and package sizes.  Capital expenditures during fiscal 1996
included the construction of a new production facility in the United Kingdom.
There were no major capital expenditures during fiscal years 1992 through 1995.

     Sales to unaffiliated customers for the fiscal years 1996, 1995 and 1994
were $129 million, $110 million and $100 million, respectively.

Sauces, Puddings and Dips

     The Company's aseptic products primarily include ready-to-serve natural
cheese sauces, puddings and other specialty sauces which are sterilized under a
process which allows storage for prolonged periods without refrigeration.
Aseptic products are sold nationwide, primarily under private labels to
distributors which supply restaurants, schools, hotels and other segments of
the foodservice industry.  There were no major capital expenditures during
fiscal 1996.  Major capital expenditures in fiscal 1995 and 1994 include a
multi-phase project to significantly upgrade the Dixon, Illinois facility with
the completion of a new batch make-up room.  There were no major capital
expenditures during fiscal years 1992 and 1993.

     The Company manufactures vegetable-fat-based party dips, low-fat sour
cream and sour cream replacements at its Rockford, Illinois facility.  These
products are sold nationally, but primarily east of the Rockies, under the
Dean's, King and private label brands in supermarkets and other retail outlets
through distributor or direct warehouse delivery.  Dean brand
vegetable-fat-based dips, available in regular, lowfat and non-fat varieties,
have the leading market position nationwide and the Company's Birds Eye Veggie
Dip is the second leading produce dip after its first year of distribution.

     During fiscal 1996 the Company acquired Rod's Food Products which brought
a significant West Coast presence to several of Dean's product lines.  Rod's
supplies a large and growing Western United States customer base with retail
snack dips and other oil-based products, as well as flavored salad dressings
for the foodservice trade.  Retail products are sold under the Rod's, Imo,
Slender Choice, Chivo and Zesty brand names and a number of private labels.

     Sales to unaffiliated customers for the fiscal years 1996, 1995 and 1994
were $100 million, $74 million and $69 million, respectively.

DFC Transportation

     DFC Transportation Company, a transportation and logistics subsidiary of
the Company, operates nationwide with a fleet of approximately 110 tractors and
215 trailers, providing less-than-truckload refrigerated and frozen cartage
service.  Its customers include food and industrial companies.  A significant
portion of its revenues are derived from the brokerage of various types of
freight.  During the fourth quarter of 1992, the Company decided to terminate
operation of the refrigerated truckload transportation portion of its trucking
business and a charge to earnings was provided for the costs associated with
such termination.

     Revenues from unaffiliated customers in fiscal years 1996, 1995 and 1994
were $27 million, $23 million and $20 million, respectively.  Revenues relating
to hauling products for other divisions and subsidiaries of the Company have
been eliminated.

RAW MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES

     The Company's business is dependent upon obtaining adequate supplies of
raw and processed agricultural products.  Historically, the Company has been
able to obtain adequate supplies of agricultural products.

     Raw milk and other agricultural products are generally purchased directly
from farmers and farm cooperatives.  The Company does not have long-term
purchase contracts for agricultural products.  The price of raw milk is
extensively regulated.  In fiscal 1996, raw milk costs were slightly below
fiscal 1995 levels during the first six months and then increased to higher
levels than fiscal 1995 by year-end.  Raw milk costs fell substantially in the
first quarter of fiscal 1995 remaining stable throughout the balance of the
year.  In fiscal 1994, raw milk costs exceeded fiscal 1993 levels during the
first quarter, fell in the second quarter and then increased significantly
during the last half of the year, remaining higher than fiscal 1993 levels.
Raw milk costs in fiscal 1997 are expected to exceed fiscal 1996 costs.

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     The Company produces most of its plastic gallon and half-gallon container
requirements for its fluid milk business.  Can requirements for canned
vegetables are primarily furnished by three can manufacturers, and glass
containers for pickles and related products are purchased from one main
supplier, as required, at competitive prices.

     Certain commodities, such as corn syrups, vegetable oils, sugar and
casein, and various packaging supplies are purchased from numerous sources on a
normal purchase order basis, with vegetables and cucumbers purchased under
seasonal grower contracts.  The Company is not dependent upon any single
supplier and is confident that any lost supplier requirements could be replaced
in the ordinary course of business.

     In its vegetable and pickle operations, the Company supplies seed to and
advises growers regarding planting techniques, monitors and arranges for the
control of insects, directs the harvest, and, for some crops, provides
automated harvesting service.  Vegetable supplies are largely dependent on
regional weather and growing conditions.  Although weather-related delays and
crop conditions have been encountered this year in certain growing areas, early
indications are that supplies will be normal to below normal with fiscal 1997
crop costs approximating fiscal 1996 crop cost levels.  Industry-wide excess
inventory levels which led to reduced pricing and the poor 1995 Midwest harvest
which resulted in higher costs caused Vegetables operating earnings in fiscal
1996 to decline substantially compared with fiscal 1995.  Weather-related crop
shortages and harvest delays in the Midwest growing region resulted in higher
fiscal 1994 profit margins in the Company's vegetable business.  Industry-wide
inventories of certain vegetables were high during fiscal  years 1993 and 1992
which resulted in decreased pricing and lower profit margins.

     Although Midwest crop plantings were late due to adverse planting
conditions, the spring 1996 cucumber harvest was good and fiscal 1997 cucumber
costs should approximate fiscal 1996 costs.  Raw cucumber costs were higher in
fiscal 1996 compared with fiscal 1995 due to the poor Southeast cucumber
harvest and the necessity to source cucumber requirements from higher cost
growing areas.  The prices of raw cucumbers increased in fiscal 1995 as a
result of weather-related costs after being relatively stable during the two
previous fiscal years.

DISTRIBUTION

     Dairy products are principally delivered to grocery chain stores or
warehouses directly from the Company's processing plants by the Company, in
trucks which it owns or leases, and by independent distributors.  In certain
states, products are also delivered to the Company's distribution branches from
which distribution is then made to customers.  The Company has continued its
efforts to streamline its distribution system for Dairy products.  Major
economies have been effected in recent years through consolidation of
distribution branches and routes, with emphasis on direct truck delivery to
retail stores and warehouses of grocery chains.  The Company's Vegetables,
Pickles and Specialty products are delivered to warehouses and food
distributors by the Company's fleet of trucks and outside freight carriers.
Inventories of frozen and canned vegetables are maintained by the Company in
warehouses throughout the country in order to maintain a ready supply for rapid
delivery to local retailers.

COMPETITION

     The Company's business is highly price competitive with relatively low
operating margins.  Quality and customer service are important factors in
securing and maintaining business.  An important aspect of the Company's
service to customers is computer ordering, shipping and billing systems.
Referred to in the food industry as "Efficient Consumer Response", the Company
has over the last few years made a substantial commitment to these areas.  The
Company's Dairy business operates in a number of different geographical
markets, competing in some against national companies and in others against
regional or local companies.  In certain markets, some supermarket chain stores
have their own dairy products processing plants.  Generally, in each major
market and product class there are a number of competitors, some of which have
greater sales and assets than the Company's operations in that market.  The
Company's Vegetables, Pickles and Specialty products are marketed nationwide
and, in some cases, internationally.  The degree of penetration and competitive
conditions in each market varies, but the Company does not consider that it has
any material competitive advantage in any of its major markets or product
classes.

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EMPLOYEES

     The Company has approximately 11,500 employees (10,500 full-time), of whom
approximately 4,500 are represented by the International Brotherhood of
Teamsters and other unions under thirty-nine collective bargaining agreements.
Nine of these agreements expire during fiscal 1997.  These include agreements
with employees at the Evart, Michigan; Olean, New York; and Belleville,
Pennsylvania dairy plants; La Junta, Colorado and Croswell, Michigan pickle
plants; the Dixon, Illinois specialty plant and the Wisconsin Dean Foods
Vegetable Company plants.  Generally, the Company considers its employee
relations to be good.

     The Company has approximately 6,600 seasonal positions at its vegetable
operations and its pickle processing plants, principally during the summer
months.  At times, the Company has experienced difficulties in meeting seasonal
employee needs.  The Company estimates that two individuals are hired for each
seasonal position.  A number of strategies have been employed to retain
seasonal employees including incentive programs and employee sharing programs.

ENVIRONMENT

     On July 10, 1996, a subsidiary of the Company was fined approximately $4.0
million in a lawsuit filed by the United States of America in the United States
District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania alleging violations of
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act relating to the discharge of
conventional, non-hazardous substances.  The Company has filed various
post-trial motions seeking to reduce or eliminate the fine.  The Company
provided for this exposure in 1996 and in light of reserves existing at May 26,
1996, the ultimate resolution of the imposed fine is not expected to have a
material effect on the financial position or results of operations of the
Company.

     The Company's compliance with Federal, State and local regulations
relating to the discharge of material into the environment or otherwise
relating to the protection of the environment has not had a material effect on
the Company's capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position. The
Company's fiscal 1996 special charge to earnings included a provision covering
the estimated potential environmental cleanup costs associated with the closure
of certain manufacturing facilities.  The Company continues to give
considerable attention to the impact or potential impact of its operations on
the environment.


ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES.

     The Company owns fifty-six of its processing plants (four of which are
subject to mortgage) and leases the other three under leases expiring from
fiscal 1997 through fiscal 2011.  The Company has various distribution branches
and storage warehouses located throughout the country, some of which are owned
and some leased.  The Company considers its properties suitable and adequate
for the conduct of its business.  A number of the Vegetables facilities are
operated only during the vegetable intake season.  All other production
facilities are principally operated at or near capacity levels, but generally
on the basis of fewer than three shifts per day.

     Further information relating to the Company's leases is contained in the
Note 10 to consolidated financial statements appearing in the Company's Fiscal
1996 Annual Report (Exhibit 13a hereto) on page 36.  Such information is hereby
incorporated by reference.

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     The locations of the Company's processing facilities, by product category
within business segment, are set forth below:



                                         DAIRY

Fluid Milk and Cultured Products
        Miami, Florida                            Barberton, Ohio
        Orange City, Florida                      Springfield, Ohio
        Orlando, Florida                          Belleville, Pennsylvania
        Chemung, Illinois                         Erie, Pennsylvania
        Huntley, Illinois                         Sharpsville, Pennsylvania
        Rockford, Illinois                        Athens, Tennessee
        Rochester, Indiana                        El Paso, Texas
        Louisville, Kentucky                      Lubbock, Texas
        Evart, Michigan                           Salt Lake City, Utah
        Albuquerque, New Mexico                   Sheyboygan, Wisconsin
                                                  
Ice Cream                                         
        Ft. Lauderdale, Florida                   Athens, Tennessee
        Belvidere, Illinois                       Barberton, Ohio
        Albuquerque, New Mexico                   
                                                  
Extended Shelf Life                               
        Jacksonville, Florida                     Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
        Murray, Kentucky                          
                                                  
                                       VEGETABLES 
Frozen and Canned Vegetables                      
        Oxnard, California                        Cambria, Wisconsin
        Watsonville, California                   Cedar Grove, Wisconsin
        Hartford, Michigan                        Darien, Wisconsin
        Arlington, Minnesota                      Fairwater, Wisconsin
        Waseca, Minnesota                         Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
        Fulton, New York                          Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin
        McAllen, Texas                            Green Bay, Wisconsin
        Uvalde, Texas                             Hortonville, Wisconsin
        Bellingham, Washington                    Celaya, Mexico
        Brillion, Wisconsin                       
                                                  
                                       PICKLES    
Pickles, Relishes and Specialty Items             
        Atkins, Arkansas                          Croswell, Michigan
        LaJunta, Colorado                         Eaton Rapids, Michigan
        Sanford, Florida                          Faison, North Carolina
        Cairo, Georgia                            Green Bay, Wisconsin
        Plymouth, Indiana                         
                                                  
                                       SPECIALTY  
Powdered Products                                 
        Pecatonica, Illinois                      Wayland, Michigan
        Rockford, Illinois                        Abingdon, Oxon, United Kingdom
                                                  
Sauces, Puddings and Dips                         
        City of Industry, California              Rockford, Illinois
        Dixon, Illinois                           
                                                  
DFC Transportation                                Huntley, Illinois



                                       9



<PAGE>   10


     Distribution branches for the Dairy segment are located in Alabama,
Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

     Distribution warehouses for the Vegetables, Pickles and Specialty segments
are maintained adjacent to many processing plants with public warehouses
utilized throughout the United States for further distribution of vegetable and
pickle products.  The Company maintains powdered product warehouses utilized
throughout the United States. A Company-owned transportation terminal and
maintenance facility is located in Illinois.


ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

     Information on legal proceedings is contained in the Company's Fiscal 1996
Annual Report (Exhibit 13a hereto) on page 36 in Note 13 to the consolidated
financial statements.  Such information is hereby incorporated herein by
reference.


ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

     No matter was submitted to a vote of security holders, through the
solicitation of proxies or otherwise, during the fourth quarter of the fiscal
year ended May 26, 1996.


EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.

     Information regarding the Company's executive officers is set forth in
Item 10 of Part III of this Report.

                                       10



<PAGE>   11

                                    PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

     The Company's Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under
the ticker symbol DF.  The range of Common Stock sales prices for each of the
quarters during the past two fiscal years (as reported by the New York Stock
Exchange) and the frequency and amount of Common Stock dividends declared the
past two fiscal years are set forth under the caption "Quarterly Financial
Data" at page 38 of the Company's Fiscal 1996 Annual Report (Exhibit 13a
hereto) in the rows captioned "Stock Price Range" and "Dividend Rate".  Such
rows and the column and row captions related thereto are hereby incorporated
herein by reference.

     The approximate number of holders of record of the Company's Common Stock
on August 9, 1996, was 9,340.

     Restrictions on the Company's ability to pay dividends on its Common Stock
are described in the fourth paragraph of  Note 4 to the consolidated financial
statements at page 33 of the Company's Fiscal 1996 Annual Report (Exhibit 13a
hereto), which paragraph is hereby incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

     Selected financial data for each of the Company's last five fiscal years
is set forth at page 39 of the Company's Fiscal 1996 Annual Report (Exhibit 13a
hereto) under the caption "Summary of Operations".  Such selected financial
data is hereby incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
     RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

     A discussion of the Company's financial condition, cash flows and results
of operations, including information with respect to liquidity and capital
resources, is set forth at pages 20 through 25 of the Company's Fiscal 1996
Annual Report (Exhibit 13a hereto) under the caption "Financial Review", which
discussion is hereby incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

     The Company's consolidated balance sheets as of May 26, 1996 and May 28,
1995 and related consolidated statements of income, of shareholders' equity and
of cash flows for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended May 26,
1996, and the notes thereto, together with the report thereon of independent
accountants, are set forth on pages 26 through 38 of the Company's Fiscal 1996
Annual Report (Exhibit 13a hereto).  Such financial statements, notes thereto
and the report thereon of independent accountants are hereby incorporated
herein by reference.

     Financial data for each quarter within the two most recent fiscal years is
set forth under the caption "Quarterly Financial Data" at page 38 of the
Company's Fiscal 1996 Annual Report (Exhibit 13a hereto) in the rows captioned
"Net Sales", "Gross Profit", "Net Income (Loss)" and "Per Common Share Data:
Net Income (Loss)".  Such rows and row captions related thereto are hereby
incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
         FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

     None.


                                       11



<PAGE>   12



                                    PART III

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.

     Information regarding the Company's directors (including nominees for
election at the Company's Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held October 1,
1996) is set forth at pages 1 through 6 of the Company's 1996 Proxy Statement
under the captions "ELECTION OF DIRECTORS" and "CERTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS".  Such information is hereby incorporated herein by
reference.

     Information supplied by the Company's executive officers who are not also
directors of the Company concerning their ages, business experiences, and
periods of service as executive officers is as follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Served in
                           Position with                        such position
                           the Company                     Age      since
                           ------------------------------  ---  -------------
<S>                        <C>                             <C>  <C>
  Eric A. Blanchard .....  Vice President,                 40       1993
                           Secretary and General Counsel

  Jenny L. Carpenter ....  Vice President,                 50       1995
                           Sales and Marketing -
                           Specialty Food Products

  Gary A. Corbett .......  Vice President, Governmental    48       1993
                           and Dairy Industry Relations

  Gary D. Flickinger ....  Vice President, Production      54       1993

  Daniel E. Green .......  Group Vice President,           51       1992
                           Specialty Dairy Division

  James R. Greisinger ...  Group Vice President and        55       1992
                           President of Dean Pickle and
                           Specialty Products Company

  Dale I. Hecox .........  Treasurer                       64       1985

  Charles D. Kinser. ....  Vice President, Engineering     64       1995

  Rodney T. Liddle. .....  Vice President,                 39       1996
                           Strategic Planning

  William R. McManaman ..  Vice President, Finance         49       1996
                           and Chief Financial Officer

  George A. Muck ........  Vice President,                 58       1970
                           Research & Development

  Douglas A. Parr .......  Vice President,                 54       1993
                           Dairy Sales and Marketing

</TABLE>
                                       12




<PAGE>   13
<TABLE>
<S>                        <C>                             <C>  <C>

  Dennis J. Purcell .....  Corporate Group Vice President  53       1993

  Roger A. Ragland ......  Group Vice President,           62       1995
                           International

  Jeffrey P. Shaw .......  Group Vice President and        39       1992
                           President of Dean Foods
                           Vegetable Company
</TABLE>


     Each of the executive officers, including executive officers who are also
directors, was elected to serve as an executive officer until the next annual
meeting of directors, scheduled for October 1, 1996.

     All of the Company's executive officers listed in Part III, Item 10 have
been employees of the Company for more than five years, with the exception of
Mr. McManaman and Mr. Parr.  Prior to assuming their current positions,


- -    Mr. Blanchard was the Company's secretary and general counsel;
- -    Ms. Carpenter was the Company's Director of Marketing and Sales-Specialty
     Foods Division;  
- -    Mr. Corbett was in the Company's sales administration management;
- -    Mr. Flickinger was the Director of Production - Dairy and a divisional 
     general manager;
- -    Mr. Green was the Company's Vice President, Corporate Planning and 
     Development;
- -    Mr. Greisinger was a Company Vice President and President of Dean Pickle 
     and Specialty Products Company;
- -    Mr. Kinser was the Company's Director of Engineering;
- -    Mr. Liddle was the Company's Controller, Corporate and Specialty Foods
     Operations;
- -    Mr. Purcell was Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Dean 
     Pickle and Specialty Products Company;
- -    Mr. Ragland was a divisional sales vice president;
- -    Mr. Shaw was President of the Company's Richard A. Shaw, Inc. subsidiary,
     which was subsequently merged into Dean Foods Vegetable Company.


Mr. McManaman was employed by the Company during 1996.  Mr. McManaman, prior to
this employment by the Company, was the Vice President - Finance of Brunswick
Corporation, a diversified marine and recreational products company.

Mr. Parr has been employed by the Company since 1992.  Prior to assuming his
present duties he was a Company regional sales manager.  Mr. Parr, prior to his
employment by the Company, was the Vice President - Western Zone Dairy Group of
Borden, Inc., a diversified food and dairy company.

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

     Information regarding the cash compensation of the Company's executive
officers, compensation pursuant to plans and compensation of the Company's
directors (including nominees for election at the Company's Annual Meeting of
stockholders to be held October 1, 1996) is set forth in the Company's 1996
Proxy Statement at pages 5 through 6 under the caption "CERTAIN INFORMATION
REGARDING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS" and at pages 7 through 13 under the caption
"EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION."  Such information is hereby incorporated herein by
reference.

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.

     Information regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners and
management is set forth in the Company's 1996 Proxy Statement at pages 18 and
19 under the caption "PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF VOTING SECURITIES".  Such
information is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.

     None.

                                       13



<PAGE>   14




                                    PART IV

ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

  (a)The following documents are filed as a part of this Report.  The
     page number, if any, listed opposite a document indicates the page
     number in the sequential numbering system in the manually signed
     original of this Report where such document can be found.
                                                                        Page No.
      (1) Financial Statements

          The consolidated balance sheets at May 26, 1996 and 
          May 28, 1995, the related consolidated statements of income, 
          of shareholders' equity and of cash flows for each of the 
          three fiscal years in the period ended May 26, 1996, and the 
          notes thereto, together with the report thereon of Price 
          Waterhouse LLP dated June 25, 1996, except as to the second 
          sentence of Note 13, which is as of July 10, 1996, as 
          incorporated by reference in Part II, Item 8 of this Report.

      (2) Financial Statement Schedules


          Report of independent accountants on financial statement schedule   16

          Schedule VIII - Valuation and qualifying accounts                   17

          All other schedules have been omitted because they are not 
          applicable, or not required, or because the required information 
          is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

          Separate financial statements of the Registrant have been omitted 
          since the Registrant is primarily an operating company and all 
          subsidiaries included in the consolidated financial statements, 
          in the aggregate, do not have minority equity interest and/or 
          indebtedness to any person other than the Registrant or its 
          consolidated subsidiaries in amounts which together exceed 5% 
          of total consolidated assets at May 26, 1996, except for
          indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business which 
          is not overdue and which matures within one year from the 
          date of its creation.



      (3) Exhibits

          See Exhibit Index                                              18 - 19

  (b) Reports on Form 8-K.

      (1) Registrant filed a Current Report on Form 8-K, dated July 15,
          1996, with regards to the Registrant's Press Release, dated 
          the same, "Dean Foods Names Thomas L. Rose Vice Chairman".



                                       14

<PAGE>   15




                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                   DEAN FOODS COMPANY


                                   By   William R. McManaman
                                      ------------------------------  
                                        William R. McManaman
                                        (Vice President, Finance and
                                         Chief Financial Officer)
Date:  August 23, 1996

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

      Signature                 Title               Date
      ---------                 -----               ----        

HOWARD M. DEAN          Chairman of the Board  August 23, 1996
- ----------------------  and Director
Howard M. Dean                      

EDWARD A. BRENNAN       Director               August 23, 1996
- ----------------------
Edward A. Brennan

LEWIS M. COLLENS        Director               August 23, 1996
- ----------------------
Lewis M. Collens

PAULA H. CROWN          Director               August 23, 1996
- ----------------------
Paula H. Crown

JOHN P. FRAZEE, JR.     Director               August 23, 1996
- ----------------------
John P. Frazee, Jr.

BERT A. GETZ            Director               August 23, 1996
- ----------------------
Bert A. Getz

JOHN S. LLEWELLYN, JR.  Director               August 23, 1996
- ----------------------
John S. Llewellyn, Jr.

RICHARD P. MAYER        Director               August 23, 1996
- ----------------------
Richard P. Mayer

ANDREW J. MCKENNA       Director               August 23, 1996
- ----------------------
Andrew J. McKenna

THOMAS A. RAVENCROFT    Senior Vice President  August 23, 1996
- ----------------------  and Director
Thomas A. Ravencroft    

THOMAS L. ROSE          President              August 23, 1996
- ----------------------  and Director
Thomas L. Rose          

ALEXANDER J. VOGL       Director               August 23, 1996
- ----------------------
Alexander J. Vogl



                                      15

        
<PAGE>   16





                      REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS ON
                          FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE






To the Board of Directors
Dean Foods Company



Our audits of the consolidated financial statements referred to in our report
dated June 25, 1996, except as to the second sentence of  Note 13, which is as
of July 10, 1996, appearing on page 38 of the Dean Foods Company Annual Report
to Shareholders for Fiscal Year Ended May 26, 1996 (which report and
consolidated financial statements are incorporated by reference in this Annual
Report on Form  10-K) also included an audit of the Financial Statement
Schedule listed in Item 14(a) of this Form 10-K.  In our opinion, this
Financial Statement Schedule presents fairly, in all material respects, the
information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related
consolidated financial statements.





                                           PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP

Chicago, Illinois
June 25, 1996



                                            16


<PAGE>   17
                      DEAN FOODS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

               SCHEDULE VIII - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Amount
                                                charged
                                   Balance at  (credited)    Accounts   Balance
                                   beginning  to costs and   written    at end
Classification                     of period   expenses        off     of period
- --------------                     ---------- ------------   --------  ---------
                                                     (In thousands) 

<S>                                  <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>
Fiscal Year Ended May 26, 1996                               
- ------------------------------                               
                                                             
Allowance for doubtful                                       
 accounts and notes                                          
 receivable......................... $4,257     $2,000       $3,056     $3,201
                                     ======     ======       ======     ======
                                                             
                                                             
                                                             
Fiscal Year Ended May 28, 1995                               
- ------------------------------                               
                                                             
Allowance for doubtful                                       
 accounts and notes                                          
 receivable......................... $3,875       $666         $284     $4,257
                                     ======       ====         ====     ======
                                                             
                                                             
                                                             
Fiscal Year Ended May 29, 1994                               
- ------------------------------                               
                                                             
Allowance for doubtful                                       
 accounts and notes                                          
 receivable......................... $4,470       $326         $921     $3,875
                                     ======       ====         ====     ======
</TABLE>







                                       17



<PAGE>   18




                                 EXHIBIT INDEX

     The following documents are the exhibits to this Report.  For convenient
reference, each exhibit is listed according to the number assigned to it in the
Exhibit Table of Item 601 of Regulation S-K.  The page number, if any, listed
opposite an exhibit indicates the page number in the sequential numbering
system in the manually signed original of this Report where such exhibit can be
found.

                                                                       Page No.
                                                                       --------
(3)  Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws

     a. Dean Foods Company Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated 
        February 8, 1988 (filed as Exhibit 3(a) to Registrant's Form
        10-K Annual Report for Fiscal Year Ended May 29, 1988 and
        incorporated herein by reference)

     b. By-Laws of Registrant, as amended January 26, 1996               20-36

(4)  Instruments defining the rights of security holders, 
     including indentures

     a. Rights Agreement dated July 28, 1988 (filed as Exhibit 4(a) to
        the Registrant's Form 10-K Annual Report for Fiscal Year
        Ended May 28, 1989 and incorporated herein by reference)

     b. Amendment dated December 1, 1989, to Rights Agreement dated    
        July 28, 1988 (filed as exhibit 4(b) to Registrant's Form 10-K
        Annual Report for Fiscal Year Ended May 27, 1990 and
        incorporated herein by reference)

(10) Material contracts

     a. Amended and Restated Dean Foods Company Management Deferred    
        Compensation Plan, dated as of June 1, 1994 (filed as Exhibit
        10(a) to the Registrant's Form 10-K Annual Report for Fiscal
        Year Ended May  29, 1994 and incorporated herein by reference)
        
     b. Dean Foods Company Retirement Plan for Certain Directors       
        (filed as Exhibit 10(a) to Registrant's Form 10-K Annual
        Report for Fiscal Year Ended December 28, 1985 and
        incorporated herein by reference)

     c. Form of Agreement dated March 17, 1986, between Registrant and 
        each of its current executive officers (filed as Exhibit 10(b)
        to Registrant's Form 10-K Annual Report for Fiscal Year Ended
        December 28, 1985 and incorporated herein by reference)

     d. Form of Indemnification Agreement between Registrant and each
        of its directors and officers serving at any time after
        October 5, 1987 (filed as Exhibit 10(m) to Registrant's Form
        10-K Annual Report for Fiscal Year Ended May 29, 1988, and
        incorporated herein by reference)
        

                                      18



<PAGE>   19
                                                                      Page No.
                                                                      --------

     e. Amended and Restated Dean Foods Company Directors Deferred     
        Compensation Plan, dated March 25, 1988 (filed as Exhibit
        10(j) to Registrant's Form 10-K Annual Report for Fiscal Year
        Ended May 28, 1989 and incorporated herein by reference)
        
        
     f. Dean Foods Company Supplemental Benefit Plan for eligible
        officers, as amended and restated on May 24, 1991 (filed
        as Exhibit 10(k) to Registrant's Form 10-K Annual Report for
        Fiscal Year ended May 26, 1991 and incorporated herein by
        reference)
        
     g. Dean Foods Company Supplemental Incentive Compensation Plan    
        for certain officers, as amended March 31, 1989 (filed as
        Exhibit 10(l) to Registrant's Form 10-K Annual Report for
        Fiscal Year Ended May 28, 1989 and incorporated herein by
        reference)
        
     h. Dean Foods Company Director Stock Option Plan, dated   
        September 30, 1992 (filed as Exhibit 10(i) to Registrant's
        Form 10-K Annual Report for Fiscal Year ended May 30, 1993 and
        incorporated herein by reference)
        
     i. $200 Million Credit Agreement dated February 16, 1995; and     
        Amendment #1 dated February 13, 1996  (filed as Exhibit 10(1)
        to Registrant's Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for Quarterly
        Period Ended February 25, 1996 and incorporated herein by
        reference)


(11) Statement re computation of per share earnings                      37

(12) Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges                   38


(13) Annual report to security holders, Form 10-Q or quarterly report
     to security holders

     a. Dean Foods Company Annual Report to Shareholders for Fiscal
        Year Ended May 26, 1996                                        39-80

        With the exception of the financial statements, report of
        independent accountants thereon and certain other
        information expressly incorporated herein by reference, the
        Registrant's Annual Report to Shareholders for Fiscal Year
        Ended May 26, 1996 is not to be deemed filed as part of this
        Report.

(21) Subsidiaries of the Registrant

     a. Subsidiaries of the Registrant as of May 26, 1996                81

(23) Consents of Experts and Counsel


     a. Consent of Independent Accountants dated August 23, 1996         82

(27) Financial Data Schedules                                            83



                                      19
                                      

<PAGE>   1
                                                             EXHIBIT 3(b)

                                               IN EFFECT JANUARY 26, 1996


                                    BY-LAWS

                                       OF

                               DEAN FOODS COMPANY


                                   ARTICLE I

                                    OFFICES

                Section l.  Registered Office.  The registered office of the
           corporation required by The General Corporation Law of the State of
AMENDED    Delaware shall be established and maintained at the office of The
10/3/86    Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street, in the City of
           Wilmington, State of Delaware, and the address of the registered 
           office may be changed from time to time by the Board of Directors.

                Section 2.  Principal Office.  The principal office of the
           corporation shall be located at 3600 North River Road, Franklin
           Park, Illinois.  The corporation may have such other offices, either
           within or without the State of Delaware, as the business of the
           corporation may require from time to time.


                                   ARTICLE II

                                  STOCKHOLDERS


                Section l.  Annual Meeting.  Commencing with the year l987, the
           annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and for
           the transaction of such other business as may be properly brought
AMENDED    before the meeting shall be held at such place, either within or
5/23/86    without the State of Delaware, and at such time and date as the
           Board of Directors, by resolution, shall determine and as set forth
           in the notice of the meeting.  In the event the Board of Directors
           fails to so determine the time, date, and place of meeting prior to
           the first day of September in any year, or the record date for
           determining  stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at said
           meeting, whichever be the earlier date, the annual meeting of
           stockholders shall be held at the principal office of the
           corporation on the last Monday in September of each calendar year,
           unless such date is a legal holiday, in which event such meeting
           shall be held on the next succeeding business day.

                Section 2.  Special Meeting.  Special meetings of the 
           stockholders may be called by the Chairman of the Board or the
AMENDED    President and shall be called by the Secretary at the written
5/31/85    request (meeting the requirements set forth in the Certificate of
           Incorporation) of either a majority of the Board of Directors, or
           the holders of at least 80% of the outstanding shares of Common
           Stock of the corporation.  Such special meetings may be held at such
           time and place, within or without the State of Delaware, and for
           such purpose or purposes as shall be stated in the notice of the
           meeting.

<PAGE>   2

                                       2



                Section 3.  Notice of Meetings.  Except as otherwise provided
           by statute, written or printed notice stating the place, day and
           hour of the meeting and, in case of a special meeting, the purpose
           or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered not
           less than ten days nor more than fifty days before the date of the
           meeting, either personally or by mail, by or at the direction of the
           Secretary, to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such
           meeting.  If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered
           when deposited in the United States mail in a sealed envelope
           addressed to the stockholder at his last known post office address
           as it appears on the stock record books of the corporation, with
           postage thereon prepaid.  When a meeting is adjourned to another
           time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if
           the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the
           adjournment is taken, unless the adjournment is for more than thirty
           days or a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting.

                Section 4.  Record Dates.  For the purpose of determining
           stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of
           stockholders at any adjournment thereof or entitled to receive
           payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any
           rights, or entitled to exercise any rights, or for the purpose of
           any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance,
           a record date, which shall not be more than sixty nor less than ten
           days before the date of such meeting, or more than sixty days prior
           to any other action.  If no record date is fixed:

                     (a)  The record date for determining
                stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a
                meeting of stockholders shall be the close of
                business on the day next preceding the day on
                which notice is given,
               
                     (b)  The record date for determining
                stockholders for any other purpose shall be the
                close of business on the day on which the Board of
                Directors adopts the resolution or resolutions
                relating thereto.

           A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or
           to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment
           of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may
           fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.  In no event shall
           the stock transfer books of the corporation be closed.

                Section 5.  List of Voting Stockholders.  The officer who has
           charge of the stock ledger of the corporation shall prepare and
           make, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a
           complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting,
           arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of and the
           number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder.  Such
           list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any
           purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for
           a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting, either at a
           place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place
           shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so
           specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held, and the
           list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting
           during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any
           stockholder who is present.


<PAGE>   3

                                       3


                Section 6.  Quorum.  The holders of a majority of the stock
           issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in
           person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all
           meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business except
           as otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of
           Incorporation.  If, however, such quorum shall not be present or
           represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders
           entitled to vote thereat present in person or represented by proxy,
           shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without
           notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall
           be present or represented.  At such adjourned meeting at which a
           quorum shall be present or represented by proxy any business may be
           transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as
           originally notified.

                Section 7.  Voting.  Each stockholder entitled to vote in
           accordance with the terms of the Certificate of Incorporation, of
           the resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors setting
           forth the voting powers, if any, of the holders of any series of
           Preferred Stock, or of these By-Laws shall be entitled to one vote,
           in person or by proxy, for each share of stock entitled to vote held
           by such stockholder, but no proxy shall be voted after three years
           from its date unless such proxy provides for a longer period.  All
           elections or directors shall be decided by plurality vote; all other
           questions shall be decided by majority vote except as otherwise
           provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, by the resolution or
           resolutions of the Board of Directors setting forth the voting
           rights, if any, of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, or
           by the laws of the State of Delaware.

                Section 8.  Voting of Shares by Certain Holders.

                     (a)  Shares standing in the name of another
                corporation, domestic or foreign, may be voted by
                such officers, agent or proxy as the By-Laws of
                such corporation may prescribe, or, in the absence
                of such provision, as the Board of Directors of
                such corporation may determine.

                     (b)  Shares standing in the name of a
                deceased person may be voted by his administrator
                or his executor either in person or by proxy, but
                no guardian, conservator or trustee shall be
                entitled, as such fiduciary, to vote shares held
                by him without a transfer of such shares into his
                name.
                     (c)  Shares standing in the name of a
                receiver may be voted by such receiver, and shares
                held by or under the control of a receiver may be
                voted by such receiver without the transfer
                thereof into his name, if authority so to do be
                contained in an appropriate order of the court by
                which such receiver was appointed, and a certified
                copy of such order is filed with the Secretary of
                the corporation before or at the time of the
                meeting.
              
                     (d)  A stockholder whose shares are pledged
                shall be entitled to vote such shares unless in
                the transfer by the pledgor on the books of the
                corporation he has expressly empowered the pledgee
                to vote thereon, in which case only the pledgee or
                his proxy may represent such stock and vote
                thereon.
              
<PAGE>   4

                                       4



                     (e)  If shares or other securities having
                voting power stand in names of two or more
                persons, or if two or more persons have the same
                fiduciary relationship respecting the same shares,
                unless the Secretary of the corporation is given
                written notice to the contrary and is furnished
                with a copy of the instrument or order appointing
                them or creating the relationship wherein it is so
                provided, their acts with respect to voting shall
                have the following effect:

                            (l)  The act of the majority voting
                                 binds all;

                            (2)  In all other cases, the effect
                                 provided by the laws of the State
                                 of Delaware.

                     (f)  Shares of the corporation belonging to
                it shall not be voted, directly or indirectly, at
                any meeting, and shall not be counted in
                determining the total number of outstanding shares
                at any given time, but shares of the corporation
                held by it in a fiduciary capacity may be voted
                and shall be counted in determining the number of
                outstanding shares at any given time.

                Section 9.  Proxies.  At all meetings of stockholders, a
           stockholder may vote in person or by written proxy filed with the
           Secretary of the corporation before or at the time of the meeting.
           To revoke his proxy as to any matter before the meeting, a
           stockholder must deliver written notice to that effect to the
           Secretary before that matter is submitted to a vote of the
           stockholders.

                                  ARTICLE III

                               BOARD OF DIRECTORS

                Section  l.  General Powers and Duties.  The property, business
           and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by its Board of
           Directors.


                Section  2.  Number and Qualification.  The Board of Directors
           shall be divided into three classes.  Class One shall consist of
           four directors whose term of office shall expire at the Annual
           Meeting of Stockholders to be held in l996, Class Two shall consist
           of four directors whose term of office shall expire at the Annual
AMENDED    Meeting of Stockholders to be held in l997 and Class Three shall
01/26/96   consist of four directors whose term of office shall expire at
           the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in l998.  At each
           Annual Meeting after the l995 Annual Meeting of Stockholders,
           successors to the class of directors whose term then expires shall
           be elected for a three-year term.

                Section  3.  Resignations.  Any director, member of a committee
           or other officer may resign at any time.  Such resignation shall be
           made in writing and shall take effect at the time specified therein
           or, if no time be specified, at the time of its receipt by the
           President or Secretary of the corporation.  The acceptance of a
           resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

<PAGE>   5

                                       5



                Section  4.  Vacancies.  If the office of any director, member
           of a committee or other officer becomes vacant, the remaining
           directors in office, though less than a quorum, by majority vote may
           appoint any qualified person to fill such vacancy, which person
           shall hold office the unexpired term and until his successor shall
           be duly chosen.

                Section  5.  Increase or Decrease of Number.  The number of     
           directors may be increased or decreased by amendment of these
AMENDED    By-Laws by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors,
1/26/96    though less than a quorum, and by like vote the additional directors
           may be chosen to hold office until the next annual election and
           until their successors are elected and qualified.

                Section  6.  Regular Meetings.  The regular annual meeting of
           the Board of Directors shall be held without other notice than this
           By-Law as promptly as possible after the annual meeting of
           stockholders in each year.  The place of such meeting shall be the
           same as that of the annual meeting of stockholders immediately
           preceding.  The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the
           time and place, either within or without the State of Delaware, for
           the holding of additional regular meetings without notice other than
           such resolution.


                Section  7.  Special Meetings.  Special meetings of the Board of
           Directors may be held at any time on the call of the Chairman of the
           Board or of the President and shall be called by the Chairman of the 
AMENDED    the President at the request in writing of any five (5) directors. 
5/13/85    Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such
           place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be
           specified or fixed in the call for such meeting or notice thereof.

                Section  8.  Notice of Special Meetings.  Notice of each
           special meeting shall be mailed by or at the direction of the
           Secretary to each director addressed to him at his residence or
           usual place of business at least three days before the day on which
           the meeting is to be held, or shall be sent to him by telegram, or
           be delivered personally, at least two days before the day on which
           the meeting is to be held.  If mailed, such notice shall be deemed
           to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail in a sealed
           envelope so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid.  If notice be
           given by telegraph, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when
           the same is delivered to the telegraph company.  Notice may be
           waived in writing by any director, either before or after the
           meeting.  Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose
           of, any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be
           specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.

                Section  9.  Quorum.  A majority of the total number of
           directors as at the time specified by the By-Laws shall constitute a
           quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board
           of Directors.  In the absence of a quorum, a majority of the
           directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a
           quorum be had, and without other notice than by announcement at the
           meeting at which the adjournment has been taken.

                Section l0.  Manner of Acting.  Except as otherwise provided by
           statute, by the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, or these
           By-Laws, the act of the majority of the directors present at a
           meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board
           of Directors.


<PAGE>   6

                                       6


                Section ll.  Compensation.  Directors shall receive such annual
           fee or meeting fee for their services as shall be established by
           resolution of the Board of Directors plus expenses of attendance at
           Board and Committee meetings, if any.  The Board may also authorize
           the payment of a fee for the attendance of any director at meetings
           of Committees of the Board.  Nothing herein contained shall be
           construed to preclude any director from serving the corporation in
           any other capacity and receiving his regular compensation therefor.


                Section l2.  Executive Committee. An Executive Committee        
AMENDED    consisting of four members of the Board of Directors may be elected
10/2/87    by the Board of Directors.   A chairman of said committee shall be
           elected by the Board of Directors from among the members of the
           Executive Committee.  Each director serving on the Executive
           Committee shall hold office until the Annual Meeting held next after
           his election and until his successor shall have been elected or
           qualified.  If an Executive Committee is elected, it shall, during
           the intervals between the meetings of the Board of Directors, and so
           far as it lawfully may, possess and exercise all of the authority of
           the Board of Directors in the management of the business of the
           corporation, in all cases in which specific directions shall not
AMENDED    have been given by the Board of Directors, provided that
10/30/69   notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive Committee shall not
           have authority:

                (l)  To take any action to amend the Certificate of
                     Incorporation;

                (2)  To adopt a plan of merger or plan of consolidation
                     with another corporation or corporations;

                (3)  To recommend to the stockholders the sale, lease,
                     exchange, mortgage, pledge or other disposition
                     of all or substantially all of the property and
                     assets of the corporation if not made in the usual
                     and regular course of its business;
 
                (4)  To recommend to the stockholders a voluntary
                     dissolution of the corporation or a revocation
                     thereof;

                (5)  To amend, alter or repeal the By-Laws of the
                     corporation;

                (6)  To elect or remove officers of the corporation
                     or members of the Executive Committee;

                (7)  To fix the compensation of any member of the
                     Executive Committee;

                (8)  To declare dividends;

                (9)  To amend, alter or repeal any resolution of the
                     Board of Directors which by its terms provides
                     that it shall not be amended, altered or repealed
                     by the Executive Committee.

           The Executive Committee shall keep minutes of the proceeding of
           their meetings which shall be submitted to the Board of Directors at
           the next meeting of the Board if the Board shall so request.  Three
           members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for the
           transaction of business, provided that if any member or members
           thereof are absent from a meeting or disqualified from membership on
           the Committee, the remaining member or members thereof present at
           any meeting and not disqualified from voting (whether or not he or
           they would otherwise constitute a quorum) may unanimously appoint
           another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in
           place of any such absent or disqualified member.

<PAGE>   7

                                       7

           Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be called upon the request
           of any member of the Executive Committee and notice of such meetings
           shall in each instance be given to each member of the Committee at
           least twenty-four hours before the meeting either orally or in
           writing.  A fixed sum and expenses of attendance, if any, may be
           allowed and paid for attendance at each meeting of the Executive
           Committee, the amount of such sum to be designated by the Board of
           Directors.

                Section l3.  Presumption of Assent.  A director of the
           corporation who is present at a meeting of the Board of Directors at
           which action on any corporate matter is taken shall be conclusively
           presumed to have assented to the action taken unless his dissent
           shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless he shall
           file his written dissent to such action with the person acting as
           the secretary of the meeting before the adjournment of the meeting.
           Such right to dissent shall be sent by registered mail to the
           Secretary of the corporation immediately after the adjournment of
           the meeting.  Such right to dissent shall not apply to a director
           who voted in favor of such action.

                Section l4.  Informal Action.  Any action required or permitted
           to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any
           committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if prior to such
           action a written consent thereto is signed by all members of the
           Board or of such committee, as the case may be, and such written
           consent is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or
           committee.

                Section l5.  Presence at Meetings.  Members of the Board of
           Directors or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of
           such board or committee by means of conference telephone or similar
           communications equipment by means of which all persons participating
           in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation shall
           constitute presence at such meeting.


                Section l6.  Committees.  The Board of Directors may, by 
           resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate one
           or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the
           directors of the corporation, which, to the extent provided in the
           resolution, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority
ADDED      of the Board of Directors with respect to the management of the
10/2/87    business affairs of the corporation and may authorize the seal of
           the corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it;
           but no such committee shall have the power or authority of the Board
           in reference to amending the Certificate of Incorporation (except
           that a committee may, to the extent authorized in the resolution or
           resolutions providing for the issuance of shares of stock adopted by
           the Board of Directors, fix the designations and any of the
           preferences or rights of such shares relating to dividends,
           redemption, dissolution, any distribution of assets of the
           corporation or the conversion into, or the exchange of such shares
           for, shares of any other class or classes or any other series of the
           same or any other class or classes of stock of the corporation or
           fix the number of shares of any series of stock or authorize the
           increase or decrease of the shares of any series), adopting an
           agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending to the
           stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all
           of the corporation's property and assets, recommending to the
           stockholders a dissolution of the corporation or a revocation of a
           dissolution, or amending these By-Laws; and, unless the resolution,
           these By-Laws or the Certificate of Incorporation expressly so
           provides, no such committee shall have the power or authority to
           declare a dividend, to authorize the issuance of stock or to adopt a
           Certificate of Ownership and Merger.  Such committee or committees
           shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to time
           by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors and the Board may
           designate one or more directors as alternate members of any
           committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified

<PAGE>   8

                                       8

           member at any meeting of the committee.  Additionally, in the
           absence or disqualification of any member of such committee or
           committees, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and
           not disqualified from voting, whether or not a quorum, may
           unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act
           at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified
           member.  Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings
           and report the same to the Board of Directors when required."


                                   ARTICLE IV

                                COMPANY OFFICERS


                Section  l.  Number.  The officers of the corporation shall be a
AMENDED    Chairman of the Board, a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a
01/26/96   Secretary and a Treasurer, all of whom shall be elected by the Board 
           of Directors; and in addition, during such periods as an Executive
           Committee shall be appointed, the Board of Directors shall select
           one of the members thereof to fill the office of Chairman of the
           Executive Committee.  The Board of Directors may elect or appoint
           one or more Assistant Secretaries, one or more Assistant Treasurers,
           and such other subordinate officers and agents as the Board may
           determine, to hold office for such period and with such authority
           and to perform such duties as may be prescribed by these By-Laws or
           as the Board may from time to time determine.  Any two or more
AMENDED    offices (including without limitation President, Chairman of
10/1/87    the Board and Chairman of the Executive Committee) may be
           held by the same person, except the offices of President and Vice
           President, and the offices of President and Secretary.

                Section  2.  Election, Term of Office and Qualifications.  The
           officers of the corporation shall be elected annually by the Board
           of Directors at the first meeting of the Board held after the annual
           meeting of stockholders.  If the election of officers shall not be
           held at such meeting, such election shall be held as soon thereafter
           as the same can conveniently be held.  Each officer shall hold his
           office until his successor shall have been duly elected and shall
           have qualified or until his death, resignation or removal.  The
           Chairman of the Board and the Chairman of the Executive Committee
           (if any) shall be members of the Board, but none of the other
           officers need be a member of the Board.  Election or appointment of
           an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights.

                Section  3.  Removal.  Any of the officers or agents appointed
           by the Board of Directors may be removed by the Board of Directors,
           whenever in its judgement the best interest of the corporation will
           be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to
           the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed.

                Section  4.  Vacancies.  A vacancy in any office because of
           death, resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise may be
           filled by the Board of Directors for the unexpired portion of the
           term.

                Section  5.  Bonds.  If the Board of Directors by resolution
           shall so require, any officer or agent of the corporation shall give
           bond to the corporation in such amount and with such surety as the
           Board of Directors may deem sufficient, conditioned upon the
           faithful performance of the respective duties and offices.

                Section  6.  Chairman of the Board; Chief Executive Officer. The
AMENDED    Chairman of the Board (and in his absence, disability, or at his     
12/2/88    discretion, the President) shall be the chief executive officer of
           the corporation.  The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all
           meetings of


<PAGE>   9

                                       9

           stockholders and of the Board of Directors; and shall be the
           superior officer to all other officers of the corporation.  Subject
           to the direction and authority of the Board of Directors, the
           Chairman of the Board shall be responsible for the implementation
           and direction of corporate policy, shall have authority over all
           officers of the corporation in the execution of the corporate
           policies as reflected in the orders and resolutions of the Board of
           Directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed
           by the Board of Directors from time to time.

                Section  7.  President.  Subject to the general control of the 
           Board of Directors and the Chairman of the Board, the President
AMENDED    shall be the chief operating officer of the corporation and as
12/2/88    such shall have the active management of, and exercise detailed
           supervision over, the business and affairs of the corporation and
           over its several officers.  In the absence or disability or at the
           direction of the Chairman of the Board, the President shall preside
           at all meetings of the stockholders and at meetings of the Board of
           Directors.  Subject to such general control, the President shall
           perform all duties usually incident to the office of President and
           such other duties as may be prescribed by the Chairman of the Board
           or the Board of Directors from time to time.

AMENDED          Section  8.  The Vice Presidents.  In the absence or disability
1/26/96    of the President, the Vice Presidents shall perform the duties of the
           President, and the Vice Presidents shall perform such other duties
           as from time to time may be assigned to them by the Chairman of the
           Board, the President or the Board of Directors.  The Board of
           Directors from time to time may determine the number and relative
           seniority of the Vice Presidents.

                Section 9.  Treasurer.  The Treasurer shall have charge and
           custody of, and be responsible for, all funds and securities of the
           corporation; receive and give receipts for monies due and payable to
           the corporation from any source whatsoever; deposit or cause to be
           deposited all monies in the name and to the credit of the
           corporation in such banks, trust companies or other depositaries as
           may be designated or selected by the Board of Directors; keep or
           cause to be kept full and accurate records and accounts of receipts
           and disbursements in books of the corporation and see that said
           books are kept in proper form and that they correctly show the
           financial transactions of the corporation; disburse or supervise the
           disbursement of the funds of the corporation as may be directed by
           the Board of Directors or by his superior officers, and take or
           cause to be taken proper vouchers for such disbursements; furnish to
           the Board of Directors, to any Executive Committee thereof, to the
           President, and to such other officers as the Board may designate, at
           such times as may be required, an account of all his transactions as
           Treasurer; be responsible under the direction of his superior
           officers, the Board of Directors, and any Executive Committee
           thereof, for activities relating to the obtaining and disbursement
           of capital; and in general, perform all of the duties incident to
           the office of Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time
           may be assigned to him by his superior officers, the Board of
           Directors, and any Executive Committee thereof.  The books and
           papers of the Treasurer shall at all times be open to the inspection
           of the President and each member of the Board of Directors.

                Section l0.  Secretary.  The Secretary shall attend all
           meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors and keep
           the minutes of such meetings in one or more books provided for that
           purpose; see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the
           provisions of these By-Laws, or as required by law; be custodian of
           the corporate records and of the seal of the corporation and see
           that the seal of the corporation or a facsimile thereof is affixed
           to or impressed on all certificates for shares prior to the issue
           thereof, and all documents,

<PAGE>   10

                                       10

           the execution of which on behalf of the corporation under its seal
           is duly authorized; sign with the Chairman of the Board, the
           President, or a Vice President certificates for shares of the
           corporation, the issue of which shall have been authorized by
           resolution of the Board of Directors; have general charge of the
           stock transfer books of the corporation and keep or cause to be kept
           the stock record and transfer books in such manner as to show at any
           time the total number of shares issued and outstanding, the names
           and addresses of the holders of record thereof as furnished to him
           by such record holders, the number of shares held by each and the
           time when each became such holder of record; see that the reports,
           statements, certificates and all other documents and records
           required by law are properly made, kept and filed; and in general,
           perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such
           other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by his
           superior officers, the Board of Directors, and any Executive
           Committee thereof.

                Section 11.  Assistant Treasurers.  At the request of the
           Treasurer, or in his absence or disability, the Assistant Treasurers
           shall perform all duties of the Treasurer, and when so acting shall
           have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon,
           the Treasurer.  Any such Assistant Treasurer shall perform such
           other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by his
           superior officers, the Board of Directors, and any Executive
           Committee thereof.

                Section l2.  Assistant Secretaries.  At the request of the
           Secretary, or in his absence or disability, the Assistant
           Secretaries shall perform the duties of the Secretary, including
           without limitation the signing, with the Chairman of the Board, the
           President or a Vice President, of certificates for shares of the
           corporation, and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and be
           subject to all the restrictions imposed upon, the Secretary.  Any
           such Assistant Secretary shall perform such other duties as from
           time to time may be assigned to him by his superior officers, the
           Board of Directors, and any Executive Committee thereof.

                Section l3.  Compensation.  The compensation of the officers
           shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors; provided
           that no officer shall be prevented from receiving such compensation
           by reason of the fact that he is also a director of the corporation.


                Section l4.  Delegation of Duties.  In case of the absence of
           disability to act of any officer of the corporation and of any
           person authorized to act in his place, the Board of Directors may,
           for the time being, delegate the powers and duties, or any of them,
           to any other office or any director or other person whom it may
AMENDED    select, and the President (or in his absence, the Chairman of the
10/1/87    Board) shall have the

<PAGE>   11

                                       11


           power to delegate such powers and duties subject to such action as
           the Board of Directors or any Executive Committee thereof, may take
           with respect to the same matter.


                                   ARTICLE V

                       DIVISIONS AND DIVISIONAL OFFICERS

                Section  l.  Establishment of Divisions.  The Board of
           Directors may cause the business and operations of this corporation
           to be divided into one or more divisions, based upon product
           manufactured, geographical territory, character and type of
           operations, operating units or upon such other basis as the Board of
           Directors may from time to time determine to be advisable.  Such
           divisions may operate under division or tradenames approved for such
           purpose by the Board of Directors and in such other manner as may be
           authorized by the Board.

                Section  2.  Divisional Officers.  The Board of Directors of
           the corporation may appoint such officers of the division with such
           titles (such as President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer,
           Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers of such division) as
           may from time to time be deemed appropriate.  Divisional officers
           shall have such authority with respect to the affairs of their
           respective divisions as officers with like titles generally have
           with respect to the affairs of any independent corporation or as may
           from time to time be assigned by the Chairman of the Board.

                With respect to the affairs of each division and in the regular
           course of its business, the officers of such division may sign
           contracts and other documents in the name of the division; provided,
           however, that in no case shall the officer of any one division have
           authority to bind another division of the corporation or to bind the
           corporation except as to the business and affairs of the division of
           which he is an officer.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                        SHARES, CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES
                             AND TRANSFER OF SHARES

                Section  l.  Regulation.  The Board of Directors may make such
           rules and regulations as it may deem expedient concerning the
           issuance, transfer and registration of certificates for shares of
           the corporation, including the appointment of transfer agents and
           registrars.

                Section  2.  Certificates for Shares.  Certificates
           representing shares of the corporation shall be respectively
           numbered serially for each class of shares, or series thereof, as
           they are issued, shall be impressed with the corporate seal or a
           facsimile thereof, and shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board
           or the President or a Vice President and by the Treasurer or an
           Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary;
           provided that such signatures may be facsimile on any certificate
           countersigned by an independent transfer agent or its employee, or
           by an independent registrar or its employee.  Each certificate shall
           exhibit the name of the corporation, state that the corporation is
           organized or incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware,
           the name of the person to whom issued, the date of issue, the class
           (or series of any class) and number of shares represented thereby
           and the par value of the shares represented thereby or that such
           shares are without par value.  If the corporation be authorized to
           issue stock of more than one class or of more than one series of any
           class, the designations, preferences and relative, participating,
           optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series
           thereof, and the

<PAGE>   12

                                       12

           qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences
           and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face
           or back of the certificates which the corporation shall issue to
           represent such class or series of stock; provided that, except as
           otherwise provided by law, in lieu of the foregoing requirement,
           there may set forth on the face or back of the certificates a
           statement that the corporation will furnish without charge to each
           stockholder who so requests the designations, preferences and
           relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each
           class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations
           or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.  Each certificate
           shall be otherwise in such form as may be prescribed by the Board of
           Directors and as shall conform to the rules of any Stock Exchange on
           which the shares may be listed.

                Section 3.  Cancellation of Certificates.  All certificates
           surrendered to the corporation for transfer shall be cancelled and
           no new certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof until the former
           certificate for a like number of shares shall have been surrendered
           and cancelled, except as herein provided with respect to lost,
           stolen or destroyed certificates.

                Section 4.  Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates.  Any
           stockholder claiming that his certificate for shares is lost,
           stolen, or destroyed may make an affidavit or affirmation of that
           fact and lodge the same with the Secretary of the corporation,
           accompanied by a signed application for a new certificate.
           Thereupon, and upon the giving of a satisfactory bond of indemnity
           to the corporation not exceeding in amount double the value of the
           shares represented by such certificate, such value to be determined
           by the President and Treasurer of the corporation, a new certificate
           may be issued of the same tenor and representing the same number,
           class and series of shares as were represented by the certificate
           alleged to be lost, stolen or destroyed.

                Section 5.  Transfer of Shares.  Shares of the corporation
           shall be subject to transfer on the books of the corporation by the
           holder thereof in person or by his duly authorized attorney, upon
           the surrender and cancellation of a certificate or certificates for
           a like number of shares.  Upon presentation and surrender of a
           certificate for shares properly endorsed and payment of all taxes
           therefore, the transferee shall be entitled to a new certificate or
           certificates in lieu thereof.  As against the corporation, a
           transfer of shares can be made only on the books of the corporation
           and in the manner hereinabove provided, and the corporation shall be
           entitled to treat the holder of record of any share as the owner
           thereof and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other
           claim to or interest in such share on the part of any other person,
           whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, save
           as expressly provided by the statutes of the State of Delaware.


                                  ARTICLE VII

                             DIVIDENDS AND RESERVES

                Section l.  Dividends.  Dividends upon the outstanding shares
           of the corporation (other than liquidating dividends) may be
           declared from its surplus or, in case there be no such surplus, out
           of its net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is
           declared and/or the preceding year.  However, if the capital of the
           corporation shall have been diminished in any way to an amount less
           than the aggregate amount of the capital represented by the issued
           and outstanding stock of all classes having a preference upon the
           distribution of assets, no dividend shall be declared and paid out
           of such net profits until the deficiency in the amount of capital
           represented by the issued and outstanding stock of all classes
           having a preference upon the distribution of assets shall
<PAGE>   13

                                       13

           have been repaired.  Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of 
           Incorporation, as amended from time to time and to any other lawful
           commitments of the corporation, and subject to the provisions of
           statute, dividends may be declared and made payable at such times
           and in such amounts as the Board of Directors may from time to time
           determine.  Dividends may be declared at any regular or special
           meeting of the Board and may be paid in cash or other property or in
           the form of a stock dividend.

                Section 2.  Reserves.  Before declaring any dividend or making
           any distribution of net profits, the Board of Directors, from time
           to time, may set apart out of any funds of the corporation available
           for dividends, a reserve or reserves for working capital, or to meet
           contingencies, or for any other lawful purpose, and also, from time
           to time, may abolish or decrease any such reserve or reserves.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                     CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS

                Section l.  Contracts.  Any contract or instrument authorized
           by the Board of Directors or duly appointed Executive Committee may
           be executed by the Chairman of the Board, the President or any Vice
           President and attested by the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary,
           the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer.  In addition, the Board of
           Directors may authorize any other officer or officers, agent or
           agents, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any
           instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation, and such
           authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

                Section 2.  Loans.  No loans shall be contracted on behalf of
           the corporation and no evidence of indebtedness shall be issued in
           its name, unless authorized by resolution of the Executive Committee
           or the Board of Directors.  Such authority may be general or
           confined to specific instances.

                Section 3.  Checks, Drafts, Notes, etc.  All checks, drafts or
           other orders for the payment of money and all notes or other
           evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the corporation
           shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents, of the
           corporation and in such manner as shall from time to time be
           determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

                Section 4.  Depositaries.  All funds of the corporation not
           otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the
           credit of the corporation in such banks, trust companies or other
           depositaries as the Board of Directors may designate.


                                   ARTICLE IX

                                 CORPORATE SEAL

                The corporate seal shall be circular in form and shall have
           inscribed thereon the name of the corporation and the words
           "Corporate Seal Delaware".  Said seal may be used by causing it, or
           a facsimile or equivalent thereof, to be impressed or affixed or
           reproduced.


                                   ARTICLE X

                                  FISCAL YEAR

<PAGE>   14

                                       14


AMENDED         The fiscal year of the corporation shall be a 52-53 week fiscal 
5/23/86    year which ends on the last Sunday of May.


                                   ARTICLE XI

                          STOCK IN OTHER CORPORATIONS

                Any shares of stock in any other corporation which may from
           time to time be held by this corporation may be represented and
           voted at any meeting (or consent in lieu thereof) of shareholders of
           such corporation by the Chairman of the Board, the President, a Vice
           President or the Secretary of this corporation, or by any other
           person or persons thereunto authorized by the Board of Directors, or
           by any proxy designated by written instrument of appointment
           executed in the name of this corporation by its Chairman of the
           Board, President, or a Vice President and attested by the Secretary,
           any Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer.


                                  ARTICLE XII

                            GENERAL WAIVER OF NOTICE

                Whenever any notice is required to be given under the
           provisions of these By-Laws, or under the provisions of the
           Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, or under the provisions of
           the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, waiver thereof
           in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice,
           either before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed
           equivalent to the giving of such notice.  The presence of a
           stockholder in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders,
           and the presence of a director, in person, at any meeting of the
           Board of Directors, shall be deemed to be the equivalent of such
           waiver, unless such presence is for the sole purpose of objecting to
           the lack of sufficient notice.


                                  ARTICLE XIII

                                INDEMNIFICATION


                Section l.  Each person who was or is a party or is threatened 
           to be made a party to or is involved, including involvement
           as a witness, in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
           criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by
           or in the right of the corporation), by reason of the fact that he
           (i) is or was or has agreed to become a director or officer of the
           corporation or (ii) is or was serving or has agreed to serve (at
           or during such time as such individual is or was a director or
AMENDED    officer of the corporation) as an employee, agent or fiduciary of
10/2/87    the corporation or, at the request of the corporation, as a
           director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of another
           corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise
           or entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit
           plan, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or
           omitted by such person in any such capacity, shall be indemnified
           and held harmless by the corporation to the fullest extent permitted
           by Delaware law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended
           (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that
           such amendment permits the corporation to provide broader
           indemnification rights than said law permitted the corporation to
           provide prior to such amendment), against all expense, liability and
           loss (including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, excise taxes or
           penalties under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
           amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and amounts expended in
           seeking indemnification granted to

<PAGE>   15

                                       15

           such person under applicable law, this Article, the corporation's
           Certificate of Incorporation or any agreement with the corporation)
           actually and reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in
           connection with such action, suit or proceeding and any appeal
           thereof, and such indemnification shall continue as to any such
           person who has ceased to be a director or officer of the corporation
           and shall inure to the benefit of any such person's heirs, executors
           and administrators, if in each case such person acted in good faith
           and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
           the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any
           criminal action, suit or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to
           believe his conduct was unlawful.  The termination of any action,
           suit or proceeding or any appeal thereof by judgment, order,
           settlement, conviction, or plea of nolo contendere or its
           equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that such
           person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably
           believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
           corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding,
           had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.

                Section 2.  Each person who was or is a party or is threatened
           to be made a party to or is involved, including involvement as a
           witness, in any action, suit or proceeding by or in the right of the
           corporation to procure a judgment in its favor, by reason of the
           fact that he (i) is or was or has agreed to become a director or
           officer of the corporation or (ii) is or was serving or has agreed
           to serve (at or during such time as such individual is or was a
           director or officer of the corporation) as an employee, agent or
           fiduciary of the corporation or, at the request of the corporation,
           as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of another
           corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise
           or entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit
           plan, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or
           omitted by such person in any such capacity, shall be indemnified
           and held harmless by the corporation to the fullest extent permitted
           by Delaware law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended
           (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that
           such amendment permits the corporation to provide broader
           indemnification rights than said law permitted the corporation to
           provide prior to such amendment) against all expense (including
           attorneys' fees and amounts expended in seeking indemnification
           granted to such person under applicable law, this Article, the
           corporation's Certificate of Incorporation or any agreement with the
           corporation) actually and reasonably incurred or suffered by such
           person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding and any
           appeal thereof, and such indemnification shall continue as to any
           such person who has ceased to be a director or officer of the
           corporation and shall inure to the benefit of any such person's
           heirs, executors and administrators, if in each case such person
           acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in
           or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except
           that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue
           or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be
           liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the
           Court of Chancery of Delaware or the court in which such action or
           suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the
           adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of
           the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to
           indemnification for such expenses which the Court of Chancery of
           Delaware or such other court shall deem proper.

                Section 3.  To the extent that any person referred to in
           Section l or 2 of this Article has been successful on the merits or
           otherwise, including the dismissal of an action without prejudice,
           in defense of any action, suit or proceeding and any appeal thereof
           referred to therein or in defense of any claim, issue or matter
           therein, he shall be indemnified against all expense (including
           attorneys' fees and amounts expended in seeking indemnification
           granted to such person under

<PAGE>   16

                                       16

           applicable law, this Article, the corporation's Certificate of
           Incorporation or any agreement with the corporation) actually and
           reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.

                Section 4.  Any indemnification under Section l or 2 of this
           Article (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation
           only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that
           indemnification of any person referred to in Section l or 2 is
           proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable
           standard of conduct set forth therein.  Such determination shall be
           made (i) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum
           (as defined in these By-Laws) consisting of directors who were not
           parties to such action, suit or proceeding, or (ii) if such quorum
           is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable a quorum of disinterested
           directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written
           opinion.

                Section 5.  Expenses incurred by any person referred to in
           Section l or 2 of this Article in defending a civil or criminal
           action, suit or proceeding and any appeal thereof shall be paid by
           the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action,
           suit or proceeding and any appeal thereof upon receipt by the
           corporation of an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to
           repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is
           not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation.

                Section 6.  If a claim for indemnification (including an
           advancement of expenses) under Section l or 2 is not paid in full by
           the corporation within thirty (30) days after a written claim has
           been received by the corporation, the claimant may at any time
           thereafter bring suit in any court of competent jurisdiction against
           the corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if
           the claimant is successful in establishing his right to
           indemnification (or advancement of expenses), in whole or in part,
           in any such action (or settlement thereof), he shall be entitled to
           be paid by the corporation the expense of prosecuting such claim.
           It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action
           brought to enforce a claim for an advancement of expenses where the
           required undertaking, if any, has been tendered to the corporation)
           that the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct
           described in Section l or 2.

                Section 7.  Any person serving as a director or officer of
           another corporation, partnership, joint venture or other enterprise,
           a majority of whose equity interests are owned by the corporation (a
           "subsidiary"), directly or through one or more other subsidiaries,
           shall be conclusively presumed to be serving in such capacity at the
           request of the corporation.

                Section 8.  Persons who after the date of the adoption of this
           provision become or remain directors or officers of the corporation
           or who, while a director or officer of the corporation, become or
           remain a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of another
           entity at the request of the corporation, shall be conclusively
           presumed to have relied on the rights to indemnification (including
           advancement of expenses) contained in this Article XIII in entering
           or continuing such service.  The rights contained in this Article
           shall apply to claims made against a person arising out of acts or
           omissions which occurred prior to the adoption hereof as well as
           those which occur after such adoption.

                Section 9.  The rights conferred on any person in Sections l
           and 2 shall not be exclusive of any other right which such person
           may have or hereafter acquire under any law, provision of the
           Company's Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, agreement,
           vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

<PAGE>   17

                                       17



                Section l0.  All rights to indemnification and advancement of
           expenses provided by this Article shall be deemed to be a contract
           between the corporation and each person referred to in Section l or
           2 at any time while this Article is in effect.  Any repeal or
           modification of this Article, or any repeal or modification of the
           relevant provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law or any
           other applicable law, shall not in any way diminish any rights to
           indemnification or advancement of expenses to such person or the
           obligations of the corporation.

                Section 11.  The corporation may maintain insurance, at its
           expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee,
           agent or fiduciary of the corporation or, if at the request of the
           corporation, of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture,
           trust or other enterprise or entity, including employee benefit
           plans, against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the
           corporation would have power to indemnify such person against such
           expense, liability or loss under the Delaware General Corporation
           Law.

                Section l2.  The Board of Directors is authorized to enter into
           a contract with any director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary
           of the corporation, or any person serving at the request of the
           corporation as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of
           another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
           enterprise or entity, including employee benefit plans, providing
           for indemnification rights equivalent to or, if the Board of
           Directors so determines, greater than those provided for in this
           Article XIII.

                Section l3.  The Board of Directors may, by resolution, extend
           the provisions of this Article pertaining to indemnification and
           advancement of expenses to any person who was or is a party or is
           threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
           completed action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he
           is or was or has agreed to become an employee, agent or fiduciary of
           the corporation, or is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the
           request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee, agent
           or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
           trust or other enterprise (notwithstanding that such individual may
           not be or have been or have ever agreed to become a director or
           officer of the corporation).

                Section l4.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
           provision of this Article shall not affect the validity or
           enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article.


                                  ARTICLE XIV

                                   AMENDMENTS


                These By-Laws may be altered, amended or repealed and new or 
           other By-Laws may be made and adopted by the vote of a
           majority of the total number of directors as at the time specified
AMENDED    by the By-Laws, at any regular or special meeting of the Board of
10/2/87    Directors, and without prior notice of intent so to do.



<PAGE>   1
                                                                     Exhibit 11


                      Dean Foods Company and Subsidiaries


                       Computation of Earnings Per Share
                     (In thousands, except per share data)




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              1996        1995        1994
                                              ----        ----        ----
<S>                                         <C>          <C>         <C>
Income (loss) before cumulative
 effect of changes changes
 in accounting principles                   $(49,688)    $80,059     $70,762

Cumulative effect of
 changes in accounting
 principles                                        -           -       1,179
                                              -------      -----       -----

Net Income (Loss)                           $(49,688)    $80,059     $71,941
                                              -------      -----       -----

Weighted Average Number of
 common shares outstanding
 during the period                            40,122      39,890      39,737
                                              -------      -----       -----

Primary Earnings (Loss) per share
 before cumulative effect of
 changes in accounting principles             $(1.24)      $2.01       $1.78

Cumulative effect of changes
 in accounting principles                          -           -         .03
                                              -------      -----       -----
Primary Earnings (Loss)
 Per Common Share                             $(1.24)      $2.01       $1.81
                                              =======      =====       =====
</TABLE>


                                       37

<PAGE>   1




                                                                      Exhibit 12
                      Dean Foods Company and Subsidiaries
               Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Fiscal Years Ending May
                             -------------------------------------------------------------
                                   1996      1995      1994      1993      1992      1991
                             -------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
  Income (loss) before taxes  $(69,395)  $136,388  $118,313  $114,759  $105,527  $124,340
                             -------------------------------------------------------------
              Fixed charges:
            Interest expense     28,120    22,397    15,471    14,888    15,551    16,780
            Debt issue costs        229       117       123       155       118       128
    Portion of rentals (33%)     10,142     8,270     6,997     7,653     9,124     8,528
                             -------------------------------------------------------------
         Total fixed charges     38,491    30,784    22,591    22,696    24,793    25,436
                             -------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings (loss) before taxes
           and fixed charges  $(30,904)  $167,172  $140,904  $137,455  $130,320  $149,776
                             =============================================================
    Ratio of earnings (loss)
            to fixed charges      - (*)       5.4       6.2       6.1       5.3       5.9
                             =============================================================
</TABLE>


(*) The Fiscal 1996 Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges is less than one-to-one
    due to the $150.0 million special charge included in "Income (Loss) before
    Taxes", resulting in $69,395 fixed charge coverage deficiency.


                                       38


<PAGE>   1
                                                             EXHIBIT 13



                   DEAN FOODS COMPANY   1996 Annual Report

                                    focus

                                  [GRAPHIC]
<PAGE>   2
                                   on what
                                  [GRAPHIC]
<PAGE>   3
                                  we do well


                                  [GRAPHIC]
<PAGE>   4
DEAN FOODS COMPANY


DEAN FOODS COMPANY HAS STEADILY GROWN TO BECOME ONE OF THE NATION'S LARGEST
DIVERSIFIED PROCESSORS OF DAIRY PRODUCTS AND SPECIALTY FOODS. FOR MORE THAN 70
YEARS, WE HAVE WORKED TO BUILD OUR COMPANY THROUGH INTERNAL GROWTH - BY
INTRODUCING NEW PRODUCTS AND EXPANDING OUR MARKETS - AS WELL AS THROUGH
STRATEGICALLY PLANNED AND CAREFULLY SELECTED ACQUISITIONS OF SUCCESSFUL
FOOD COMPANIES THAT ADD TO THE BREADTH AND DEPTH OF OUR OPERATIONS.


FOUNDED IN THE HEART OF THE MIDWEST IN 1925, DEAN FOODS IS NOW A LEADING
NATIONAL FOOD COMPANY, AND THE LARGEST FLUID MILK, FROZEN VEGETABLE AND
PICKLE PROCESSOR IN THE U.S. OUR FAMILY OF PRODUCTS ALSO INCLUDES ICE CREAM AND
FROZEN DESSERTS, EXTENDED SHELF LIFE AND OTHER SPECIALTY DAIRY ITEMS, CANNED
VEGETABLES, PEPPERS, RELISHES AND SPECIALTY ITEMS, NON-DAIRY COFFEE CREAMERS
AND ASSORTED POWDERED PRODUCTS, SNACK DIPS, DRESSINGS, ASEPTICALLY PACKAGED
SAUCES AND DIPS, AND MORE. FROM 59 PROCESSING PLANTS, WE SELL OUR PRODUCTS
UNDER OUR OWN BRAND NAMES AND MANY PRIVATE LABELS TO RETAIL, FOODSERVICE AND
FOOD MANUFACTURING CUSTOMERS THROUGHOUT THE U.S. AND ABROAD.


                                     two
<PAGE>   5


                                   [LOGOS]


                                    three
<PAGE>   6


FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS DEAN FOODS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1996                  1995             1994
<S>                                                     <C>                 <C>                 <C>   
In thousands, except for items marked with an*              
Operations
Net Sales                                                  $ 2,814,268           $ 2,630,182       $ 2,431,203
Operating Earnings (Loss)                                  $   (42,430)(a)       $   157,103       $   133,056
Income (Loss) Before Taxes                                 $   (69,395)(a)       $   136,388       $   118,313
Net Income (Loss)                                          $   (49,688)(a)       $    80,059       $    71,941(c)
Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share*                        $     (1.24)(a)       $      2.01       $      1.81(c)
Dividends Per Common Share*                                $       .72           $       .68       $       .64
Year-End Position                                                                   
Working Capital                                            $   185,942           $   215,012       $    92,915
Total Assets                                               $ 1,222,240           $ 1,202,426       $ 1,109,154
Long-Term Obligations                                      $   221,653           $   224,679       $   136,150   
Shareholders' Equity                                       $   507,692           $   584,526       $   524,774   
Shares Outstanding                                              40,133                40,078            39,789   
Other Data                                                                                                      
Production Plants*                                                  59(b)                 59                59
Employees*                                                      11,500(b)             11,800            12,100
Shareholders*                                                    9,481                 9,989             8,936
                                                                                                       
</TABLE>


 a) 1996 includes a pre-tax charge of $150,000 ($97,720 after-tax or $2.44 per
share) related to the adoption of a plan to reduce costs, rationalize
production capacity and provide for severance and environmental costs.

 b) 1996 includes certain plants that will be closed or disposed and certain
employees that will be affected by the adoption of a plan to reduce costs,
rationalize production capacity and provide for severance and environmental
costs.

 c) 1994 includes an after-tax gain of $1,179 ($.03 per share) related to
changes in accounting principles.


TABLE OF CONTENTS
MANUFACTURING MAP SIX  LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS EIGHT  KEY STRATEGIES TEN 
OPERATIONS REVIEW TWELVE  FINANCIAL REVIEW TWENTY  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  TWENTY
SIX NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS THIRTY ONE  SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS THIRTY NINE
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS FORTY  CORPORATE DATA INSIDE BACK COVER   


                                     five
<PAGE>   7
     [DEAN FOODS LOGO]
     DEAN FOODS COMPANY
     Harvard, IL - 192 Employees
     Fluid Milk, Cultured Products, Juices/Drinks
     Brands: Dean's, Guilt Free, Private Labels
     
     [BIRDSEYE LOGO]
     [FRESHLIKE LOGO]
     DEAN FOODS VEGETABLE COMPANY
     Waseca, MN - 165 Employees
     Frozen Vegetables
     Brands: Birds Eye, Freshlike, Private Labels
     
     [DEAN FOODS LOGO]
     DEAN FOODS COMPANY
     Huntley, IL - 137 Employees
     Fluid Milk, Juices/Drinks
     Brands: Dean's, Private Labels
     
     [BIRDSEYE LOGO]
     DEAN FOODS VEGETABLE COMPANY
     Bellingham, WA - 81 Employees
     Frozen Vegetables
     Brands: Birds Eye, Private Labels
     

     DFC TRANSPORTATION COMPANY
     Huntley, IL - 127 Employees
     Transportation
     
     [DEAN FOODS LOGO]
     [BIRDSEYE LOGO]
     DEAN FOODS COMPANY
     Rockford, IL - 102 Employees
     Non-Dairy Powder Creamers,
     Cultured Products, Dips
     Brands: Dean's, Birds Eye, Guilt Free,
     Private Labels
     
     [DEAN FOODS LOGO]
     DEAN FOODS COMPANY
     Franklin Park, IL -148 Employees
     Corporate
     
     [DEAN FOODS LOGO]
     DEAN FOODS COMPANY
     Pecatonica, IL  - 109 Employees
     Non-Dairy Powder Creamers
     Brands: Private Labels
     
     [DEAN FOODS LOGO]
     DEAN FOODS COMPANY
     Belvidere, IL  - 138 Employees
     Frozen Desserts, Frozen Novelties
     Brands: Dean's, Guilt Free, Private Labels
     
     [DEAN FOODS LOGO]
     DEAN FOODS AMBOY
     PACKAGING DIVISION
     Dixon, IL  - 119 Employees
     Aseptically Packaged, Cheese Sauce,
     Puddings, Specialty Sauces
     Brands: Dean's, Private Labels
     
     [CREAM O'WEBER LOGO]
     CREAM O'WEBER DAIRY, INC.
     Salt Lake City, UT  - 178 Employees
     Fluid Milk, Juices/Drinks
     Brands: Cream o'Weber, Private Labels
     
     [BIRDSEYE LOGO]
     [FRESHLIKE LOGO]
     DEAN FOODS VEGETABLE COMPANY
     Watsonville, CA  - 356 Employees
     Frozen Vegetables
     Brands: Birds Eye, Freshlike, Private Labels
     
     [BIRDSEYE LOGO]
     [FRESHLIKE LOGO]
     DEAN FOODS VEGETABLE COMPANY
     Oxnard, CA  - 26 Employees
     Frozen Vegetables
     Brands: Birds Eye, Freshlike, Private Labels
     
     ROD'S FOOD PRODUCTS
     City of Industry, CA  - 147 Employees
     Salad Dressings, Dips, Aerosol,
     Non-Dairy Creamers, Sour Cream
     Brands: Rod's, Rod's Imo, Pen & Quill
     
     [DEAN FOODS LOGO]
     [CREAMLAND LOGO]
     [PRICE'S LOGO]
     [GANDY'S LOGO]
     [CREAM O'WEBER LOGO]
     CREAMLAND DAIRIES, INC.
     Albuquerque, NM  - 228 Employees
     Fluid Milk, Cultured Products, Frozen
     Desserts
     Brands: Creamland, Price's, Gandy's,
     Cream o'Weber, Private Labels
     
     [BIRDSEYE LOGO]
     DEAN FOODS VEGETABLE COMPANY
     Uvalde, TX  - 53 Employees
     Frozen Vegetables
     Brands: Birds Eye, Private Labels
     
     [ATKINS LOGO]
     [AUNT JANE'S LOGO]
     [PETER PIPERS LOGO]
     [CATES LOGO]
     DEAN PICKLE & SPECIALTY
     PRODUCTS COMPANY
     La Junta, C - 165 Employees
     Pickles, Peppers, Relish
     Brands: Private Labels, Company Brands
     
     [PRICE'S LOGO]
     PRICE'S CREAMERIES
     El Paso, TX  - 79 Employees
     Fluid Milk, Juices/Drinks
     Brands: Price's, Private Labels
     
     [BELL LOGO]
     [GANDY'S LOGO]
     BELL DAIRY PRODUCTS, INC.
     Lubbock, TX  - 192 Employees
     Fluid Milk, Juices/Drinks
     Brands: Bell, Gandy's, Private Labels
     
     [BIRDSEYE LOGO]
     [FRESHLIKE LOGO]
     DEAN FOODS VEGETABLE COMPANY
     McAllen, TX  - 228 Employees
     Frozen Vegetables
     Brands: Birds Eye, Freshlike, Private Labels
     
     [DEAN FOODS LOGO]
     DEAN FOODS COMPANY
     Rochester, IN  - 113 Employees
     Fluid Milk, Cultured Products, Juices/Drinks
     Brands: Dean's, Guilt Free, Private Labels

                                     six
<PAGE>   8

     [DEAN FOODS LOGO]
     LIBERTY DAIRY COMPANY
     Evart, MI - 190 Employees
     Fluid Milk, Juices/Drinks
     Brands: Dean's, Private Labels
     
     [ATKINS PICKLES LOGO] [AUNT JANE'S LOGO] [PETER PIPER LOGO] [CATES LOGO]
     [HOFFMAN HOUSE LOGO]
     DEAN PICKLE & SPECIALTY
     PRODUCTS COMPANY
     Green Bay, WI - 256 Employees
     Pickles, Peppers, Relish, Cranberry Sauce,
     Sauces
     Brands: Bennett's, Hoffman House, Indian
     Trail, Peter Piper, Arnold, Atkins, Aunt
     Jane's, Cates, Heifetz, Ma Brown,
     Pilgrim Farms, Paramount, Rainbow,
     Private Labels
     
     [VERIFINE LOGO] [DEAN FOODS LOGO]
     VERIFINE DAIRY PRODUCTS
     CORPORATION
     Sheboygan, WI - 65 Employees
     Fluid Milk, Juices/Drinks
     Brands: Verifine, Dean's, Private Labels
     
     [ATKINS PICKLES LOGO] [AUNT JANE'S LOGO] [PETER PIPER LOGO] [CATES LOGO]
     DEAN PICKLE & SPECIALTY
     PRODUCTS COMPANY
     Croswell, MI - 182 Employees
     Pickles, Peppers, Relish
     Brands: Private Labels, Company Brands
     

     [DEAN FOODS LOGO]
     DEAN FOODS COMPANY
     Wayland, MI - 52 Employees
     Non-Dairy Powder Creamers,
     Instant Breakfast Drinks
     Brands: Private Labels
     
     [BIRDSEYE LOGO] 
     DEAN FOODS VEGETABLE COMPANY
     Fulton, NY - 307 Employees
     Frozen Vegetables
     Brands: Birds Eye, Private Labels
     

     [BIRDSEYE LOGO] [FRESHLIKE LOGO]
     DEAN FOODS VEGETABLE COMPANY
     Hartford, MI - 58 Employees
     Frozen Vegetables
     Brands: Birds Eye, Freshlike, Private Labels
     
     [BIRDSEYE LOGO] [FRESHLIKE LOGO] [VEG-ALL LOGO]
     DEAN FOODS VEGETABLE COMPANY
     Green Bay, WI - 1,027 Employees
     Frozen and Canned Vegetables
     Brands: Birds Eye, Freshlike, Veg-All,
     Private Labels
     
     [DEAN FOODS LOGO] [MEADOW BROOK LOGO]
     MEADOW BROOK DAIRY COMPANY
     Erie, PA - 140 Employees
     Fluid Milk, Juices/Drinks
     Brands: Meadow Brook, Private Labels
     
     [DEAN FOODS LOGO] 
     DEAN DAIRY PRODUCTS COMPANY
     Sharpsville, PA - 212 Employees
     Fluid Milk, Juices/Drinks
     Brands: Dean's, Guilt Free, Private Labels
     
     [DEAN FOODS LOGO] [MEADOW BROOK LOGO] [REITER LOGO]
     FAIRMONT PRODUCTS
     Belleville, PA - 81 Employees
     Cultured Products, Ice Cream Mixes
     Brands: Fairmont, Meadow Brook, Reiter
     Dean's, Private Labels
     
     [DEAN FOODS LOGO] 
     READY FOOD PRODUCTS, INC.
     Philadelphia, PA - 81 Employees
     Extended Shelf Life Fluid Products
     Brands: Dean's, Dairy Pure, Dean Ultra,
     Private Labels
     
     [REITER LOGO]
     REITER DAIRY, INC.
     Akron, OH - 533 Employees
     Fluid Milk, Juices/Drinks, Frozen Desserts
     Brands: Reiter, Private Labels
     
     [DEAN FOODS LOGO] [REITER LOGO]
     REITER DAIRY, INC.
     Springfield, OH - 107 Employees
     Fluid Milk, Juices/Drinks, Water
     Brands: Reiter, Private Labels

     [ATKINS PICKLES LOGO] [AUNT JANE'S LOGO] [PETER PIPER LOGO] [CATES LOGO]
     DEAN PICKLE & SPECIALTY
     PRODUCTS COMPANY
     Plymouth, IN - 167 Employees
     Pickles, Peppers, Relish
     Brands: Private Labels, Company Brands

     [DEAN FOODS LOGO] 
     DEAN MILK COMPANY, INC.
     Louisville, KY - 133 Employees
     Fluid Milk, Cultured Products,
     Juices/Drinks
     Brands: Dean's, Bowman, Guilt Free,
     Private Labels
     
     [MAYFIELD LOGO]
     MAYFIELD DAIRY, INC.
     Athens, TN - 1,233 Employees
     Fluid Milk, Cultured Products, Frozen
     Desserts, Frozen Novelties
     Brands: Mayfield, Guilt Free
     
     [ATKINS PICKLES LOGO] [AUNT JANE'S LOGO] [PETER PIPER LOGO] [CATES LOGO]
     DEAN PICKLE & SPECIALTY
     PRODUCTS COMPANY
     Faison, NC - 260 Employees
     Pickles, Peppers, Relish
     Brands: Private Labels, Company Brands
     
     [DEAN FOODS LOGO]
     RYAN MILK COMPANY, INC.
     Murray, KY - 175 Employees
     Extended Shelf Life Fluid and Cultured
     Products, Aerosol
     Brands: Dean's, Dean Ultra, Dairy Pure,
     Private Labels
     
     [LONG LIFE LOGO]
     LONG LIFE DAIRY PRODUCTS
     Jacksonville, FL - 99 Employees
     Extended Shelf Life Products
     Brands: Long Life, Private Labels
     
     [MCARTHUR DAIRY LOGO]
     MCARTHUR DAIRY, INC.
     Miami, FL - 462 Employees
     Fluid Milk, Juices/Drinks
     Brands: McArthur, Private Labels
     
     [ATKINS PICKLES LOGO] [AUNT JANE'S LOGO] [PETER PIPER LOGO] [CATES LOGO]
     DEAN PICKLE & SPECIALTY
     PRODUCTS COMPANY
     Sanford, FL - 13 Employees
     Pickles (Refrigerated Only)
     Brands: Private Labels
     
     [T.G. LEE LOGO]
     T.G. LEE FOODS, INC.
     Orange City, FL - 58 Employees
     Fluid Milk, Juices/Drinks
     Brands: T.G. Lee, Private Labels
     
     [ATKINS PICKLES LOGO] [AUNT JANE'S LOGO] [PETER PIPER LOGO] [CATES LOGO]
     DEAN PICKLE & SPECIALTY
     PRODUCTS COMPANY
     Atkins, AR - 176 Employees
     Pickles, Peppers, Okra, Relish
     Brands: Private Labels, Company Brands
     
     [T.G. LEE LOGO]
     T.G. LEE FOODS, INC.
     Orlando, FL - 306 Employees
     Fluid Milk, Juices/Drinks
     Brands: T.G. Lee, Guilt Free, Private Labels

     [RODDENBERY'S LOGO]
     DEAN PICKLE & SPECIALTY
     PRODUCTS COMPANY
     Cairo, GA - 224 Employees
     Pickles, Syrup, Boiled Peanuts
     Brands: Cane Patch, Northwoods,
     Peanut Patch, Roddenbery's, Private Labels
     
                                    seven
<PAGE>   9


LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS



     Fiscal 1996 was a transitional year for Dean Foods Company. We updated     
our strategy and thoroughly evaluated all our strategic business units. We
announced a special charge of $150 million and a refocusing of the Company on
its core business strengths, the strengths that in the past made Dean Foods one 
of the fastest growing companies in the food industry.
     The fiscal 1996 environment was a very difficult one and one that
adversely affected operating results. Reported earnings, before the special
charge, were $1.20 per share in fiscal 1996, down from $2.01 per share in the
prior year. After the pre-tax special charge of $150 million related to the
strategic business review and the decision to close or dispose of 13 plants,
the Company reported a net loss of $1.24 per share. Net sales were $2.8
billion, an increase of 7% from fiscal 1995. During the year, several of the
industries in which we participate were confronted with significant challenges,
including low crop yields, fierce price competition, cost and availability of
raw materials, excess capacity, high inventory levels, and a more demanding
marketplace. Simply put, our results were disappointing.
     We must lead the change in our industries and are responding to the
challenge aggressively with a renewed strategic direction. We believe the
actions taken in that direction, although difficult, are necessary to create a
focused organization, well-positioned to create and deliver superior
shareholder value.

STRATEGIC DIRECTION
In fiscal 1996, we conducted a strategic business review of all of our
operations, focusing on their markets, competitors and capabilities, and
identified a strategic plan designed to enhance long-term shareholder
value. We organized our businesses into four groups - Dairy, Vegetables,
Pickles and Specialty Foods - and assembled a strong management team to lead
the Company into the future. As actions associated with these strategies are
completed over the next twenty-four months, we expect improvement in our
pre-tax operating results of $40 to $50 million annually. The results of this
strategic review have confirmed that our core businesses offer opportunities to
create and deliver sustainable long-term shareholder value. In short, we will
focus on doing what we have done well in the past, even better in the future.

CREATING AND DELIVERING VALUE
Five principal strategies to create and deliver long-term sustainable value are
in various stages of execution throughout Dean Foods Company. These strategies
are:

FOCUS ON CORE BUSINESSES
We intend to aggressively grow our fluid milk and other core businesses in
which we enjoy leadership positions. Our core businesses create product and
service opportunities of important value to our customers and consumers. We     
continue to develop and introduce healthy products in convenient packages. More
specifically, in fiscal 1996 we successfully introduced unique fluid milk
packaging in the Southeast, resulting in increased sales and the ability to
serve a new segment of the market. We plan additional market introductions in
the near term.

PRUDENTLY MANAGE INVESTED CAPITAL
As we continue to develop and grow our businesses, we will invest capital
resources and working capital in a way that creates long-term value for our
shareholders. We will begin to integrate value-based management tools into our
future capital

                                    eight
<PAGE>   10


spending decisions. Relatedly, we will be closely monitoring our working
capital. As an example, we will reduce our vegetable inventory investment by
over $30 million by the middle of fiscal 1997 through concentrating both on the
levels and the turnover of inventory in our crop-related businesses.

REDUCE OPERATING COSTS
We operate in industries with thin margins, making ongoing cost reduction a
necessity to sustain and improve profitability. As the year closed, we
commenced an aggressive cost compression process in our Dairy business. This
process encourages employees throughout our organization to develop and
implement improvement ideas. We are pleased with the progress of this
initiative and plan to share the results with our other operations and build a
"best practices" model for the Company.
     Near year-end, we also initiated a review of the effectiveness of our
trade promotions, with the goals of providing increased incentives to the
retailer and influencing the consumer more directly.

ACQUISITIONS
Over the last twenty-five years, we have been successful in building and
creating value from acquired businesses. We believe that the management
experience, culture, capital and other resources we offer create an environment
in which acquired companies and their management can best succeed. We are
optimistic about the acquisition opportunities present in our core businesses.

FINANCIAL STRATEGY
We recognize the need to strike a balance between investing in the future
growth of Dean Foods and providing financial returns to our shareholders. A key
element of our financial flexibility is to maintain an investment grade credit
rating. This enables us to lower our cost of debt and leverage our financial
resources for greater growth. At year-end our debt to capitalization was 39.1%.
Dividends are also a key component to total shareholder return. On July 26,
1996, we increased the dividend to an annual rate of $.76 per share. This
represents the 53rd year we have paid a dividend and the 24th consecutive
increase in the dividend rate since 1974. Free cash flow beyond capital
expenditures and dividends will be used to finance acquisitions and future
stock repurchases.


MANAGEMENT AND BOARD CHANGES
We have begun the implementation of a succession plan which will allow for 
the orderly transition of our top management over the next several years.  
We announced the search for a President and  Chief Operating Officer. 
Thomas L. Rose will become Vice Chairman when that search is complete. The 
addition of William R. McManaman as Chief Financial  Officer last October 
brought strong financial leadership to the Company.
     We are also pleased to report that Edward A. Brennan, retired Chairman and
CEO of Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Richard P. Mayer, former Chairman and CEO of
Kraft General Foods North America joined the Board of Directors in March of
1996. These two directors bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the
future direction of Dean Foods. We extend sincere thanks for the outstanding
contributions of William D. Fischer, who retired from the Board of Directors
after 17 years of service. The food industry will continue to be challenging.
Yet, we believe that our people will meet these challenges and, by doing so,
once again deliver to our shareholders the value that Dean Foods has    
successfully delivered in the past. We take this opportunity to thank our
employees, customers, suppliers and shareholders for their continued support.


HOWARD M. DEAN
HOWARD M. DEAN

Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer



THOMAS L. ROSE
THOMAS L. ROSE

President and
Chief Operating Officer


August 9, 1996


                                     nine
<PAGE>   11
KEY STRATEGIES
As part of the strategic review completed in fiscal 1996, a number of key
strategies designed to focus the Company on its core business strengths were
identified.  Dean Foods is committed to the successful pursuit of these
strategies in fiscal 1997 and beyond.

Grow core business through acquisitions, as well as geographic and product line
expansion. 
Growth opportunities for Dean Foods core businesses, especially in the fluid
milk and several of the specialty food businesses, remain significant.

Understand the needs of customers and consumers in a rapidly changing
marketplace.
Information, customer relationships and a constant eye to the future are some
of the keys to understanding customer and consumer needs.  Dean Foods is
committing the resources to assure that understanding.

STRATEGIES                      Pursue opportunities to improve and expand upon
                                fluid milk leadership position.
                                Regional fluid milk companies looking for new
                                ownership find in Dean Foods a corporate
                                culture and commitment to the industry that
                                offer unique opportunities to their businesses
                                and people.

Capitalize on the talents of employees through empowerment and development. 
Dean's decentralized management style, years of experience and eagerness to
learn and improve create an environment in which employee involvement and
development occur naturally.

Consolidate and streamline operations to be low cost producer.
Improving productivity and reducing costs are a continual way of life for a
company that strives to remain a low cost producer.



                                     ten
<PAGE>   12
Continue traditions of quality, hard work, and focus on the fundamentals.  
Dean Foods' reputation for quality was built over generations by the hard work
and disciplined approach of thousands of employees.  That reputation
continues to be earned everyday.

Utilize value-based management tools in all planning and decision-making
processes.  Capital expenditures, acquisitions and virtually all other
significant investment decisions are analyzed today through the use of a
variety of methods that tie these decisions directly to their effects on
shareholder value.

Maintain Dean's leadership position in the pickle industry while extending its
growth in complementary specialty items.  
Dean Foods' strong position in the pickle industry has allowed it to extend its
product offerings to include niche specialty items such as sauces, olives,
boiled peanuts and other items.  Acquisition and internal growth opportunities
will continue to be pursued.

Maximize the customer's profitability through continuous replenishment
programs, efficient promotions and overall category management.  
Customers are looking to Dean to partner with them in managing the supply
chain from manufacturer to consumer to maximize profitability for both
partners.

Leverage position of premier full-line frozen and canned vegetable supplier. 
The breadth and depth of products and services offered by Dean Foods Vegetable
Company are unparalleled in the industry.  Capturing the value of this
position is a priority for the future.

Support and grow successful regional dairy brands.  
Strong regional brands, together with complete private label programs, allow
Dean to fulfill all of the customers' dairy needs.


[LOGO]


                                    eleven
<PAGE>   13


DAIRY PRODUCTS

Dean Foods Company is a national leader in dairy products, including fluid
milk, juices, yogurt, cottage cheese, sour cream, ice cream, frozen desserts
and a variety of extended shelf life items. Beginning as a small Midwest dairy,
Dean pursued an aggressive strategy of expansion and acquisition, building a
nationwide network of 28 regional dairy operations in 13 states. We are a
full-line dairy supplier offering our own popular brands, custom private label
programs and foodservice items.

DAIRY

TOTAL SALES
DAIRY PRODUCTS
(in millions of dollars)

96                                        $1,611

95                                        $1,513

94                                        $1,469

93                                        $1,437

92                                        $1,430     

                                                                          

FLUID MILK AND CULTURED PRODUCTS

Fluid milk was Dean Foods' first product when the company was founded more than
70 years ago. Today, fluid milk items, including homogenized whole milk,
low-fat milk, skim milk, buttermilk and chocolate milk, make up our largest
product group, as Dean has grown to become the largest fluid milk processor in
the nation.

     Our line of juice products complements our fluid milk items. Juice
products continue to command an increasing share of the market for healthy
beverages.  We also bottle water, another growing product category. Fresh
cultured items, including cottage cheese, yogurt, and sour cream products,
are produced at many of our plants around the nation. During fiscal 1996, sales
for the category were $1.2 billion.

     All of these products are sold under brand names which are market leaders
in their regions. Our family of milk and cultured dairy brands includes Bell,
Cream o'Weber, Creamland, Dean's, Fieldcrest, Gandy's,



                                    twelve
<PAGE>   14


T.G. Lee, Mayfield, McArthur, Meadow Brook, Price's, Reiter, and Verifine.
Additionally, as a full-line supplier, Dean is able to provide custom-tailored
private label programs to retailers nationwide.

     We purchased the rights to serve selected customers of a Youngstown, OH
dairy operation in late calendar 1995. This acquisition expanded our customer
base and improved the efficiency of our production and distribution operations
in Ohio and western Pennsylvania.

SALES FLUID MILK AND CULTURED PRODUCTS (in millions of dollars)

<TABLE>
<S>                        <C>
96                         $1,235

95                         $1,190

94                         $1,156

93                         $1,163

92                         $1,149
</TABLE>



     While we have built our leadership position through our decentralized
network of regional dairies and brand names, our national roll-out of Guilt Free
brand nonfat dairy products has expanded our consumer reach and brought
additional distribution opportunities. Besides fortified skim milk and egg nog,
the Guilt Free line also includes frozen desserts and cultured products.

     We are continuing our efforts to create a dynamic new market position for
milk products. We believe that milk should not be thought of only as a
nutritional part of a balanced diet. We are working to position milk products
as delicious, refreshing beverages that people can enjoy with a meal or snack,
or just as a healthy beverage.

     To support this message, we are developing a new generation of fluid milk
products. New forms of packaging and updated package graphics are integral
parts of this shift in positioning. We have recently completed testing of
plastic, resealable bottles in one-pint and ten-ounce sizes at our Mayfield
plant in Athens, TN and successfully increased sales and distribution of these
single-serve items, especially in the rapidly growing convenience store segment.
We expect to take this exciting new packaging innovation to other dairy
operations during fiscal 1997.

     We also completely redesigned all of the packaging for our Dean label
products sold throughout the Midwest. Our new design has given the brand an
exciting new look, conveying a contemporary and stylish image to our consumers.

     Fluid milk is one of the two largest sales and profit categories in most
supermarket grocery departments. Retailers are therefore turning to the most
qualified dairy suppliers to partner with them in utilizing the latest methods
of managing this category to meet the needs of consumers. Information on
demographics and industry trends, consumer research, category definition and
product mix decisions, space and merchandising schematics and inventory
replenishment systems are some of the tools now being utilized by Dean Foods and
its forward-thinking customers. We intend to lead the dairy industry in
utilizing these tools.

     Among the many capital expenditure projects completed during fiscal 1996 at
our fluid milk and cultured dairy processing facilities were expansions of the  
milk cooler at our Erie, PA plant and the processing capacity at our Rochester,
IN and Huntley, IL fluid milk plants to accommodate growth in these markets.
We also made investments in material handling equipment at our El Paso, TX,
Evart, MI and Sheboygan, WI facilities to improve customer service and lower
cost. In addition, the consolidation of two fluid milk plants in the Southwest
into existing facilities improved our cost efficiencies and maintained our
excellent quality and service records.



                                   thirteen
<PAGE>   15


The strategic review of our businesses, which we completed in fiscal 1996,
provided further confirmation of our belief that fluid milk and cultured
products will play a pivotal role in our strategic direction for the future. We
plan to continue growing internally through market expansion and externally
through additional acquisitions, and to optimize the performance of our dairy
operations nationwide.

ICE CREAM AND FROZEN DESSERTS
Sales in 1996 of $235 million reflected continued growth for Dean Foods in this
category, despite a highly competitive marketplace. Dean manufactures and
markets a complete line of frozen desserts and frozen novelties, and we remain
one of America's premier suppliers of ice cream to the retail marketplace.

     Like fluid milk and cultured dairy products, our ice cream and other frozen
desserts are known by many names throughout the nation, including Bell, Cream
o'Weber, Creamland, Dean's, Dean's Country Charm, Fieldcrest, Fitzgerald's,
Gandy's, Mayfield, McArthur/T.G. Lee, Price's and Reiter. Each brand is marketed
regionally, targeting local taste preferences and brand loyalties.

     This year we marked the 50th anniversary of Dean's ice cream with a total
relaunch of Dean's Country Charm ice cream. Bold new package graphics were
followed by aggressive advertising, including our "Really Cool Flavors" campaign
featuring the brand's three most exciting flavors: Double Fudge Plunge, Spumoni
and Moose Tracks.

     Sales of our Mayfield brand continued to grow, thanks to expanding volume
and new product introductions. A new low-fat ice cream introduced by Mayfield
throughout its Southeast market in April is off to a successful start.

SALES ICE CREAM AND FROZEN DESSERTS
(in millions of dollars)
<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>
96                               $235

95                               $219

94                               $208

93                               $199

92                               $202
</TABLE>

     We've furthered our successful participation in the growing healthy
desserts category with our Guilt Free product line. The Guilt Free Nonfat Fudge
Bar, introduced in 1995, is now the number one product of its kind in the
nation. We followed that winning introduction with Guilt Free Lowfat Ice Cream
Sandwiches, launched this past spring.

     This fall we will complete a three-year expansion of our Belvidere, IL
facility, giving us one of America's largest and most efficient ice cream
plants. The Belvidere plant will be able to manufacture over 30 million
gallons of Dean's frozen desserts annually.

     The planned closure of our facility in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, announced as
part of the results of our strategic review, will allow us to move this volume
into the more efficient Belvidere plant. Production capacity to support our
sales in the Southeast, as well as continued sales growth in the Midwest and the
South, is also available from our Reiter and Mayfield facilities in Ohio and
Tennessee.

EXTENDED SHELF LIFE PRODUCTS
Our Extended Shelf Life Division provides a broad line of extended shelf life
fluid, aerosol and other dairy products to customers throughout the U.S. and in
selected foreign markets. Sales in the category were $141 million for 1996.


                                   fourteen
<PAGE>   16


We operate three plants in Murray, KY, Jacksonville, FL and Philadelphia, PA. In
order to be able to accommodate our nationwide marketing programs, we also
established an exclusive supply arrangement with an extended shelf life
processor of like products on the West Coast. Our acquisition of Rod's Food
Products, City of Industry, CA also provided needed capacity for extended shelf
life fluid and aerosol products, in addition to expanding our western U.S.
customer base.

     Dairy distributors, retail grocery warehouse groups, national chain
restaurants and foodservice distributor warehouses buy our extended shelf life
milk products under Dean brands such as Dairy Pure, Dean Ultra, and Easy 2%, as
well as well-known licensed national brands and private labels.

     Our national brands business strengthened during the year. We won an
exclusive license to produce, distribute and sell ultrapasteurized Nestle
flavored milks in the same 25 markets where we already provide Nestle's
Carnation Coffee-Mate Liquid non-dairy coffee creamer. We added a nonfat version
to our Vitamite non-dairy beverage line. And for the holiday season, Guilt Free
egg nog was introduced with great success and will see additional distribution
in fiscal 1997.

     Growing popularity of lactose-free products prompted us to position our
Easy 2% milk for growth by converting it from reduced-lactose to lactose-free.
The Dairy Ease brand we supply was also converted. We continue to see
significant opportunities for increasing both branded and private-label sales in
this specialized market niche.

     We completed several capital expenditure projects in our Murray, KY plant
during the year in order to satisfy increasing demand and improve distribution
and quality control. The cooler was expanded and new racking and cooler
inventory management systems were installed.

SALES EXTENDED SHELF LIFE PRODUCTS
(in millions of dollars)
<TABLE>
<S>                          <C>
96                           $141

95                           $104

94                           $105

93                           $75

92                           $79
</TABLE>

     Over the past three years, management has sought to widen the customer,
trade channel and product mix of our extended shelf life business. We have added
aerosol products and several new specialty dairy beverages and non-dairy items.
As a result, the division is poised for profitable growth in the coming years.




                                   fifteen
<PAGE>   17

SPECIALTY FOOD PRODUCTS

DEAN'S SPECIALTY FOOD PRODUCTS CONTINUE TO EXPAND IN NUMBER AND GROW IN
POPULARITY. WE HAVE BECOME A MAJOR SUPPLIER OF FROZEN AND CANNED VEGETABLES,
PICKLES, PEPPERS, RELISHES AND OTHER SPECIALTY ITEMS, ASSORTED POWDERED
PRODUCTS, SNACK DIPS, DRESSINGS, SAUCES AND PUDDINGS. BOTH BRANDED AND PRIVATE
LABEL PRODUCTS ARE SOLD TO RETAIL, FOODSERVICE AND FOOD MANUFACTURING CUSTOMERS
THROUGHOUT THE U.S. AND IN SELECTED FOREIGN MARKETS. DEAN FOODS IS COMMITTED
TO CONTINUED GROWTH OF OUR SPECIALTY FOOD BUSINESSES BY EXPANDING GEOGRAPHIC
MARKETS, INTRODUCING NEW PRODUCTS AND ACQUIRING FOOD COMPANIES THAT WILL
ADD TO OUR STRENGTH.                                            

SPECIALTY

FROZEN AND CANNED VEGETABLES

Our vegetable division, the Dean Foods Vegetable Company (DFVC), is the largest
processor of frozen vegetables in the nation and the third largest processor of
vegetables overall. The company is a major player in retail and foodservice
markets with its branded and private label products. From 19 plants and four
distribution centers strategically located around the nation, DFVC markets a
full line of vegetable products, including many regional varieties and
value-added items, throughout North America, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Europe and
Japan. Sales for the year totaled $574 million.

     Our own brand names remain market leaders as their sales volumes continue
to increase. Birds Eye is the second leading frozen vegetable brand in the U.S.
Freshlike is the number one brand of vegetables in its Midwest marketing area.
And Veg-All is the number one canned 




                                   sixteen
<PAGE>   18

mixed vegetable brand nationally. In addition, we are the
country's largest supplier of frozen private label vegetables.

SALES FROZEN & CANNED VEGETABLES
(in millions of dollars)

96                                 $574

95                                 $543

94                                 $420

93                                 $357

92                                 $389


     More and more consumers are looking for variety and convenience in the
vegetable products they buy. Our best-selling selections include distinctive
and easy-to-prepare items such as Birds Eye Easy Recipe and Pasta Secrets, and
Freshlike Pasta Combos, and this year we increased distribution for all of
these products. We also developed a new baby blend line, new Easy Recipe
mixtures and Freshlike Family Recipe meal starters (just add meat for a
complete meal) for introduction early in fiscal 1997. We anticipate that such
value-added products will continue to offer important opportunities for growth,
and additional new product offerings are already being planned for fiscal 1997.

     This year we acquired Norcal Crossetti Foods, Inc., a frozen  vegetable
and fruit processor located in Watsonville, CA, with annual sales of $45
million. The acquisition enhanced our ability to provide full-line service to
our frozen vegetable customers. By consolidating Norcal's production into our
existing Watsonville operations, we have achieved greater operating efficiency
in the region.

     We continue to build strategic alliances with our customers. Our
consolidated operations mean that we can provide them single-source ordering,
shipping and invoicing for branded and private label vegetables. This year we
established category management programs with two major customers, including
full implementation of continuous replenishment programs for several of their
divisions.

     Operating efficiency and quality are top priorities for DFVC. During the
year, we invested in new electronic sorting equipment, upgraded freezing
capacity, improved warehousing and installed a new management information
system. We completed a new Technical Center in Green Bay, WI to enhance
research and development, quality assurance and engineering activities. We also
initiated a company-wide strategy to consolidate our operations. These steps
should reduce costs, balance plant capacities, lower inventories and thereby
strengthen Dean Foods Vegetable Company's position as a low cost, high quality
leader.

PICKLES, RELISHES AND SPECIALTY ITEMS

The Dean Pickle and Specialty Products Company supplies retail and foodservice
customers nation-wide with regional branded and private label pickles, peppers,
relishes and assorted specialty items. With sales for the segment of $373
million, we posted our sixth straight year of record sales.

SALES PICKLES, RELISHES & SPECIALTY ITEMS
(in millions of dollars)

96                                 $373

95                                 $367

94                                 $353

93                                 $305

92                                 $282


     Dean is the nation's largest supplier of private label and foodservice
pickles. We also market a number of regional brands, including Arnold's, Atkins,
Aunt Jane's, Cates, Dailey, Heifetz, Paramount, Pesta, Peter Piper, Rainbo,
Roddenbery, Tree, and Warsaw Falcon. These brands remain hometown favorites in
their regional markets.


                                  seventeen
<PAGE>   19


Growth was achieved by increased sales of many of these brands, as well as by   
the acquisition in December of the branded and foodservice product lines of
Paramount Foods in Louisville, KY. In addition to adding the strong Paramount
name to our family of brands, the acquisition strengthened our procurement,
warehousing and distribution capabilities.

     Sales of olives, sauces, syrups and boiled peanuts also made significant 
gains during the year. All of our olive sales are under private labels, while
Bennett's and Hoffman House sauces, Northwoods and Roddenbery table syrups, and
Peanut Patch boiled peanuts all have strong branded positions in their
respective regional markets.

     During the year we continued to make capital improvements in order to
upgrade and modernize our manufacturing facilities, control inventories and
reduce transportation costs. Additional funds have been earmarked for retooling
of our Faison, NC plant which supplies many of our regional brands in the
Southeast. This plant will take on much of the pickle production volume slated
to be transferred from our Cairo, GA facility in fiscal 1997.


OTHER SPECIALTY FOOD PRODUCTS

In this diverse category, Dean markets powdered products such as non-dairy
coffee creamers and dry ingredient blends, plus an assortment of snack dips,
dressings, sauces and puddings. This segment also includes the sales of the
Company's transportation and logistics unit, DFC Transportation. Total sales
of this product group last year were $256 million.

     For the sixth consecutive year, sales of powdered products outpaced our 
previous year's results. Dean is the largest producer of powdered non-dairy 
coffee creamer in North America. In fact, we are the leading seller in each of 
the trade channels through which the product is sold, including retail,
foodservice, office coffee service, vending, industrial and export. We provide
a wide assortment of powdered coffee creamers ranging from fat-free to premium
non-dairy creamers that are so rich they can be whipped like whipping cream! 

     As the popularity of coffee and coffee-based products such as cappuccinos 
continues to accelerate, the use of non-dairy creamer products is keeping pace.
This year, we added a non-dairy, lactose-free beverage fortified with vitamins 
A and D to our product line-up. This innovative, shelf-stable powdered product 
was formulated to be reconstituted with water. It makes a delicious drink or 
can be poured over cereal or fruit. 

     Our industrial business also continues to grow. We provide ingredients
developed specifically for customers' product formulas ranging from cake mixes,
soup sauces and gravies to soft serve ice cream mixes.

SALES POWDERED PRODUCTS
(in millions of dollars)

96             $129      
                         
95             $110      
                         
94             $100      
                         
93             $88       
                         
92             $82       
                         
Exporting activity remains strong as we continue to open new markets
internationally. We expanded into the Israel market during fiscal 1996.


                                   eighteen
<PAGE>   20


We now maintain a substantial presence in Canada, Central and South America,
Eastern Europe, the Pacific Rim and Honduras.

     Our E.B.I. Foods affiliate in the U.K. again experienced substantial
growth. Annual sales of E.B.I.'s dry ingredient blends continue to rise as 
their customers expand their base in foreign markets. E.B.I. exports to 
virtually every country in Europe plus markets in the Middle East, the Far
East and Africa. During 1996, the company won the prestigious Queen's Award for
Export for the second time, an extraordinary accomplishment. E.B.I. is
scheduled to move into its newly-constructed production facility in August.

     Refrigerated snack dips and salad dressings now constitute a much larger 
portion of our specialty foods sales. Our Dean's brand dips are number one in 
the refrigerated dip category and our Birds Eye Veggie Dips are the second 
leading produce dip after their first year in distribution.

SALES SAUCES, PUDDINGS & DIPS
(in millions of dollars)


96                 $100   
                          
95                 $74    
                          
94                 $69    
                          
93                 $66    
                          
92                 $61    
                          
     This year's acquisition of the Rod's Food Products operation in City of 
Industry, CA brought a significant West Coast presence to several of Dean's 
product lines. In addition to aerosol toppings and extended shelf life
products, Rod's supplies a large and growing Western U.S. customer base with
retail snack dips and other oil-based products, as well as flavored salad 
dressings for the foodservice trade. Retail products are sold under the Rod's, 
Imo, Slender Choice, Chivo and Zesty brand names and a number of private labels.

     Our Amboy Specialty Division is one of the largest aseptic manufacturers
of shelf-stable cheese sauce and pudding products in the United States,
marketing to foodservice and food manufacturing customers nationwide. This year
Amboy added to its cheese sauce and pudding line by introducing tomato sauce,
marinara sauce, pouch-pack Alfredo sauce and cheddar & salsa cheese sauce.
These products represent significant increased volume potential for us. Amboy's
ingredient business also continued its growth with a line of innovative, custom
specialty sauces supplied to frozen food manufacturers.

DFC TRANSPORTATION

DFC Transportation serves the transportation needs of Dean divisions as well 
as other well-known food and consumer product companies. It provides expertise
in the consolidation and distribution of dry, refrigerated and frozen products 
throughout the U.S. and internationally.

SALES DFC TRANSPORTATION
(in millions of dollars)

96                 $27 
                       
95                 $23 
                       
94                 $20 
                       
93                 $21 
                       
92                 $45 
                       

     Exceeding its sales goals for the fourth straight year, despite a highly
competitive and recessionary business environment, DFC Transportation has
demonstrated its capability to provide the effective distribution logistics its
customers demand.


                                   nineteen
<PAGE>   21

FINANCIAL REVIEW DEAN FOODS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES


The financial review should be read in conjunction with the letter to
shareholders, the operations review of the Company's business segments
and the consolidated financial statements and the notes related thereto
contained in this annual report.


DIVIDENDS PER SHARE (in dollars)

96            $0.72

95            $0.68

94            $0.64

93            $0.60

92            $0.56

91            $0.49

90            $0.44

89            $0.40

88            $0.36

87            $0.32

86            $0.27

WORKING CAPITAL (in millions of dollars)

96            $186

95            $215

94            $ 93

93            $198

92            $184

91            $198

90            $183

89            $156

88            $130

87            $115

86            $108

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (in millions of dollars)

96            $508

95            $585

94            $525

93            $476

92            $430

91            $417

90            $363

89            $293

88            $266

87            $236

86            $207

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES (in millions of dollars)

96            $90

95            $83

94            $81

93            $75

92            $78

91            $73

90            $68

89            $56

88            $39

87            $42

86            $37

TOTAL DEBT TO TOTAL CAPITAL (in percent)

96            39.1%

95            31.2%

94            33.6%

93            24.4%

92            27.0%

91            27.1%

90            29.5%

89            23.8%

88            17.3%

87            19.1%

86            21.5%



                                    twenty
<PAGE>   22


FINANCIAL REVIEW DEAN FOODS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES



STRATEGIC DIRECTION

The Company's primary objective is the maximization of shareholder value
through dividend growth and long-term stock appreciation. As the Company
entered fiscal year 1996, faced with the same significant factors impacting the
overall packaged food industry - slow economic growth, low product growth rates
and increasing competitive pressures - it was evident achieving our
primary objective long-term could be difficult. Consequently, the Company
undertook a comprehensive strategic review of all of its businesses, markets
and products with the underlying purpose to improve profitability and enhance
shareholder value.

     In May the Company announced a strategic direction plan resulting in a
$150.0 million ($97.7 million after-tax or $2.44 per share) special charge to
earnings in the fiscal 1996 fourth quarter. The expected post execution,
pre-tax savings of the plan are approximately $21 million annually with about
$15 million in cash. Additional strategies reducing operating costs and
improving marketing/trade promotion effectiveness are expected to produce
additional pre-tax savings of $20 to $30 million annually. The realization of
the savings from the execution of these strategies are expected to occur over
the next twelve to twenty-four months. Additional information relative to the
key elements of the strategic direction plan and the related special charge is
contained in the Letter to Shareholders and in Note 2 to the consolidated
financial statements.

FINANCIAL OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES

Among the financial objectives and strategies employed by the Company are:

SOUND WORKING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

The Company employs various procedures to monitor and control the quality and
levels of current assets using short-term borrowings primarily to meet seasonal
crop-related cash requirements. During the last three fiscal years
the Company also utilized short-term borrowings under bank lines of credit
to acquire businesses. At fiscal 1995 year-end, amounts borrowed under such
lines for business acquisitions were refinanced, as further discussed in Note 4
to the consolidated financial statements.

CAPITAL INVESTMENTS

The Company's goal is to maintain and improve the productivity of its assets,
making those capital investments which offer returns to the Company greater
than its cost of capital.

PRUDENT USE OF DEBT

The Company maintains debt levels considered prudent based upon its cash flows
and financial ratios. The long-term debt market has been used primarily to fund
acquisitions and major capital expenditures. Based upon the Company's total
debt to total capitalization ratio at fiscal 1996 year-end of 39.1%, the
Company believes it has sufficient debt capacity to fund future growth.

FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

The Company's primary financial risk is interest rate exposure, which is
managed through the mix of fixed and floating rate debt. Foreign currency risk
is not significant. The Company's policies and controls preclude leveraged or
structured derivatives and financial derivatives for trading purposes.

DIVIDEND POLICY

On July 26, 1996, the Company increased its quarterly dividend 6% to $.19 per
share, the twenty-fourth increase since 1974. The total increase in the
dividend rate since 1974 is 2,400%.

STOCK REPURCHASE

No shares were purchased during the last three fiscal years, as funds generated
from operations were used in connection with the acquisitions of businesses. On
May 26, 1996, the Company had authorization to purchase 1.7 million shares of
the Company's stock.



                                  twenty one
<PAGE>   23
FINANCIAL REVIEW DEAN FOODS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

FINANCIAL CONDITION
CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
The Company's operating cash and capital expenditure requirements have
historically been met through funds generated internally from assets employed
(working capital and long-term assets).
     
        Working capital at May 26, 1996 was $185.9 million, a decrease of $29.1
million from a year ago. The Company's current ratio was 1.47 compared to 1.71
at the end of fiscal 1995. The decreased working capital was primarily the
result of funds used to acquire businesses during fiscal 1996. Cash and
temporary cash investments at May 26, 1996 was $10.4 million, an increase of
$5.6 million from last year end. Inventories increased $5.6 million principally
the result of inventories of businesses acquired during fiscal 1996. Dairy
inventory turnover is at a high rate, whereas inventories of the Vegetables,
Pickles and Specialty segments generally have lower turnover rates.
Crop-related Vegetable and Pickle inventory levels may vary from year to year.
A large part of the Vegetables, Pickles and Specialty inventories are valued on
the LIFO inventory valuation method which enhances the Company's cash flow.

        Crop-related requirements are funded under the Company's short-term
bank lines of credit or its bank revolving credit agreement. During fiscal 1996
the lines of credit and revolving credit agreement were also the source of
funds for business acquisitions. The short-term borrowings outstanding at the
end of fiscal 1996 were $92.0 million, whereas the borrowings outstanding at
the end of fiscal 1995 were $29.0 million.

        Net property, plant and equipment decreased $44.5 million this year
reflecting the write-off of non-performing assets and classification of assets
held for resale as a result of the strategic review offset by capital
expenditures and assets of businesses acquired. Major capital expenditures
during fiscal 1996 were primarily for plant expansions required to process
increased production volumes and new products.
     
        The Company's long-term objective is to provide a mix of debt and
equity that will provide sufficient flexibility for growth. During fiscal 1996,
the Company consolidated its two syndicated bank revolving credit agreements
into a single $300 million credit facility extending the maturity to the year
2001. Short-term borrowings outstanding under this facility at year-end were
$70.0 million. In June 1995, the Company issued $100 million ten-year senior
notes. Long-term obligations at May 26, 1996 were $221.7 million, a decrease of
$3.0 million from last year-end. The Company's total debt to total capital at
May 26, 1996 was 39.1% compared to 31.2% a year ago. The Company is in
compliance with the covenants and restrictions under its debt agreements, the
most restrictive of which are discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial
statements. 

        Shareholders' equity at May 26, 1996 was $507.7 million, a decrease of
$76.8 million from last year-end primarily as a result of the special charge to
earnings of $97.7 million after-tax. The treasury stock held at May 26, 1996 is
available for use in future acquisitions, for stock options or for other
general business purposes.

CASH FLOWS

Net cash flow for fiscal 1996 increased $5.6 million whereas cash declined by
$6.1 million in fiscal 1995. Particulars of the Company's cash flow activities
are as follows:

     Operating Activities - Cash provided from operations for fiscal 1996 was
$129.2 million compared to $128.1 million and $122.0 million for fiscal years
1995 and 1994, respectively. The cash provided in fiscal 1996 was comparable to
that provided in fiscal 1995; despite the net loss of $49.7 million in 1996, as
the $150.0 million special charge was a non-cash item.



                                  twenty two
<PAGE>   24
FINANCIAL REVIEW DEAN FOODS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES


     Investing Activities - Net cash used in the Company's investing activities
in fiscal 1996 was $153.8 million compared to $115.4 million and $242.7 million
in fiscal years 1995 and 1994, respectively. Capital expenditures and
business acquisitions are the Company's principal investing activities. Capital
expenditures for 1996 were $89.8 million compared with $83.3 million and $81.0
million in fiscal years 1995 and 1994, respectively. Capital expenditures for
fiscal 1997 are expected to approximate fiscal 1996 capital expenditures.
During fiscal 1996, the Company used $66.1 million to acquire businesses,
an important aspect of the Company's growth. During the three years ended May
26, 1996, a total of $272.8 million was spent to acquire businesses which are
discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.

     Financing Activities - Net cash provided from financing activities during
fiscal 1996 was $30.2 million compared to net cash used in 1995 of $18.8
million and net cash provided in 1994 of $90.1 million. The principal financing
activity during fiscal 1996 was the use of short-term borrowings for funding
cash outlays for acquisitions. Short-term borrowings outstanding at fiscal
year-end 1996 and 1995 were $92.0 million and $29.0 million, respectively. Cash
dividends paid were $28.5 million during fiscal 1996, compared to
$26.7 million and $25.0 million during fiscal years 1995 and 1994,
respectively.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Fiscal 1996 results show a loss of $49.7 million or $1.24 per share compared to
earnings last year of $80.1 million or $2.01 per share. The 1996 loss included
a pre-tax charge of $150.0 million ($97.7 after-tax or $2.44 per share) related
to the adoption of a strategic plan to reduce costs, rationalize production
capacity and provide for severance and environmental costs.

     The pre-tax impact of the special charge on the Company's business
segments fiscal 1996 operating earnings (loss) is summarized below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Operating                     Operating Earnings
     (In thousands)  Earnings (Loss)  Special Charge  before Special Charge
     <S>                 <C>             <C>                    <C>           
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------
     Dairy               $   (2,644)      $   76,694             $  74,050
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------
     Vegetables             (41,837)          47,561                 5,724
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------
     Pickles                 10,299           13,704                24,003
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------
     Specialty               25,737              999                26,736
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------
     Corporate              (33,985)          11,042               (22,943)
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------
     Consolidated        $  (42,430)      $  150,000             $ 107,570
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

     Further discussion of the charge appears in Note 2 to the consolidated
financial statements. Fiscal 1995 earnings benefited from improved earnings of
the Company's Vegetables and Pickles operations. The fiscal 1994 earnings were
impacted by the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 and the adoption of new
accounting principles which are discussed in Notes 8 and 9 to the consolidated
financial statements. Fiscal 1994 results included a charge of $1.5 million or
$.04 per share as a result of the increase in the corporate tax rate to 35%
retroactive to January 1, 1993.

     Net sales for fiscal 1996 were $2.8 billion compared to $2.6 billion last
year, a 7.0% increase. All the Company's business segments recorded sales
increases as unit sales volume exceeded fiscal 1995 levels. Net sales for
fiscal years 1995 and 1994 were $2.6 million and $2.4 million, respectively.

BUSINESS SEGMENTS

The Company is a diversified food processor and distributor engaged in four
business segments. The Company is the country's largest processor of fluid milk
products serving various regional markets, with some products distributed
nationwide and to Mexico. Dairy is the Company's largest segment, accounting
for 57% of the total fiscal 1996 sales. The Vegetables segment, which includes
frozen and canned vegetables, is the Company's second largest segment
accounting for 20% of the total fiscal 1996 sales. The other two business
segments are Pickles and Specialty products, accounting for 14% and 9% of total
fiscal sales, respectively. Vegetables, Pickles and Specialty products are sold
in regional markets and nationally, with certain products sold internationally.
The Company is a large user of certain agricultural related commodities, the
prices for which can vary greatly. The competitive conditions and relatively
low profit margins in the food industry necessitate timely adjustment of the
Company's pricing to reflect changes in commodity pricing as well as changes 


                                 twenty three
<PAGE>   25

FINANCIAL REVIEW DEAN FOODS COMPANY AND SUBIDIARIES


in other production and distribution related costs. Segment operating earnings
represent total sales less operating expenses with the following items not
deducted: general corporate expenses, interest expense and federal and state
income taxes. The following discussions of segment earnings exclude the impact
of the fiscal 1996 special charge.
     
     Dairy - Dairy sales for fiscal 1996 increased 6%, the result of increased
unit sales volumes and higher raw milk costs than those prevailing during
fiscal 1995. Sales for fiscal year 1995 were 3% greater than fiscal 1994 as
increased unit sales volume and inclusion of the sales of a business acquired
in 1995 offset lower selling prices reflecting lower milk costs during the
year.

     Raw milk costs rose throughout fiscal 1996. In fiscal 1995, raw milk costs
fell substantially in the first quarter and then remained stable throughout
the balance of the year. Early indications are that raw milk costs will 
increase significantly in early fiscal 1997, however, milk supplies are 
adequate for the Company's operations. Prices for resin used in dairy containers
were lower in fiscal 1996 compared to fiscal 1995. Indications are that prices
for resin in fiscal 1997 will approximate fiscal 1996 prices.

     Dairy fiscal 1996 operating earnings declined 4% principally the result
of competitive conditions in certain markets and increased advertising costs
associated with the introduction of new products and new packaging. Fiscal 1995
operating earnings declined 1% from fiscal 1994 principally as a result
of competitive conditions in certain markets and costs associated with the
introduction of new products and expansion into new markets.
     
     Vegetables - Sales for fiscal 1996 increased 6% principally as a result of
sales of acquired companies as selling prices were depressed throughout the
year. Fiscal 1995 sales increased 29% over fiscal 1994 largely the result of
the full year's inclusion of the fiscal 1994 Birds Eye business acquisition.
     
     Fiscal 1996 Vegetables operating earnings declined $39.0 million from
fiscal 1995 earnings principally the result of weather-related higher costs
associated with the 1995 poor Midwest harvest, industrywide excess inventory
levels and highly competitive market conditions that prevailed throughout the
year, both on frozen and canned vegetables. Operating results for fiscal 1995
increased $17.7 million as a result of the full year's contribution of the
fiscal 1994 Birds Eye acquisition, strong unit sales volume increases and
favorable crop and processing costs. The competitive pressures on canned
vegetables were more than offset by the sales and margins of frozen vegetables.
Early indications are that the 1996 crop industrywide will be a normal or below
normal harvest with fiscal 1997 crop costs approximating fiscal 1996 costs.
     
     Pickles - Fiscal 1996 sales increased 2% principally as a result of sales
of a business acquired mid-year in fiscal 1996 which offset competitive
pressures on selling prices. Sales for fiscal 1995 were 4% greater than fiscal
1994 sales as the result of increased unit sales volumes and improved pricing.
     
     Operating earnings declined $6.4 million from fiscal 1995 earnings
principally as a result of a poor Southeast cucumber harvest with resulting
higher processing costs and the necessity to source cucumber requirements from
higher cost growing areas. Fiscal 1995 operating earnings increased $11.0
million over 1994 earnings as a result of a strong unit sales increase and
favorable crop and processing costs. The spring 1996 cucumber harvest was good
and, although Midwest crop plantings were late due to adverse planting
conditions, fiscal 1997 cucumber costs should approximate fiscal 1996 costs.
     
     Specialty - Sales of a business acquired during fiscal 1996 and increased
unit sales volumes resulted in fiscal 1996 sales exceeding fiscal 1995 sales
by 24%. Fiscal 1995 sales were 9% greater than fiscal 1994 sales largely the
result of increased unit sales volumes.
     
     Fiscal 1996 operating earnings decreased 2% as lower margins offset strong
unit sales increases and the contribution of a fiscal 1995 business
acquisition.  Operating earnings for fiscal 1995 increased 6% over fiscal 1994
earnings as a result of increased unit sales volumes and improved margins. This
segment is a large user of corn syrup, vegetable oils and casein. Prices for
these commodities, after initially increasing in fiscal 1996, declined and
pricing is expected to remain stable or decline in fiscal 1997.

CORPORATE

Excluding the impact of the special charge, fiscal 1996 Corporate expense
approximated fiscal 1995 Corporate expense. Fiscal 1995 Corporate expense
increased $5.3 million over fiscal 1994 expense principally the result of
non-recurring items in both fiscal years.


                                 twenty four
<PAGE>   26
FINANCIAL REVIEW DEAN FOODS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

INTEREST EXPENSE

Fiscal 1996 interest expense increased 27%, principally as a result of
increased borrowings related to businesses acquired late in fiscal 1995 and
during fiscal 1996. Interest expense for fiscal 1995 increased 45% over fiscal
1994, the result of increased borrowings associated with fiscal 1994 and fiscal
1995 business acquisitions and increased interest rates.

INCOME TAXES

The Company recognized an effective tax benefit rate of 28.4% for fiscal 1996
reflecting the net loss for the year and the impact of the special charge to
earnings. The effective tax rates for fiscal years 1995 and 1994 were 41.3%
and 40.2%, respectively. Explanations of the differences from statutory rates
are explained in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

On July 10, 1996, a subsidiary of the Company was fined approximately
$4.0 million in a lawsuit filed by the United States of America in the
United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania alleging
violations of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act relating to the discharge
of conventional, non-hazardous substances. The Company has filed various
post-trial motions seeking to reduce or eliminate the fine. If the Company's
efforts in this regard are unsuccessful, the fine would be covered by reserves
existing at May 26, 1996. The Company continues to give attention to the impact
of its operations on the environment and compliance with current federal, state
and local regulations relating to the discharge of materials into the
environment or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment. The
Company's fiscal 1996 special charge to earnings included a provision covering
the estimated potential environmental cleanup costs associated with the closure
of certain manufacturing facilities.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In March 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 121, "Accounting for the
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of."
This new standard requires that long-lived assets be reviewed for impairment
whenever the carrying amount of those assets may not be recoverable. The
recoverability is based on the estimated future cash flows resulting from the
use of the asset. Adoption of SFAS No. 121 is required in fiscal 1997. The
Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 121 to have a material impact
on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

     In October 1995, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-based
Compensation." This new standard encourages, but does not require, a fair-value 
based method of accounting for stock-based compensation plans. Adoption of the
disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123 is required in fiscal 1997. The Company
expects to adopt only the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 123 and, therefore,
there will be no impact on the Company's financial condition or results of
operations.


                                 twenty five
<PAGE>   27
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS DEAN FOODS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
May 26, 1996 and May 28, 1995 (In thousands)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets                                                                    1996             1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Assets:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                   <C>            <C>
   Cash and temporary cash investments                                $   10,399     $      4,826
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Accounts and notes receivable, less allowance for doubtful 
     accounts of $3,201 and $4,257, respectively                         188,222          184,210
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Inventories                                                           278,731          273,114
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Deferred tax assets                                                    58,497           22,456
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Income tax refund receivable                                            7,244               --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Other                                                                  41,306           34,266
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total Current Assets                                                584,399          518,872
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property, Plant and Equipment, at cost:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Land                                                                   30,745           30,280
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Buildings and improvements                                            262,402          262,552
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Machinery and equipment                                               602,138          608,108
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Transportation equipment                                               54,735           54,411
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Construction in progress                                               43,806           41,312
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         993,826          996,663
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Less - Accumulated depreciation                                       468,159          426,518
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total Properties, net                                               525,667          570,145
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Assets:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Goodwill, net of amortization of 
     $6,798 and $7,012, respectively                                      69,253           69,640
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Other intangible assets, net of amortization 
     of $3,153 and $3,157, respectively                                   26,635           28,380
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Other                                                                  16,286           15,389
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total Other Assets                                                  112,174          113,409
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total Assets                                                     $1,222,240       $1,202,426
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.







                                  twenty six

<PAGE>   28

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

(In thousands)                                                                                 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity                                           1996             1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Liabilities:                                                                           
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                         <C>              <C>
   Notes payable to banks                                                   $  92,000        $  29,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Current installments of long-term obligations                               11,855           11,995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Accounts payable and accrued expenses                                      287,305          248,721
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Dividends payable                                                            7,297            6,877
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Federal and state income taxes                                                  --            7,267
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total Current Liabilities                                                398,457          303,860
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-Term Obligations                                                         221,653          224,679
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred Liabilities:                                                         
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Deferred income taxes                                                       61,042           70,051
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Other                                                                       33,396           19,310
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total Deferred Liabilities                                                94,438           89,361
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders' Equity:                                                         
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Preferred stock, $1 par value, 10,000,000 shares 
     authorized, none issued                                                      --               --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Common stock, $1 par value, 80,000,000 shares authorized,                
     41,395,009 and 41,339,495 shares issued, respectively                    41,395           41,339
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Capital in excess of par value                                             14,158           12,705
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Retained earnings                                                         482,299          560,881
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Cumulative translation adjustment                                              11             (228)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Less - Treasury stock, at cost, 1,261,990 and 1,261,990 
     shares, respectively                                                     30,171           30,171
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total Shareholders' Equity                                              507,692          584,526
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities                                            --               --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity                             $1,222,240       $1,202,426
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                                                              
                                 twenty seven
<PAGE>   29
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME DEAN FOODS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Three Fiscal Years Ended May 26, 1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)                                                                                1996          1995            1994
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                       <C>            <C>            <C>
Net sales                                                                                 $2,814,268     $2,630,182     $2,431,203
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Costs of products sold                                                                     2,211,645      2,005,099      1,885,012
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delivery, selling and administrative expenses                                                495,053        467,980        413,135
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special charge                                                                               150,000             --            --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating earnings (loss)                                                                    (42,430)       157,103        133,056
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest expense                                                                             (28,349)       (22,397)       (15,471)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest income                                                                                1,384          1,682            728
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before taxes and cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles         (69,395)       136,388        118,313
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Provision (benefit) for income taxes                                                         (19,707)        56,329         47,551
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles                   (49,688)        80,059         70,762
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles                                             --             --          1,179
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) for the year                                                            $  (49,688)    $   80,059     $   71,941
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) per share:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Earnings (loss) per share before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles  $    (1.24)    $     2.01     $     1.78
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles                                           --             --            .03
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) per share                                                               $    (1.24)    $     2.01     $     1.81
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                 twenty eight

<PAGE>   30


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY DEAN FOODS COMPANY AND
SUBSIDIARIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

For the Three Fiscal Years Ended May 26, 1996
(In thousands)                                  Common     Common    Capital in               Cumulative
                                                 Stock      Stock     Excess of    Retained  Translation     Treasury
                                                Shares      Value     Par Value    Earnings   Adjustment        Stock
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>       <C>        <C>           <C>         <C>         <C>
Balance May 30, 1993                           39,689   $  40,946  $      3,955  $ 461,479   $    --      $  (30,061)
   Net income                                      --          --            --     71,941        --              --
   Exercise of stock options                      104         104         1,956         --        --              --
   Return of treasury stock                        (4)         --            --         --        --            (107)
   Cash dividends declared, $.64 per share         --          --            --    (25,439)       --              --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance May 29, 1994                           39,789      41,050         5,911    507,981        --         (30,168)
   Net income                                      --          --            --     80,059        --              --
   Issuance of common stock                       145         145         3,902         --        --              --
   Exercise of stock options                      144         144         2,892         --        --              --
   Purchase of treasury stock                      --          --            --         --        --              (3)
   Cash dividends declared, $.68 per share         --          --            --    (27,159)       --              --
   Cumulative translation adjustment               --          --            --         --      (228)             --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance May 28, 1995                           40,078      41,339        12,705    560,881      (228)        (30,171)
   Net loss                                        --          --            --    (49,688)       --              --
   Issuance of common stock                        47          47         1,275         --        --              --
   Exercise of stock options                        9           9           178         --        --              --
   Purchase of treasury stock                      --          --            --         --        --              --
   Cash dividends declared, $.72 per share         --          --            --    (28,894)       --              --
   Cumulative translation adjustment               --          --            --         --       239              --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance May 26, 1996                           40,134   $  41,395     $  14,158  $ 482,299   $    11      $  (30,171)
=====================================================================================================================
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                                                              

                                 twenty nine
<PAGE>   31

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS DEAN FOODS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

For the Three Fiscal Years Ended May 26, 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)                                                                             1996           1995          1994
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                    <C>              <C>          <C>
Cash flows from operations:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Net income (loss)                                                                   $ (49,688)       $ 80,059     $ 71,941
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided from operations:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Depreciation and amortization                                                       77,048          70,027       61,875
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Deferred income taxes                                                              (44,005)          6,641        3,307
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Other long-term deferred liabilities                                                 6,143           1,757          288
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Special charge                                                                     150,000             --            --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Changes in accounting principles, net                                                   --             --        (1,179)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      (Increase) decrease in working capital items, net of acquisitions:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Accounts and notes receivable                                                   (4,172)        (11,591)      (5,687)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Inventories and other current assets                                            10,669         (35,217)     (16,933)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Accounts payable and accrued expenses                                           (6,877)         20,635       12,863
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Federal and state income taxes                                                  (7,478)          2,770       (1,361)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Other                                                                               (2,405)         (7,012)      (3,126)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided from operations                                                        129,235         128,069      121,988
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Capital expenditures                                                                  (89,799)        (83,280)     (80,977)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Proceeds from dispositions of property, plant and equipment                               621           3,153        3,640
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired                                      (66,053)        (35,273)    (171,479)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Proceeds from businesses divested                                                       1,399             --         6,163
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used in investing activities                                                   (153,832)       (115,400)    (242,653)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Issuance of long-term obligations                                                       9,799         100,861        2,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Repayment of long-term obligations                                                    (12,056)        (7,218)      (12,368)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Issuance (repayment) of notes payable to banks, net                                    63,000        (93,000)      122,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unexpended industrial revenue bond proceeds                                            (3,608)           211         1,382
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Cash dividends paid                                                                   (28,474)       (26,744)      (25,014)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Issuance of common stock                                                                1,509          7,083         2,060
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Purchase of treasury stock                                                                 --             (3)           --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                                       30,170        (18,810)       90,060
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) in cash and temporary cash investments                                 5,573         (6,141)      (30,605)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and temporary cash investments - beginning of year                                    4,826         10,967         41,572
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and temporary cash investments - end of year                                       $ 10,399        $ 4,826       $ 10,967
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                    thirty

<PAGE>   32

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DEAN FOODS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Dollar amounts in thousands unless otherwise noted


1. NATURE OF THE BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Nature of Business - Dean Foods Company and its subsidiaries ("the Company") are
engaged in the processing, distribution and sales of dairy, vegetable, pickle
and other specialty food products. The Company operates in four business
segments. The Company's principal products in the Dairy segment are fluid milk
and cultured products, ice cream and extended shelf life products. In the
Vegetables segment, the Company processes and sells frozen and canned
vegetables. The Pickles segment's principal products are pickles, relishes and
related items. Specialty segment products include powdered products, sauces,
puddings and dips as well as the operations of the Company's transportation
subsidiary.

     Use of Estimates in the Financial Statements - The preparation of financial
statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of
assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities
at the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of
revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ
from those estimates.

     Reclassifications - Certain previously reported amounts have been
reclassified to conform with year-end 1996 presentations. 

     Definition of Fiscal Year - The Company's fiscal year ends on the last
Sunday in May. There were 52 weeks in each of the three fiscal years ended May
1996.

     Principles of Consolidation - The consolidated financial statements include
the accounts of the Company and all of its wholly-owned and majority-owned
subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances are
excluded from the statements.

     Cash and Temporary Cash Investments - The Company considers temporary cash
investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash
equivalents.

     Inventories - Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The
majority of Vegetables and Pickles inventories are valued on the last-in,
first-out (LIFO) method. The majority of Dairy and certain Specialty inventories
are valued on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.

     Property, Plant and Equipment - Major renewals and betterments are
capitalized while repairs and maintenance which do not improve or extend useful
life are expensed currently. Upon sale, retirement, abandonment or other
disposition of property, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are
eliminated from the accounts and any gain or loss is reflected in income. For
financial statement purposes, depreciation is calculated by the straight-line
method. For income tax purposes, depreciation is calculated using accelerated
methods for certain assets.

     Intangible Assets - Excess of cost over fair market value of net
identifiable assets of acquired companies and other intangible assets are
amortized on a straight-line basis over various periods between three years and
forty years. The carrying value of intangible assets is periodically reviewed by
the Company based on the expected future undiscounted operating cash flows of
the related business unit. Based upon its most recent analysis, the Company
believes that no material impairment of intangible assets exists at May 26,
1996.

     Pensions - Substantially all of the Company's employees are covered by
Company or union-management-administered pension plans or profit sharing plans.
The policy with respect to Company-administered pension plans is to fund
accrued pension costs based on determinations made by independent actuaries
which include provision for service cost, interest cost, return on pension
assets and amortization of prior service cost and unrecognized initial net
assets.

     Income Taxes - Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the
future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial
statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their
respective tax bases. Effective in the first quarter of fiscal year 1994 with
the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting
for Income Taxes," deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using
enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which
those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.

     Revenue Recognition - Revenues are recognized when products are shipped.

     Net Income per Common Share - Net income per common share is based upon the
weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding
during each year.



                                  thirty one
<PAGE>   33
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DEAN FOODS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Dollar amounts in thousands unless otherwise noted

2. SPECIAL CHARGE

In May, 1996 the Company recorded a pre-tax provision of $150.0 million ($97.7
million after-tax or $2.44 per share) related to the adoption of a plan to
reduce costs, rationalize production capacity and provide for projected
severance and environmental costs.  The implementation of the plan will result
in the elimination of more than 800 manufacturing and administrative positions
and the disposition or closure of 13 manufacturing facilities.

        The provision includes costs associated with facility closures and
consolidations and the write-down to net realizable value of assets that are for
sale of $99.1 million, of which $73.6 million are non-cash asset write-offs and
$25.5 million are cash costs related to asset dispositions.  The write-off of
intangibles is $22.8 million.  The cash cost of severance and other termination
benefits is expected to be approximately $10.2 million.  The remaining $17.9
million of the provision primarily represents anticipated cash expenditures for
environmental remediation and other costs and expenses.  These actions are
currently in process and should be substantially completed by the end of fiscal
1997.

The following table presents the details of the 1996 activity:
                        

<TABLE>
<Caption
(In millions)
                            1996            Cash        Non-Cash    Balance at
                           Accrual         Payments      Charges   May 26, 1996
<S>                        <C>             <C>          <C>        <C>
Asset write-offs/         
 closure costs            $  99.1          $  --        $  73.6          $25.5  
Intangibles                                                               
 write-off                   22.8             --           22.8             --
Termination
 benefits                    10.2             --             --           10.2
Environmental
 and other                   17.9             --            4.6           13.3
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         $  150.0          $  --       $  101.0        $  49.0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


        Of the remaining $49.0 million special charge reserve balance, $8.0
million is classified as Other Deferred Liabilities in the Consolidated 
Balance Sheet.

3. BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS

        During fiscal 1996, the Company acquired one operation in each of the
Vegetables, Pickles and Specialty segments for cash consideration. The pro forma
impact as if these acquisitions had occurred at the beginning of the 1995 fiscal
year is not significant. During fiscal 1995, the Company acquired a Dairy
operation and a Vegetables operation also for cash consideration. The pro forma
impact as if these acquisitions had occurred at the beginning of the 1994 fiscal
year is not significant. Each of these acquisitions were accounted for as
purchases and their results of operations are included in the consolidated
financial statements from their respective dates of acquisition. 

        On December 27, 1993, the Company completed the acquisition of the Birds
Eye Frozen Vegetable business (Birds Eye) from the All-American Gourmet Company,
a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kraft General Foods, Inc., for approximately $140
million. The acquisition has been accounted for as a purchase and, accordingly,
the operating results of Birds Eye have been included in the consolidated
operating results since the date of acquisition. The funds used to acquire Birds
Eye were provided by the Company's short-term lines of credit with its banks.
The acquisition resulted in intangible assets of $47 million. 

        The following summary, prepared on a pro forma basis, combines the
consolidated results of operations as if Birds Eye had been acquired as of the
beginning of the 1993 fiscal year.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unaudited                      

                                 1994           1993
<S>                              <C>            <C>
Net sales                        $2,549,452     $2,474,784
Net income                       $   73,110  $      74,407
Net income per share             $     1.84  $        1.88

</TABLE>               
               

        The pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of the results
which would have occurred if the acquisition had taken place on the basis
assumed. In addition, the pro forma results are not intended to be a projection
of future results and do not reflect any synergies that might be achieved from
combined operations.
  
        During fiscal 1994, the Company also acquired a Dairy operation and a
Pickles operation for cash consideration. The pro forma impact as if these
acquisitions had occurred at the beginning of the 1993 fiscal year is not
significant.


                                  thirty two
<PAGE>   34

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DEAN FOODS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Dollar amounts in thousands unless otherwise noted

4. BORROWING ARRANGEMENTS

Long-term obligations, less installments due within one year, are summarized
below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  1996                   1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                          <C>                    <C>
Senior note, 6.75%, maturing in 2005                                         $  99,091              $ 100,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installment note, 9.64%, maturing in
  equal amounts of $6,500
  through 2005                                                                  58,500                 65,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installment note, 10.1%, maturing
  in equal amounts of $3,500
  through 2004                                                                  28,000                 31,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Industrial revenue bonds, maturing
  in varying amounts through 2013:
  Fixed rate, (7.3% to 8.0%; average 7.58%)                                      4,208                  4,775
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Floating rate, (3.7% to 7.26%;
    average 3.88%)                                                              31,136                 21,810
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capitalized lease obligations, 4.9% to
  9.75%, maturing in various
  installments through 2011                                                      9,472                  9,453
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other obligations, maturing in varying
  amounts through 2025, (6.0% to
  10.0%; average 7.06%)                                                          3,101                  4,136
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               233,508                236,674
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less: Installments due within one year                                          11,855                 11,995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total long-term obligations                                                  $ 221,653              $ 224,679
=============================================================================================================
</TABLE>


     In fiscal 1995, the Company entered into two syndicated bank Credit
Agreements, a $200 million revolving credit facility maturing in year 2000 and
a $100 million revolving credit facility (convertible to a term loan) maturing
in 1997. These Credit Agreements were renegotiated in 1996 to a single $300
million Credit Agreement maturing in 2001. The borrowings under the Credit
Agreement are unsecured and the Company pays a commitment fee of 0.09% on the
unused portions of the revolving credit and term loan facilities. Borrowings
under the Credit Agreement bear interest at either fixed or variable rates
linked to the Company's overall public debt credit rating.  During fiscal 1996,
the maximum borrowings under the Credit Agreement were $140.0 million; average
borrowings were $77.5 million at a weighted average interest rate of 5.8%. At
May 26, 1996, there were $70.0 million of borrowings outstanding under this
facility.

     The Company has $60.0 million committed short-term lines of credit
available for borrowing needs. Lending banks are compensated on a fee basis of
1/8 of 1% of the credit line. During 1996, maximum borrowings under the
Company's committed and uncommitted lines of credit were $112.0 million;
average borrowings for the year were $43.9 million at a weighted average
interest rate of 5.8%. At May 26, 1996, the Company had $22.0 million
outstanding from uncommitted short-term lines of credit.
     
     In fiscal 1995, the Company filed a $300 million Senior note facility and
a $200 million medium-term note facility pursuant to a shelf registration with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.  In June 1995, the Company issued $100
million of 6.75% Notes due 2005. The net proceeds were used to repay $50
million in long-term obligations and $50 million in short-term borrowings,
which were outstanding under the Credit Agreements at May 28, 1995. 
Accordingly, at May 28, 1995, the Company classified $100 million as long-term
indebtedness.

     At May 26, 1996, the most restrictive provisions of the Company's
borrowing arrangements were as follows: tangible net worth of at least $175
million, working capital of at least $60 million, and a current ratio of at
least 1.25 were required to be maintained; approximately $38 million of
retained earnings was unrestricted for the payment of cash dividends and
repurchase of common stock; and the Company could not incur total long-term
debt in excess of 50% of total capitalization. 

     Maturities of long-term obligations during each of the years 1998 through
2001 are $13,629, $11,337, $14,943 and $11,587, respectively.  Certain land,
buildings and machinery and equipment having a net carrying value of
approximately $25 million were mortgaged or otherwise encumbered against
long-term debt of $12 million at May 26, 1996.

     The fair value of the Company's long-term debt was determined using
valuation techniques that considered cash flows discounted at current market
rates and management's best estimate for instruments without quoted market
prices.  At May 26, 1996 and May 28, 1995 the fair value of long-term debt is
estimated to be $235.8 million and $248.9 million, respectively.

5. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

The 1988 shareholders' rights plan, as amended, protects shareholders in the
event the Company becomes the target of coercive and unfair takeover tactics.
The rights were distributed to shareholders on the basis of one preferred stock
purchase right for each share of Dean Foods Company common stock. Each right
entitles shareholders to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of preferred
stock and will become exercisable only if a person or group acquires 15% or
more of the Company's common stock.  The rights may be redeemed by the Company
for $.05 per right at any time prior to a public announcement that a person or
group has acquired 15% or more of the Company's common stock. The rights
expire on August 10, 1998, unless previously redeemed or exercised.

     The Company may repurchase shares of its common stock from time to time in
the open market, in privately-negotiated transactions or otherwise at
a price or prices reasonably related to the then
prevailing market price.

                                 thirty three
<PAGE>   35
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DEAN FOODS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

Dollar amount in thousands unless otherwise noted

6. STOCK PLANS

A summary of stock option activity for the Company's stock option plans follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Number               Average
                                                                      of Shares          Option Price
                                                                   Under Option             Per Share
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                 <C>                     <C>        
Options outstanding at May 30, 1993                                    922,529               $  26.26
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changes during the year:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Granted                                                               250,119                  26.87
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Terminated                                                            (14,032)                 29.17
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Exercised                                                            (118,586)                 21.82
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Options outstanding at May 29, 1994                                  1,040,030                  26.87
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changes during the year:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Granted                                                               251,105                  29.87
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Terminated                                                            (52,392)                 28.74
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Exercised                                                            (165,941)                 22.94
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Options outstanding at May 28, 1995                                  1,072,802                  28.09
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changes during the year:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Granted                                                               313,564                  28.08
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Terminated                                                            (18,222)                 29.04
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Exercised                                                             (17,380)                 24.87
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Options outstanding at May 26, 1996                                  1,350,764               $  28.12
=====================================================================================================
Exercisable at end of year                                             715,167               $  27.96
=====================================================================================================
Available for grants:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Beginning of year                                                   1,765,427 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 End of year                                                         1,381,444 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


     Under the stock option plans, key employees and directors may be granted
stock awards or options to purchase, at fair market value on the date of grant,
a maximum of 3,315,000 shares of the Company's common stock. Of these shares, 
a maximum of 115,000 may be granted to non-employee directors. A total of
67,500 shares have been granted to non-employee directors. A total of 299,036
non-qualified options are outstanding, which obligate the Company to make a
cash payment to the optionee, upon exercise, of an amount up to the aggregate
increase in the market value of the common stock since the date of grant.
Options terminate five to ten years after date of grant.

     The Company may, from time to time, offer key employees the opportunity to
elect to receive, in lieu of all or a portion of the cash bonuses otherwise
payable to them, stock awards of shares of the Company's common stock
having a fair market value on the date of the award equal to 115% of such cash
bonuses or portions thereof (Stock Bonus Awards Program.) Key employees elected
to receive 47,131 and 36,023 shares under the Stock Bonus Awards Program which
related to bonuses in fiscal 1996 and 1995, respectively.

7. INVENTORIES

At May 26, 1996 and May 28, 1995, inventories comprised the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               1996                1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                     <C>                 <C>        
Raw materials and supplies                                               $   56,671          $   56,283
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Materials in process                                                         65,447              60,554
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finished goods                                                              172,316             171,378
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            294,434             288,215
Less: Excess of current cost over stated
  value of last-in, first-out inventories                                    15,703              15,101
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total inventories                                                        $  278,731          $  273,114
=======================================================================================================
</TABLE>


     The percentage of costs of products sold determined on the basis of
last-in, first-out cost approximated 43.6% and 42.4% for 1996 and 1995,
respectively.

8. INCOME TAXES

The Company adopted the provisions of the Statement of Financial Accounting
Standard No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes," as of May 31, 1993. Under this
method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the
difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and
liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the
differences are expected to reverse.

     As permitted under the Statement, prior years' financial statements have
not been restated. The cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle
on prior fiscal periods increased fiscal 1994 net income by $2.2 million, net
of taxes, or $0.06 per share.

     The Statement also requires that deferred taxes be recorded for the tax
effects of differences between the assigned values and the tax basis of assets
acquired and liabilities assumed in business acquisitions. This change in
method increased the values assigned to such net assets by $22.7 million with a
corresponding increase in deferred income taxes.

Provision (benefit) from income taxes was
as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    1996              1995                    1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>               <C>                     <C>
Current tax expense:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Federal                                       $  20,169         $  45,585               $  37,387
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 State and foreign                                 4,129             9,309                   8,385
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  24,298            54,894                  45,772
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax expense
 (benefit):
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Federal                                         (39,540)            1,068                     708
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 State and foreign                                (4,465)              367                     150
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Effect of tax rate change                            --                --                     921
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 (44,005)            1,435                   1,779
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Provision (benefit) for
income taxes                                   $ (19,707)        $  56,329               $  47,551
==================================================================================================
</TABLE>

     The effective tax rates differ from the prevailing statutory federal rate
as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    1996              1995                    1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>               <C>                     <C>            
Statutory federal tax rate                          35.0%             35.0%                   35.0%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State and foreign, net of
 federal benefit                                    (1.4)              4.4                     4.3
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other, net                                          (5.2)              1.9                     0.9
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effective tax rate                                  28.4%             41.3%                   40.2%
==================================================================================================
</TABLE>


                                 thirty four
<PAGE>   36
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DEAN FOODS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Dollar amounts in thousands unless otherwise noted

The components of the deferred income taxes were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      1996                    1995
<S>                                                             <C>                     <C>
Deferred tax assets:
 Accounts receivable                                            $    3,003              $    2,552
 LIFO inventory                                                     (5,178)                 (3,721)
 Self-insurance reserves                                            14,655                  12,652
 Vacation pay                                                        4,276                   4,585
 Marketing accruals                                                  6,518                   3,860
 Future benefit of special charge                                   33,817                      --
 Other                                                               1,406                   2,528
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total deferred tax assets                                       $   58,497              $   22,456
==================================================================================================

Deferred tax liabilities:
 Fixed assets                                                   $  (74,429)             $  (70,007)
 Deferred compensation                                               6,420                   4,585
 DISC deferral                                                      (2,953)                 (2,420)
 Intangibles                                                        (5,265)                 (4,450)
 Future benefit of special charge                                   12,531                      --
 Other                                                               2,654                   2,241
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total deferred tax liabilities                                  $  (61,042)             $  (70,051)
==================================================================================================
</TABLE>


9. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
The Company has various profit sharing and retirement plans covering certain
salaried and hourly employees. Amounts charged to operations under all plans
were $20,836, $16,969 and $15,502 in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

     Defined Benefit Pension Plans - Costs for noncontributory defined benefit
plans were $5,762, $4,650, and $4,265 in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
Plan assets are primarily invested in bonds, stocks and real estate.
Significant weighted average assumptions used in determining net pension
costs were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                              1996                   1995
<S>                                                        <C>                    <C>
Discount rate                                                 8.0%                   8.0%
Expected long-term rate of return on assets                   8.0%                   8.0%
Rate of increase in compensation
 levels (range)                                             0-5.0%                 0-5.0%
</TABLE>

The Company's defined benefit net pension costs included the following 
components:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      1996              1995             1994
<S>                                                <C>               <C>              <C>
Current service costs                              $  3,621          $  3,013         $  2,765
Interest cost on projected
 benefit obligation                                   6,189             5,654            5,679
Actual return on plan assets                        (16,452)           (4,339)          (4,189)
Net amortization and deferral                        12,404               322               10
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net pension costs                                  $  5,762          $  4,650         $  4,265
==============================================================================================
</TABLE>

     The following table sets forth the funded status of the Company's defined 
benefit plans reconciled to accrued pension costs:



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          1996               1995
<S>                                                    <C>                  <C>
Present value of projected benefit
 obligation:
 Vested employees                                      $  62,762           $  56,781
 Non-vested employees                                      4,522               3,806
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated benefit obligation                            67,284              60,587
Additional amounts due to
 future salary increases                                  21,869              16,275
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total projected benefit obligation                        89,153              76,862
Fair value of net assets available
 for benefits                                            (74,690)            (55,093)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Projected benefit obligation greater
 than net assets available                                14,463              21,769
Unrecognized prior service cost                           (2,297)             (2,642)
Unrecognized net obligation                                 (112)               (908)
Unrecognized net transition asset                          3,735               3,850
Unrecognized net loss                                     (9,702)            (16,628)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net accrued pension costs                              $   6,087           $   5,441
====================================================================================
</TABLE>


     The majority of retirement benefits are based upon the highest five year
average qualifying earnings (base compensation) for service prior to
January 1, 1986 and, for service since then, based upon the participant's
qualifying earnings each year.

     The Company participates in various multi-employer union-management-
administered defined contribution pension plans that principally cover
production workers. Pension expense under these plans was $6,398, $5,557 and
$4,810 in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

     Profit Sharing Plans - The Company maintains noncontributory profit
sharing plans for  certain employees. Company contributions under these plans
are made at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Expense for these plans
was $6,012, $4,965 and $5,299 in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

     Postretirement Benefits - The Company provides health care and life
insurance benefits to certain of its retired employees and eligible dependents.
Employees are eligible for such benefits subject to minimum age and service
requirements. Eligible  employees that retire before the normal retirement age,
along with their dependents, are entitled to benefits on a shared contribution
basis. Substantially all benefits terminate at age sixty-five. The Company
retains the right to modify or eliminate these benefits.

     Effective May 31, 1993, the Company implemented Statement of Financial
Accounting Standard No. 106, "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits 
Other than Pensions," which requires recognition of the cost of postretirement
benefits on the accrual basis rather than the cash basis, which was the
Company's previous accounting policy. The cumulative effect of the accounting
change resulted in a non-cash charge of $1,027 (net of $657 of taxes) or $.03
per share which represents the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation
(APBO) existing at May 31, 1993. Additionally, in connection with the Birds Eye
acquisition, the Company assumed a postretirement obligation of $4,252 which was
recorded as part of the acquisition accounting.


                                 thirty five

<PAGE>   37
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DEAN FOODS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Dollar amounts in thousands unless otherwise noted

     Net periodic postretirement benefits expense was $704, $1,140 and $508 in
1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. The components of expense follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

           ----------------------------------------------------------
                                              1996       1995    1994
           ----------------------------------------------------------
           <S>                              <C>        <C>     <C>
           Service cost of benefits earned  $  273     $  589  $  237
           ----------------------------------------------------------
           Interest cost on liability          431        551     271
           ----------------------------------------------------------
           Net periodic postretirement
             benefit cost                   $  704   $  1,140  $  508
           ==========================================================
</TABLE>


     As a result of changes in employee benefit plans during fiscal 1996,
postretirement medical benefits for certain union plans were eliminated
resulting in a curtailment gain of $3,994.

     The following table summarizes the postretirement benefit liability:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       1996                     1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>                      <C>
Retirees                                           $  2,151                 $  1,699
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fully eligible active participants                      280                      161
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other active participants                               764                    3,668
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                                 3,195                    5,528
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrecognized net gain                                 1,095                    2,052
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued postretirement benefits                    $  4,290                 $  7,580
====================================================================================
</TABLE>


     The accumulated postretirement benefit obligation was determined using a
weighted average discount rate of 8.0% in fiscal 1996 and 1995, and an assumed
compensation increase of 5.0%. The health care cost trend rates were assumed to
be 8.0% in 1996, gradually declining to 5.0% over six years and remaining at
that level thereafter. In 1995 the cost trend rates were assumed to be 10.5%,
gradually declining to 5.5% over ten years. The health care cost trend rate
assumption has a significant effect on the amounts reported. For example, a 1%
increase in the health care cost trend rate would increase the accumulated
postretirement benefit obligation by $170 at May 26, 1996, and the net periodic
cost by $21.

10. LEASES
     Net rental expense, including amounts for leases of one year or less, was
$30,733, $25,062 and $21,203 in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Sublease
rental income is not significant. A majority of the Company's leases provide
that the Company pay taxes, maintenance, insurance and certain other operating
expenses.

     At May 26, 1996, annual minimum rental payments under capital and
operating leases that have initial noncancelable terms in excess of one year
were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                               Capital   Operating
                                                Leases     Leases
               --------------------------------------------------
               <S>                            <C>        <C>
               1997                           $  1,299   $ 11,661
               --------------------------------------------------
               1998                              1,268     10,285
               --------------------------------------------------
               1999                              1,027      8,678
               --------------------------------------------------
               2000                              1,008      5,917
               --------------------------------------------------
               2001                              1,084      3,148
               --------------------------------------------------
               Thereafter                       14,098      4,350
               --------------------------------------------------
               Total minimum lease payments     19,784  $  44,039
               -----------------------------------------=========
               Less: Imputed interest           10,144
               ---------------------------------------  
               Present value of minimum
                  lease payments              $  9,640
               =======================================
</TABLE>


Table
11. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES

Consolidated accounts payable and accrued expenses at May 26, 1996 and May 28,
1995 comprised the following items:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               1996                    1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>                      <C>       
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trade payables                              $   98,387               $ 102,074
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued expenses                                62,894                  61,388
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued insurance                               41,848                  37,945
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special charge reserve                          41,012                      --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued payroll                                 32,965                  33,939
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued taxes, other than income                 4,578                   4,656
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued pension and profit sharing               5,621                   8,719
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total accounts payable and
 accrued expenses                           $  287,305               $ 248,721
==============================================================================
</TABLE>

12. CASH FLOW DATA

Interest and taxes paid included in the Company's cash flow from operations were
as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         1996                     1995                    1994
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                  <C>                      <C>                      <C>
Interest paid        $  25,363                $  22,579                $ 15,591
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taxes paid              39,687                   54,752                  46,753
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Liabilities assumed in conjunction with business acquisitions were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             1996                 1995              1994
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>                 <C>               <C>
Fair value of assets    
 acquired                  $  67,574           $  35,908         $  197,090
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consideration paid           (66,053)            (35,273)          (171,479)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities assumed        $   1,521           $     635         $   25,611
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

The Company is a defendant in various legal matters and is currently the subject
of investigations by various state and federal authorities relating to the
pricing of contracts to supply milk and certain environmental matters. On July
10, 1996, a federal judge imposed a fine of approximately $4.0 million on a
subsidiary of the Company, alleging violations of the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act relating to the discharge of conventional, non-hazardous substances.
The Company has filed various post-trial motions seeking to reduce or eliminate
the fine. The Company provided for this exposure in 1996 and in light of
reserves existing at May 26, 1996, the ultimate resolution of these matters,
including the resolution of the imposed fine, is not expected to have a material
effect on the financial position or results of operations of the Company.


                                  thirty six
<PAGE>   38
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  DEAN FOODS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Dollar amounts in thousands unless otherwise noted

14. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

The nature of products classified in the business segments presented herein is
described on pages 12 through 19. Intersegment sales are not material.  
Operating earnings (loss) of segments do not include interest income or expense 
and provisions (benefits) for income taxes.

     Identifiable assets are those used in the Company's operations in each
segment. Corporate assets consist primarily of cash and marketable securities
and deferred tax assets.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               Dairy      Vegetables   Pickles   Specialty   Corporate     Consolidated
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>
1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales                                  $  1,611,266  $  573,751   $  373,213  $  256,038  $       --   $  2,814,268
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating earnings (loss)                        (2,644)    (41,837)      10,299      25,737     (33,985)       (42,430)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Identifiable assets                             456,632     406,541      151,578      98,480     109,009      1,222,240
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depreciation and amortization                    37,633      25,086        7,903       4,476       1,950         77,048
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital expenditures                             49,905      18,713        6,733      13,544         904         89,799
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales                                  $  1,513,560  $  543,103   $  367,182  $  206,337  $       --   $  2,630,182
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating earnings                               77,242      44,736       30,395      27,239     (22,509)       157,103
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Identifiable assets                             491,638     428,781      155,368      56,996      69,643      1,202,426
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depreciation and amortization                    36,418      21,364        7,735       3,184       1,326         70,027
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital expenditures                             49,150      16,683        9,138       7,019       1,290         83,280
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1994
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales                                  $  1,469,198  $  419,930   $  352,560  $  189,515  $       --   $  2,431,203
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating earnings                               77,987      27,021       19,419      25,815     (17,186)       133,056
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Identifiable assets                             459,986     385,537      139,007      55,384      69,240      1,109,154
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depreciation and amortization                    35,424      15,918        6,554       2,515       1,464         61,875
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital expenditures                             51,466      12,931        9,097       6,285       1,198         80,977
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>


Fiscal 1996 segment operating earnings (loss) include the special charge related
to the adoption of a plan to reduce costs, rationalize production capacity      
and provide for severance and environmental costs of $76,694, $47,561, $13,704,
$999 and $11,042 in the Dairy, Vegetables, Pickles, Specialty and Corporate
segments, respectively.


                                 thirty seven

<PAGE>   39

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA DEAN FOODS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

Unaudited (In thousands, except for per share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                              First          Second          Third         Fourth      Fiscal Year
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>          <C>             <C>             <C>           <C>                       
Fiscal 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales                                   $ 651,505     $  705,358     $  717,976      $  739,429    $  2,814,268
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross profit                                $ 148,685        158,266        145,801         149,871         602,623
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss)                           $  13,661         16,012          6,727         (86,088)(a)     (49,688)(a)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per common share data:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net income (loss)                         $     .34            .40            .17           (2.15)(a)       (1.24)(a)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Stock price range -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     High                                   $  29 1/4         28 3/4         29 3/4          26 5/8          29 3/4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Low                                    $  26 5/8         26 1/4         25 5/8          22 1/4          22 1/4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Dividend rate (cents)                          18.0           18.0           18.0            18.0            72.0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales                                   $ 614,283     $  662,848     $  665,895      $  687,156  $    2,630,182
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross profit                                $ 141,410        157,969        154,794         170,910         625,083
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                  $  16,960         20,026         17,176          25,897          80,059
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per common share data:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net income                                $     .43            .50            .43             .65            2.01
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Stock price range -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     High                                   $  31 7/8         32 3/4         30 3/4          31 5/8          32 3/4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Low                                    $  25 1/4         27 1/4         28 1/8          27 1/4          25 1/4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Dividend rate (cents)                          17.0           17.0           17.0            17.0            68.0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(a) 1996 includes an after-tax charge of $97,720 ($2.44 per share) related to
    the adoption of a plan to reduce costs, rationalize production capacity and
    provide for severance and environmental costs.

The Company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the
ticker symbol: DF.


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP [LOGO]

200 East Randolph Drive
Chicago, IL 60601

TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS
DEAN FOODS COMPANY

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related
consolidated statements of income, of shareholders' equity and of cash flows
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Dean Foods
Company and subsidiaries at May 26, 1996 and May 28, 1995, and the results of
their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended May 26, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in
accordance with generally accepted auditing standards which require that we
plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for the opinion expressed above.

Price Waterhouse LLP

June 25, 1996, except as to
the second sentence of Note 13,
which is as of July 10, 1996




                                                                              
                                 thirty eight
<PAGE>   40
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS DEAN FOODS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

(In thousands, except for items marked with an *)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year Ended May,                     1996           1995           1994           1993            1992      
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>             <C>             <C>           <C>           <C>                              
Operating Data:                                                                                                   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales                               $2,814,268       2,630,182      2,431,203      2,274,340     2,289,441    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Costs of products sold                                                                                            
    and all operating expenses          $2,856,698 (a)   2,473,079      2,298,147      2,145,687     2,169,886(c) 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating earnings (loss)               $  (42,430)(a)     157,103        133,056        128,653       119,555(c) 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest expense                        $   28,349          22,397         15,471         14,888        15,551    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before taxes              $  (69,395)(a)     136,388        118,313        114,759       105,527(c) 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Provision (benefit) for income taxes    $  (19,707)         56,329         47,551         46,350        43,511    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss)                       $  (49,688)(a)      80,059         71,941(b)      68,409        62,016(c) 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depreciation on properties              $   70,220          65,056         58,549         51,815        48,348    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital expenditures                    $   89,799          83,280         80,977         74,803        77,867    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of employees*                        11,500          11,800         12,100         10,500        10,100    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                  
Balance Sheet Data:                                                                                               
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Working capital                         $  185,942         215,012         92,915        198,393       183,577    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets                            $1,222,240       1,202,426      1,109,154        892,836       857,152    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net plant and equipment                 $  525,667         570,145        543,211        443,764       415,791    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term obligations                   $  221,653         224,679        136,150        151,127       155,478    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders' equity                    $  507,692         584,526        524,774        476,319       430,443    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                  
Common Stock Data:                                                                                                
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) per share*            $    (1.24)(a)        2.01           1.81(b)        1.73          1.53(c) 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash dividends per share*               $      .72             .68            .64            .60           .56    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Book value per share*                   $    12.65           14.58          13.19          12.00         10.87    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of shareholders*                      9,481           9,989          8,936          8,654         8,929    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<CAPTION>

(In thousands, except for items marked with an *)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year Ended May,                     1991           1990           1989           1988            1987      
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>             <C>             <C>           <C>           <C>                              
Operating Data:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales                               2,157,997        1,987,517      1,683,578      1,551,832     1,434,600
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Costs of products sold                  
    and all operating expenses          2,018,374        1,875,149      1,576,512      1,471,261     1,348,118
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating earnings (loss)                 139,623          112,368        107,066         80,571        86,482
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest expense                           16,780           12,682          7,646          6,149         5,814
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before taxes                124,340          102,066        101,793(d)      76,542(e)     82,794
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Provision (benefit) for income taxes       51,807           40,834         41,360         33,787        41,727
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss)                          72,533           61,232         60,433(d)      42,755(e)     41,067
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depreciation on properties                 44,465           37,338         31,046         29,028        25,559
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital expenditures                       72,844           68,196         55,917         39,258        41,618
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of employees*                        9,600            8,900          7,500          7,100         6,900
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        
Balance Sheet Data:                     
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Working capital                           198,429          182,852        156,469        130,355       114,819
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets                              816,999          744,759        586,702        499,150       450,116
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net plant and equipment                   375,930          337,068        253,972        211,711       194,878
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term obligations                     149,980          146,622         84,162         48,884        47,024
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders' equity                      416,560          362,760        293,249        265,739       236,417
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        
Common Stock Data:                      
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) per share*                 1.79             1.53           1.52(d)        1.07(e)       1.03
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash dividends per share*                     .49              .44            .40            .36           .32
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Book value per share*                       10.23             8.93           7.43           6.60          5.89
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of shareholders*                     8,380            8,005          8,290          8,671         8,357
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>                                


(a) 1996 includes a pre-tax charge of $150,000 ($97,720 after-tax or $2.44 per
    share) related to the adoption of a plan to reduce costs, rationalize
    production capacity and provide for severance and environmental costs.

(b) 1994 includes an after-tax net gain of $1,179 ($.03 per share) related to
    changes in accounting principles.

(c) 1992 includes a charge against operations of $9,100 related to the
    termination of the Company's refrigerated truckload transportation business
    ($5,685 after taxes, or $.14 per share).

(d) 1989 includes a net gain of $10,132 for unusual items ($5,442 after taxes,
    or $.14 per share).

(e) 1988 includes a net charge against operations of $11,606 for unusual items
    ($9,686 after taxes, or $.24 per share).


                                 thirty nine

<PAGE>   41

DIRECTORS DEAN FOODS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES


HOWARD M. DEAN -
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer

THOMAS L. ROSE - @
President and Chief
Operating Officer

EDWARD A. BRENNAN *
Retired Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer,
Sears, Roebuck & Co.,
a merchandising company.

LEWIS M. COLLENS * #
President, Illinois Institute
of Technology, and Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer,
IIT Research Institute

PAULA H. CROWN * +
Vice President of
Henry Crown and Company,
a private investment firm.

JOHN P. FRAZEE, JR. * +
Retired Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, Centel Corporation, a leader in local exchange
telephone and cellular
communications services.

BERT A. GETZ # @ +
Chairman, President and
Director, Globe Corporation,
a diversified investment firm.

JOHN S. LLEWELLYN, JR. # +
President and Chief Executive
Officer, Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., a marketing cooperative of
cranberry and citrus growers.

RICHARD P. MAYER #
Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Kraft General Foods North
America, a diversified food company.

ANDREW J. MCKENNA - # +
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Schwarz Paper Company, a national
distributor and converter of paper products and specialty printer.

THOMAS A. RAVENCROFT @
Senior Vice President and President,
Dairy Division

ALEXANDER J. VOGL - * #
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Wilton Corporation,
a diversified manufacturer of
industrial products.


                          -    Executive Committee
                          *    Audit Committee
                          #    Compensation Committee
                          @    Pension Committee
                          +    Nominating Committee



OFFICERS DEAN FOODS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES


HOWARD M. DEAN
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer

THOMAS L. ROSE
President and Chief
Operating Officer

ERIC A. BLANCHARD
Vice President, Secretary and
General Counsel

JENNY L. CARPENTER
Vice President, Sales and
Marketing - Specialty Food
Products

GARY A. CORBETT
Vice President, Governmental
and Dairy Industry Relations

GARY D. FLICKINGER
Vice President, Production

DANIEL E. GREEN
Group Vice President,
Specialty Dairy Division

JAMES R. GREISINGER
Group Vice President and
President of Dean Pickle and Specialty Products Company

DALE I. HECOX
Treasurer

CHARLES D. KINSER
Vice President, Engineering

RODNEY T. LIDDLE
Vice President, Strategic Planning

WILLIAM R. MCMANAMAN
Vice President, Finance and
Chief Financial Officer

GEORGE A. MUCK
Vice President, Research and Development

DOUGLAS A. PARR
Vice President, Dairy Sales
and Marketing

DENNIS J. PURCELL
Corporate Group Vice President

ROGER A. RAGLAND
Group Vice President - International

THOMAS A. RAVENCROFT
Senior Vice President and President,
Dairy Division

JEFFREY P. SHAW
Group Vice President and President
of Dean Foods Vegetable Company



                                    forty
<PAGE>   42

Design: BAGBY and COMPANY INC. Chicago
Printing: Lake County Press

CORPORATE DATA DEAN FOODS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

FORM 10-K
Single copies of the Company's 1996 Annual Report on Securities and Exchange
Commission Form 10-K without exhibits will be provided without charge to
shareholders upon written request directed to the Secretary, Dean Foods
Company, 3600 N. River Road, Franklin Park, Illinois 60131.

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT SERVICE
A service for Dean shareholders is available through the Harris Trust and
Savings Bank, whereby dividends can be automatically reinvested in Company      
Common Stock. The plan also provides for a voluntary cash payment option for
the purchase of additional stock and safekeeping of shares.

        If interested in this service, please write to the bank and request a
copy of Dean's dividend reinvestment brochure: Harris Trust and Savings Bank,
Dividend Reinvestment Service, P. O. Box A3309, Chicago, Illinois 60690.

DUPLICATE MAILINGS
When shares owned by one shareholder are held in different forms of the same
name Jane R. Doe, J. R. Doe and J. Rose Doe, duplicate mailing of       
shareholder information results. The Company mails to each name on the
shareholder list unless the shareholder requests that duplicate mailings be
eliminated. 

        Shareholders that receive duplicate reports can help eliminate the
added expense by requesting that only one copy be sent. Send the labels or
label information to our transfer agent, Harris Trust and Savings Bank,
indicating the name to keep on the list and the names to be deleted. This
change will not affect dividend or proxy mailings.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION & INVESTOR RELATIONS INQUIRIES
The Company maintains a direct mailing list to ensure that shareholders
with stock held in broker nominee accounts "street name" and other
interested parties receive information on a timely basis. 

        To be added to this list, or to request financial information, please
direct requests to the Director of Corporate Communications, Dean Foods
Company, 3600 N. River Road, Franklin Park, Illinois 60131.

TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
For inquiries regarding change of address, stock transfer, registered
shareholdings, dividends and lost certificates, please contact: Harris Trust
and Savings Bank,111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60690
312/461-3309

STOCK EXCHANGE
New York Stock Exchange
Ticker Symbol: DF

ANNUAL MEETING
10:00 A.M., October 1, 1996
Drury Lane Oak Brook Terrace
100 Drury Lane
Oak Brook Terrace, Illinois 60181
(Location map appears in Proxy Statement.)

CORPORATE OFFICE
3600 N. River Road
Franklin Park, Illinois 60131
(847) 678-1680
(312) 625-6200

Dairy Ease is a registered trademark of Sterling Winthrop, Inc. 
Guilt Free is a registered trademark of Yarnell's Ice Cream Co., Inc. 
Nestle Quik and Carnation Coffeemate are registered trademarks of Nestle Food 
Company.
<PAGE>   43
DEAN FOODS COMPANY, 3600 NORTH RIVER ROAD, FRANKLIN PARK, ILLINOIS 60131

<PAGE>   1




                                                                   Exhibit 21(a)

SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT AS OF MAY 26, 1996


                                            Jurisdiction In
                                            Which Organized
                                            ---------------

Bell Dairy Products, Inc.                   Texas
Birds Eye de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.           Mexico
Bowman Dairy Company, Inc.                  Delaware
Cream o'Weber Dairy, Inc.                   Utah
Creamland Dairies, Inc.                     New Mexico
Dean Dairy Products Company                 Pennsylvania
Dean Foods Vegetable Company                Wisconsin
Dean Milk Company, Inc.                     Kentucky
DFC Transportation Company                  Delaware
E.B.I. Foods, Ltd.                          United Kingdom
Elgin Blenders, Inc.                        Illinois
Gandy's Dairies, Inc.                       Texas
Dean Pickle and Specialty Products Company  Wisconsin
Liberty Dairy Company                       Michigan
LongLife Dairy Products Company, Inc.       Florida
McArthur Dairy, Inc.                        Florida
Mayfield Dairy Farms, Inc.                  Tennessee
Meadow Brook Dairy Company                  Pennsylvania
Ready Foods Products, Inc.                  Pennsylvania
Reiter Dairy, Inc.                          Ohio
Ryan Milk Company, Inc.                     Kentucky
STDI, Inc.                                  U.S. Virgin Islands
T.G. Lee Foods, Inc.                        Florida
Verifine Dairy Products Corporation         Wisconsin
W.B. Roddenbery Co., Inc.                   Georgia


The names of all other subsidiaries have been omitted from the above list
because, when considered in the aggregate as a single subsidiary, they would
not constitute a material subsidiary.

                                       81


<PAGE>   1




                                                                   Exhibit 23(a)

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectuses
constituting part of the Registration Statements on Forms S-8 (Nos. 33-33775
and 33-33776 and Form S-8 filed July 25, 1996) and Form S-3 (No. 33-57353) of
Dean Foods Company of our report dated June 25, 1996, except as to the second
sentence of Note 13, which is as of July 10, 1996, appearing on page 38 of the
Dean Foods Company Annual Report to Shareholders for Fiscal Year Ended May 26,
1996, which is incorporated in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  We also
consent to the incorporation by reference of our report on the Financial
Statement Schedule, which appears on page 16 of this Form 10-K.



Price Waterhouse LLP
August 23, 1996

                                       82

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
REGISTRANT'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE ANNUAL PERIOD ENDED MAY 26, 1996
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-26-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-26-1996
<CASH>                                          10,399
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  191,423
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,201
<INVENTORY>                                    278,731
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               584,399
<PP&E>                                         993,826
<DEPRECIATION>                                 468,159
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,222,240
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          398,457
<BONDS>                                        221,653
<COMMON>                                        41,395
                                0
                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     466,297
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,222,240
<SALES>                                      2,814,268
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,814,268
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<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               643,053
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,000
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<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (69,395)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (19,707)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (49,688)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (49,688)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.24)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.24)
        

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