Sodexo Honored as 'Corporation of the Year' for Commitment to Education and Diversity...

Sodexo Honored as 'Corporation of the Year' for Commitment to Education and
Diversity by Hispanic College Fund

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Sodexo, Inc., a leading foodservice
and facilities management company, has been named Corporation of the Year for
its long-standing commitment to furthering the education of Hispanic youth.
The award from the Hispanic College Fund was accepted by Sodexo President and
CEO George Chavel at the HCF's annual scholarships dinner in Washington, D.C.,
on Oct. 17.

In his acceptance remarks, Chavel said that, to meet the challenges of a
demographically changing American workforce, Sodexo "is investing in a diverse
workforce by supporting higher education among minorities. Half of Sodexo's
new hires represent minorities and this will rise to 70 percent in two years."

"The most important work we can all do is to provide opportunities for
students," added Chavel, "then step aside and marvel as they seize those
opportunities and flourish."

Sodexo has invested in the Hispanic College Fund since 2003, contributing
thousands of dollars to scholarships, funding 100 students to achieve their
college education. Sodexo also has supported Hispanic Young Professionals, a
leadership development initiative held in Washington, D.C., that teaches
promising Hispanic college students leadership skills and professional
etiquette.

"Eighty percent of our scholars are majoring in business, science, technology,
engineering, and math," said Fernando Barrueta, CEO of the Hispanic College
Fund. "Sodexo recognizes how crucial it is to invest in an early pipeline of
youth who will be leaders in fields that will determine our competitiveness in
the global economy."

Students who have received Sodexo scholarships are already finding success in
the workforce.

"I received a Sodexo scholarship in 2004," said Raul Magdaleno, associate
director of diversity and community outreach at the Meadows School of the Arts
for Southern Methodist University and former Hispanic College Fund scholar.
"Sodexo opened the possibilities that led me to believe that where I live does
not determine who I am. While living in a homeless shelter in college, they
encouraged me to never give up and provided me with the financial assistance I
needed to pursue my college education, which is the greatest gift one can
receive."
In receiving the HCF award, Chavel told the story of Annery Pulgar, who
emigrated with her mother from Cuba when she was 5 years old. With the help of
HCF and Sodexo, Pulgar graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree from
the University of Miami and is now enrolled in law school there. "She feels
that as a lawyer she will have the ability to help many people who feel
ignored and without recourse," said Chavel.

Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com) is a leading integrated food and facilities
management services company in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with $7.3 billion
(USD) in annual revenue and 120,000 employees. Sodexo, Inc. serves more than
ten million customers daily in corporations, health care, long term care and
retirement centers, schools, college campuses, government and remote sites.
Sodexo, Inc., headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., is a member of Sodexo Group,
and funds the Sodexo Foundation (www.SodexoFoundation.org), an independent
charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than
$9.2 million in grants to fight hunger in America.

SOURCE Sodexo, Inc.

Jaya K. Bohlmann of Sodexo, Inc., +1-301-987-4550, jaya.bohlmann@sodexo.com