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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.16

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

            EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT"), dated as of January 27,
2005, by and between Dean Specialty Foods Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "COMPANY"), and Thomas E. O'Neill (the "EXECUTIVE").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

      WHEREAS, the Company's parent corporation, Dean Foods Company ("DEAN"),
intends, subject to certain conditions, to distribute the common stock, par
value $.01 per share, of the Company (the "COMMON STOCK") owned by Dean to its
shareholders, whereby the Company would become a stand-alone publicly traded
corporation;

      WHEREAS, Executive is willing to enter into this Agreement in anticipation
of the Company becoming a stand-alone publicly traded corporation through the
distribution of the Common Stock to Dean's shareholders;

      WHEREAS, to effect such a spin-off and to position the Company to maximize
its value for Dean's shareholders, it is necessary that the Company have a
strong and experienced management team with a proven track record in developing
and growing a company in the consumer packaged goods industry;

      WHEREAS, Executive is one of several members of a management team (the
"TEAM") that possesses the skills and experience necessary to undertake the
challenges of developing the Company, including through acquisitions;

      WHEREAS, in light of these skills and experience, the Company desires to
secure the services of Executive and the other members of the Team, and is
willing to enter into this Agreement embodying the terms of the employment of
Executive by the Company, which terms include one or more substantial
equity-based compensation awards; and

      WHEREAS, Executive is willing to accept such employment and enter into
such Agreement, subject to Dean making available to Executive and to the other
members of the Team the opportunity to invest in the common stock of the Company
and making the undertakings regarding the governance and management of the
Company set forth in the in the stockholders agreement (the "STOCKHOLDERS
AGREEMENT") to be entered into by the Company, Dean, Executive, other members of
the Team, and certain other investors who are affiliates of the Team
contemporaneously with this Agreement; and

      WHEREAS, in order to give Executive and the Team the opportunity to
acquire an equity interest in the Company and as an incentive for Executive to
participate in the affairs of the Company, the Company is willing to sell to
Executive, and Executive

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desires to purchase, shares of common stock (the "COMMON STOCK"), subject to the
terms and conditions set forth in the Subscription Agreement (the "SUBSCRIPTION
AGREEMENT") to be entered into contemporaneously with this Agreement and in the
Stockholders Agreement.

      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained,
the Company and Executive hereby agree as follows:

      1. Employment. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this
Agreement and, unless earlier terminated as provided in Section 8, the Company
hereby employs Executive and Executive hereby accepts employment by the Company
for the period (i) commencing on the date hereof (the "COMMENCEMENT DATE") and
(ii) ending on the third anniversary of (A) the Commencement Date or, (B) if the
Common Stock shall become registered under Section 12(g) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "EXCHANGE ACT"), during the term hereof,
the third anniversary of the date such registration shall have become effective
and trading of Common Stock on a registered national securities exchange or
automated quotation system (including, but not limited to, NASDAQ) shall have
commenced (the "REGISTRATION DATE"); provided, however, that the term of this
Agreement shall automatically be extended for one additional year on the third
anniversary of the Registration Date and each subsequent anniversary thereof
unless not less than 90 days prior to such anniversary date either party shall
give the other written notice that he or it does not want the term to extend as
of such anniversary date. The period during which Executive is employed pursuant
to this Agreement (including pursuant to any extension of the term hereof
pursuant to the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence) shall be referred
to herein as the "EMPLOYMENT PERIOD."

      2. Position and Duties. During the Employment Period, Executive shall
serve as the Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Administrative
Officer of the Company and in such other position or positions with the Company
and its majority-owned subsidiaries consistent with the foregoing position as
the Board of Directors of the Company (the "BOARD") may specify or the Company
and Executive may mutually agree upon from time to time. During the Employment
Period, Executive shall have the duties, responsibilities and obligations
customarily assigned to individuals at comparable publicly traded companies
serving in the position or positions in which Executive serves hereunder.
Executive shall devote substantially all his business time to the services
required of him hereunder, except for vacation time and reasonable periods of
absence due to sickness, personal injury or other disability, and shall perform
such services to the best of his abilities. Subject to the provisions of Section
9, nothing herein shall preclude Executive from (i) engaging in charitable
activities and community affairs, (ii) managing his personal investments and
affairs or (iii) serving on the board of directors or other governing body of
any corporate or other business entity, so long as such service is not in
violation of the covenants contained in Section 9 or the governance principles
established for the Company by the Board, as in effect from time to time,
provided that in no event

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may such activities, either individually or in the aggregate, materially
interfere with the proper performance of Executive's duties and responsibilities
hereunder.

      3. Place of Performance. The Company shall establish its headquarters
office in Chicago, Illinois metropolitan area at which Executive shall have his
principal office. Executive shall also have an office, and perform services at,
the Company's offices in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on such basis as Executive deems
necessary or appropriate for the performance of his duties.

      4. Compensation.

            (a) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the Company shall pay
Executive a base salary at the annual rate of $350,000. Beginning in 2006, the
Board shall review Executive's base salary no less frequently than annually and
may increase such base salary in its discretion. The amount of annual base
salary payable under this Section 4(a) shall be reduced, however, to the extent
Executive elects to defer such salary under the terms of any deferred
compensation or savings plan or arrangement maintained or established by the
Company or any of its subsidiaries. Executive's annual base salary payable
hereunder, including any increased annual base salary, without reduction for any
amounts deferred as described above, is referred to herein as "BASE SALARY". The
Company shall pay Executive the portion of his Base Salary not deferred in
accordance with its standard payroll practices, but no less frequently than in
equal monthly installments.

            (b) Incentive Compensation. For each full calendar year during the
Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual incentive
bonus from the Company, with a target bonus opportunity of not less than 60% of
his Base Salary, which will be payable, if at all, upon the achievement by
Executive and/or the Company of performance objectives to be established by the
Board in consultation with the Company's Chief Executive Officer and
communicated to Executive during the first quarter of such year (the "INCENTIVE
COMPENSATION"). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the actual
amount payable to Executive in respect of the Incentive Compensation may be more
or less than the targeted opportunity (including zero) based on the actual
results against the pre-established performance objectives.

      5. Stock Purchase. Substantially contemporaneously with the Commencement
Date, Executive shall purchase the number of shares of Common Stock of the
Company specified in the Subscription Agreement related to the purchase of such
shares, to be entered into by Executive and the Company (the "SUBSCRIPTION
Agreement"). The terms and conditions of such purchase shall be as set forth in
the Subscription Agreement, and such shares shall be subject to the limitations
and restrictions, including, without limitation, the restrictions on transfer
and the put and call rights set forth in the Stockholders Agreement.

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      6. Public Equity Awards.

            (a) Basic Restricted Stock Grant. On the fourth trading day
following the Registration Date, the Company shall grant Executive an award of
that number of whole restricted shares of Common Stock (the "BASIC RESTRICTED
SHARES") as is equal to (or most closely approximates) 0.30% of the Outstanding
Common Stock on the date of grant. The Basic Restricted Shares shall vest and
become freely transferable in the proportions, and based upon achievement of the
total shareholder return objectives, determined pursuant to Schedule A hereto,
so long as Executive is continuously employed by the Company through the
applicable vesting date. Any Basic Restricted Shares that have not become vested
and freely transferable on or before the fifth anniversary of the grant date
shall be forfeited. For purposes of this Agreement, "OUTSTANDING COMMON STOCK"
shall mean the sum of (x) the number of shares Common Stock that are issued and
outstanding on the Registration Date and (y) the number of shares of Common
Stock issuable pursuant to any stock options granted by Dean prior to the
Registration Date in respect of its common stock and converted into the right to
purchase Common Stock in connection with or in contemplation of the Spin-Off.

            (b) Supplemental Restricted Stock Unit Grant. On the fourth trading
day following the Registration Date, Executive shall be granted, automatically
and without any further action on the part of the Company or the Board, an award
of restricted stock units, with each such unit representing a right to receive
one share of Common Stock on the terms and conditions set forth herein (the
"SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRICTED SHARE UNITS"). The number of Supplemental Restricted
Share Units subject to such grant shall be equal to the quotient (rounded up to
the nearest whole number) obtained by dividing (x) by (y), where (x) and (y)
are:

            (x)   the product of (i) the excess, if any, of (A) the Initial Fair
                  Market Value over (B) the Adjusted Per Share Purchase Price
                  and (ii) that number of whole shares of Common Stock as is
                  equal to (or most closely approximates) 0.90% of the
                  Outstanding Common Stock on the date of grant; and

            (y)   the Initial Fair Market Value.

      For purposes of this Agreement, "INITIAL FAIR MARKET VALUE" shall mean the
average of the closing values on the Registration Date and on each of the next
four trading days immediately following the Registration Date, as reported on
the principal exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Stock
is traded or reported. "ADJUSTED PER SHARE PURCHASE PRICE" shall mean the $5,000
purchase price per share of Common Stock, appropriately adjusted to reflect any
stock split or share combination involving the Common Stock, any
recapitalization of the Company, any adjustment pursuant to Section 4.3(b) of
the Stockholders Agreement, or any merger, consolidation, reorganization or
similar corporate event involving the Company occurring

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on or after the Commencement Date and on or before the Registration Date.

      The Supplemental Restricted Share Units shall vest in three equal annual
installments on the first three anniversaries of the Registration Date, so long
as (with respect to each installment) Executive is continuously employed by the
Company through the applicable anniversary date. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
no Supplemental Restricted Share Units shall become vested on any such
anniversary date if, on such date, the average of the closing prices of a share
of Common Stock on the principal trading market on which such shares are traded
or reported for the 20 trading day period ended on such date (or, if such date
is not a business day, the 20 trading day period ended on the last trading day
occurring immediately prior thereto) does not exceed the Initial Fair Market
Value (the "MINIMUM VALUE REQUIREMENT"). In the event that the Minimum Value
Requirement is not satisfied on any applicable anniversary date, the
Supplemental Restricted Share Units that would otherwise have vested on such
anniversary date shall vest on any subsequent anniversary date or on any date
after the third anniversary date (treating each such date as an anniversary date
for purposes of the 20 day trading measurement period) on which both Executive
is still an employee of the Company and the Minimum Value Requirement is
satisfied; provided that any such Supplemental Restricted Share Units that have
not become vested on or before the fifth anniversary of the grant date shall be
forfeited. The shares of Common Stock corresponding to any vested Supplemental
Restricted Share Units, if any, shall be distributed to Executive as soon as
practicable, but not later than five (5) business days following the earlier to
occur of (i) the fifth anniversary of the date of grant or (ii) the sixth month
anniversary of the date Executive's employment with the Company terminates,
unless the Executive elects (in a manner consistent with the applicable
requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (the "CODE")) to defer
the date upon which the shares of Common Stock corresponding to the vested
Supplement Restricted Share Units shall be distributed.

            (c) Stock Option. On the fourth trading day following the
Registration Date, the Company shall automatically and without any further
action on the part of the Company or the Board grant to Executive a
non-qualified stock option to purchase the number of shares of Common Stock
equal to the remainder of (i) the number of whole shares of Common Stock
specified in Section 6(b)(x)(ii) minus (ii) the number of Supplemental
Restricted Share Units awarded pursuant to Section 6(b) (the "OPTION"). The
exercise price per share with respect to the Option shall be equal to the
Initial Fair Market Value. The Option shall become vested and exercisable in
three approximately equal annual installments on each of the first three
anniversaries of the grant date of such Option, so long as Executive is
continuously employed by the Company through the applicable anniversary date.

            (d) Stock Incentive Plan. Each of the Basic Restricted Shares, the
Supplemental Restricted Shares and the Option shall be granted pursuant to a
stock incentive plan (the "INCENTIVE PLAN") to be adopted by the Company prior
to the Registration Date that will authorize for issuance thereunder at least
(i) 13% of the

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Outstanding Common Stock plus (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock issuable
pursuant to any stock options granted by Dean prior to the Registration Date in
respect of its common stock and converted into the right to purchase Common
Stock in connection with or in contemplation of the Spin-Off as provided in the
Stockholders Agreement. Such Incentive Plan shall have terms and conditions
which will permit the issuance of the awards to the Executive specified in this
Section 6 and shall not contain any other term or condition that has an adverse
effect on any award to be made to Executive pursuant to this Section 6.

            (e) Award Agreements. Each of the Basic Restricted Shares,
Supplemental Restricted Shares and the Option shall be subject to an award
agreement having the terms and conditions specified in the preceding
subparagraphs of this Section 6 and otherwise consistent with the terms and
conditions of the Incentive Plan. Each such agreement shall provide for full
vesting of such awards upon a Change of Control and shall provide that Executive
shall have the right to elect that any applicable tax withholding requirements
with respect to the vesting, exercise or distribution of Common Stock be
satisfied by having the Company withhold shares of Common Stock subject to such
award having a value equal to the minimum required applicable tax withholding,
and that Executive may exercise the Option using previously owned shares of
Common Stock, including Basic Restricted Shares that are still subject to
forfeiture, provided that that number of shares deliverable upon exercise of the
Option that corresponds to the number of unvested Basic Restricted Shares
surrendered will be subject to the same forfeiture provisions and restrictions
on transfer as the Basic Restricted Shares surrendered to exercise such Option,
in whole or in part.

            (f) Capital Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in Section 5 or this Section 6, the exercise price of, and the number
of Shares subject to, the Option, the number of Units subject to the
Supplemental Restricted Share Units, and the Minimum Value Requirement shall be
appropriately adjusted, by the Board in its sole discretion, to reflect any
extraordinary dividend, any dividend payable in shares of capital stock, any
stock split or share combination involving the Common Stock, any
recapitalization of the Company, any merger, consolidation, reorganization or
similar corporate event involving the Company occurring after the Registration
Date.

            (g) Impact on Future Grants. Unless following the Registration Date
the Board shall determine that special circumstances warrant the grant of such
additional awards as it or any duly authorized committee thereof shall, in its
sole discretion, determine, it is the intent and expectation of the parties that
Executive will not receive any further grants of equity-based compensation prior
to the third anniversary of the Commencement Date. Following such third
anniversary, Executive shall be eligible to receive equity-based compensation
awards in accordance the Company's generally applicable compensation practices,
as then in effect.

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      7. Benefits, Perquisites and Expenses.

            (a) Benefits. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be
eligible to participate in (i) each welfare benefit plan sponsored or maintained
by the Company for its senior executive officers, including, without limitation,
each group life, hospitalization, medical, dental, health, accident or
disability insurance or similar plan or program of the Company, and (ii) each
pension, profit sharing, retirement, deferred compensation or savings plan
sponsored or maintained by the Company for its senior executive officers, in
each case, whether now existing or established hereafter, in accordance with the
generally applicable provisions thereof, as the same may be amended from time to
time.

            (b) Perquisites. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be
entitled to receive such perquisites as are generally provided to other senior
executive officers of the Company in accordance with the then current policies
and practices of the Company.

            (c) Business Expenses. During the Employment Period, the Company
shall pay or reimburse Executive for all reasonable expenses incurred or paid by
Executive in the performance of Executive's duties hereunder, upon presentation
of expense statements or vouchers and such other information as the Company may
require and in accordance with the generally applicable policies and procedures
of the Company.

            (d) Indemnification. The Company agrees that if Executive is made a
party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any action, suit or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a "PROCEEDING"), by
reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer or employee of the
Company or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, or is or was serving at the
request of the Company as a director, officer, member, employee or agent of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
including, in each case, service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether
or not the basis of such Proceeding is Executive's alleged action in an official
capacity while serving as a director, officer, member, employee or agent,
Executive shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company to the fullest
extent legally permitted or authorized by the Company's certificate of
incorporation or by-laws or resolutions of the Board or, if greater, by the laws
of the State of Delaware, against all cost, expense, liability and loss
(including, without limitation, attorney's fees, judgments, fines or penalties
and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by
Executive in connection therewith, and such indemnification shall continue as to
Executive even if he has ceased to be a director, officer, member, employee or
agent of the Company or other entity and shall inure to the benefit of
Executive's heirs, executors and administrators. If Executive serves as a
director, officer, member, partner, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other enterprise
(including, in each case, service with respect to employee benefit plans) which
is a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, it shall be presumed for purposes
of this Section 7(d) that Executive serves or served in such capacity at the
request of the

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Company. The Company shall advance to Executive all reasonable costs and
expenses incurred by him in connection with a Proceeding within 30 days after
receipt by the Company of a written request for such advance. Such request shall
include an undertaking by Executive to repay the amount of such advance, if it
shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified against
such costs and expenses. The Company agrees to continue and maintain a
directors' and officers' liability insurance policy covering Executive to the
extent the Company provides such coverage for its other executive officers or
directors.

      8. Termination of Employment.

            (a) Early Termination of the Employment Period. Notwithstanding
Section 1, the Employment Period shall end upon the earliest to occur of (i) a
termination of Executive's employment on account of Executive's death, (ii) a
Termination due to Disability, (iii) a Termination for Cause, (iv) a Termination
Without Cause, (v) a Termination for Good Reason, (vi) a Termination due to
Retirement or (vii) a Voluntary Termination.

            (b) Termination Due to Death or Disability. In the event that
Executive's employment hereunder terminates due to his death or as a result of a
Termination due to Disability (as defined below), no termination benefits shall
be payable to or in respect of Executive except as provided in Section 8(e). For
purposes of this Agreement, "TERMINATION DUE TO DISABILITY" means a termination
of Executive's employment upon written notice from the Company because Executive
has been incapable, regardless of any reasonable accommodation by the Company,
of substantially fulfilling the positions, duties, responsibilities and
obligations set forth in this Agreement because of physical, mental or emotional
incapacity resulting from injury, sickness or disease for a period of more than
(i) four consecutive months or (ii) an aggregate of six months in any twelve
month period. Any question as to the existence or extent of Executive's
disability upon which Executive and the Company cannot agree shall be determined
by a qualified, independent physician jointly selected by the Company and
Executive. If the Company and Executive cannot agree on the physician to make
the determination, then the Company and Executive shall each select a physician
and those physicians shall jointly select a third physician, who shall make the
determination. The determination of any such physician shall be final and
conclusive for all purposes of this Agreement. Executive or his legal
representative or any adult member of his immediate family shall have the right
to present to such physician such information and arguments as to Executive's
disability as he, she or they deem appropriate, including the opinion of
Executive's personal physician.

            (c) Termination by the Company. The Company may terminate
Executive's employment with the Company with or without Cause; provided that
prior to the Registration Date, the Company may only terminate Executive's
employment hereunder for Cause. "TERMINATION FOR CAUSE" means a termination of
Executive's employment

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by the Company due to Cause. "CAUSE" means (i) Executive's conviction of a
felony or the entering by Executive of a plea of nolo contendere to a felony
charge, (ii) Executive's gross neglect or willful and intentional gross
misconduct in the performance of, or willful, substantial and continual refusal
by Executive in breach of this Agreement to perform, the duties,
responsibilities or obligations assigned to Executive pursuant to the terms
hereof, (iii) a TreeHouse Default (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement),
(iv) any material breach by Executive of Section 9 of this Agreement or (v) a
material breach by Executive of the Code of Ethics applicable to the Company's
employees, as in effect from time to time; provided, however, that no act or
omission shall constitute "Cause" for purposes of this Agreement unless the
Board provides Executive, within 90 days of the Board learning of such act or
acts or failure or failures to act, (A) written notice of the intention to
terminate him for Cause, which notice states in detail clearly and fully the
particular act or acts or failure or failures to act that constitute the grounds
on which the Board reasonably believes in good faith constitutes "Cause", and
(B) an opportunity, within thirty (30) days following Executive's receipt of
such notice, to meet in person with the Board to explain or defend the alleged
act or acts or failure or failures to act relied upon by the Board and, to the
extent such cure is possible, to cure such act or acts or failure or failures to
act. If such conduct is cured to the reasonable satisfaction of the Board, such
notice of termination shall be revoked. Further, no act or acts or failure or
failures to act shall be considered "willful" or "intentional" if taken in good
faith and Executive reasonably believed such act or acts or failure or failures
to act were in the best interests of the Company.

            (d) Termination by Executive. Executive may terminate his employment
with the Company for Good Reason, for Retirement or in a Voluntary Termination.
A "TERMINATION FOR GOOD REASON" by Executive means a termination of Executive's
employment by Executive within 90 days following (i) a reduction in Executive's
annual Base Salary or target Incentive Compensation opportunity, (ii) the
failure to elect or reelect Executive to any of the positions described in
Section 2 above or the removal of him from any such position, (iii) a material
reduction in Executive's duties and responsibilities or the assignment to
Executive of duties and responsibilities which are materially inconsistent with
his duties or which materially impair Executive's ability to function in the
position specified in Section 2, (iv) a material breach of any material
provision of this Agreement by the Company, (v) the earlier of (x) October 31,
2005 (or such later date as the Company and Executive (or Executive's agent
appointed pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement) shall agree) and (y) the Early
Termination Date (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement), if the Registration
Date has not occurred on or before such earlier date other than as a result of a
TreeHouse Default; (vi) any material breach by the Company or Dean of the
Stockholders Agreement; (vii) any material breach by the Company of any of the
award agreements referenced in Section 6(e); or (viii) the failure by the
Company to obtain the assumption agreement referred to in Section 10(b) of this
Agreement prior to the effectiveness of any succession referred to therein,
unless the purchaser, successor or assignee referred to therein is bound to
perform this Agreement by operation of law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a

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termination shall not be treated as a Termination for Good Reason (i) if
Executive shall have consented in writing to the occurrence of the event giving
rise to the claim of Termination for Good Reason (or non-occurrence of the event
described in clause (v) of this definition) or (ii) unless Executive shall have
delivered a written notice to the Board within 60 days of his having actual
knowledge of the occurrence of one of such events stating that he intends to
terminate his employment for Good Reason and specifying the factual basis for
such termination, and such event, if capable of being cured, shall not have been
cured within 10 days of the receipt of such notice. A "TERMINATION DUE TO
RETIREMENT" means Executive's voluntary termination of employment after having
(i) completed at least five (5) years of service with the Company and (ii) the
sum of the Executive's attained age and length of service with the Company is at
least 62 (or such lower number as the Board shall permit). A "VOLUNTARY
TERMINATION" shall mean a termination of employment by Executive that is not a
Termination for Good Reason, a Termination due to Retirement or a Termination
due to Disability, and which occurs after the Registration Date and on 90th day
after Executive shall have given the Company written notice of his intent to
terminate his employment (or as of such later date as Executive shall specify in
such notice).

            (e) Payments and Benefits Upon Certain Terminations.

                  (i) In the event of the termination of Executive's employment
      for any reason (including a voluntary termination of employment by
      Executive which is not a Termination for Good Reason), Executive shall be
      entitled to any Earned Compensation owed to Executive but not yet paid and
      the Vested Benefits.

                  (ii) Except as provided in Section 8(e)(iii), in the event the
      Employment Period ends by reason of a Termination Without Cause or a
      Termination for Good Reason, Executive shall receive the Basic Payment.

                  (iii) In lieu of the Basic Payment, in the event the
      Employment Period ends by reason of a Termination Without Cause or a
      Termination for Good Reason within the 24 month period immediately
      following a Change of Control, Executive shall receive the Special
      Payment.

                  (iv) In the event that Executive's employment terminates (A)
      due to his death, a Termination due to Disability or a Termination due to
      Retirement, in any such case, after the Registration Date, or (B) due to a
      Termination Without Cause or a Termination for Good Reason, in either
      case, after the Registration Date and at a time at which Sam Reed is not
      acting in the capacity of the Company's Chief Executive Officer, (x) any
      portion of the Option that has not become vested and exercisable prior to
      such termination of employment shall become vested and exercisable and, to
      the extent not earlier exercised, the Option shall remain exercisable
      until the second anniversary of such termination or, if earlier, the
      expiration of its term, and (y) any Basic Restricted Shares and
      Supplemental Restricted Shares outstanding on such date of termination
      shall continue to vest, if at

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      all, in accordance with their terms on the same terms and conditions that
      would have applied if Executive's employment hereunder had not been
      terminated.

                  (v) In the event that Executive's employment terminates due to
      a Termination Without Cause or a Termination for Good Reason, in either
      case, after the Registration Date and while Sam Reed is acting in the
      capacity of the Company's Chief Executive Officer, (A) in addition to any
      portion of the Option that at such time is vested and exercisable in the
      ordinary course, upon such termination, the following additional portion
      of the Option shall become vested and exercisable: (x) the portion of the
      Option, if any, that would have become vested and exercisable on the next
      following anniversary of the Option grant date had Executive continued to
      have been employed plus (y) the portion of the Option, if any, that would
      become vested on the second following anniversary of the Option grant date
      had Executive continued to have been employed times a fraction (the
      "PRO-RATION FRACTION"), the numerator of which is the number of days
      Executive was employed since the last anniversary of such grant date
      through (and including) the termination date and the denominator of which
      is 365, and (B) any portion of the Option that is vested and exercisable
      on the termination date (including the portion thereof that vests and
      becomes exercisable on such date pursuant to subclause (A)) shall be and
      remain exercisable (unless earlier exercised) until the second anniversary
      of the termination date.

                  (vi) In the event that Executive's employment terminates due
      to a Termination Without Cause or a Termination for Good Reason, in either
      case, after the Registration Date and while Sam Reed is acting in the
      capacity of the Company's Chief Executive Officer, in addition to any
      portion thereof that became vested in the ordinary course prior to the
      date of such termination, the following additional portion of the Basic
      Restricted Shares and Supplemental Restricted Share Units may continue to
      vest in accordance with its terms on the same basis as would have applied
      had Executive's employment not terminated: (x) any portion of the Basic
      Restricted Share award and the Supplemental Restricted Share Units award
      that had not become vested as of the termination date solely because the
      performance criteria applicable thereto had not yet been satisfied (i.e.,
      any portion thereof as to which the service requirements has been
      satisfied at the date Executive's employment terminated), (y) the portion
      of each such award that could become vested on the next following
      anniversary of the date on which it was granted had Executive continued to
      have been employed and (z) the portion of each such award, if any, that
      could become vested on the second following anniversary of the grant date
      of such award had Executive continued to have been employed, multiplied by
      the Pro-Ration Fraction.

                  (vii) In the event of a Termination due to Disability, a
      Termination Without Cause or a Termination for Good Reason, Executive
      shall be entitled to continued participation in all medical, dental,
      hospitalization and life insurance

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      coverage and in other employee benefit plans or programs in which he was
      participating on the date of the termination of his employment until the
      earlier of (A) the second anniversary (or, in the event Executive receives
      the Special Payment, the third anniversary) of his termination of
      employment and (B) the date, or dates, he receives equivalent coverage and
      benefits under the plans and programs of a subsequent employer (such
      coverages and benefits to be determined on a coverage-by-coverage, or
      benefit-by-benefit basis); provided that if Executive is precluded from
      continuing his participation in any employee plan or program as provided
      in this Section 8(e)(iv), he shall be provided with the economic
      equivalent of the benefits provided under the plan or program in which he
      is unable to participate.

                  (viii) Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Section 8,
      capitalized terms have the following meanings.

            "BASIC PAYMENT" means an amount equal to two times the sum of (a)
the annual Base Salary payable to Executive immediately prior to the end of the
Employment Period (or in the event a reduction in Base Salary is the basis for a
Termination for Good Reason, then the Base Salary in effect immediately prior to
such reduction) and (b) the Target Incentive Compensation for the calendar year
in which the Employment Period ends pursuant to Section 8(a).

            "CHANGE OF CONTROL" means the occurrence of any of the following
events following the date of distribution of the Common Stock to the
stockholders of Dean in connection with the Spin-Off: (a) any "person" (as such
term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, but specifically excluding
the Company, any wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and/or any employee
benefit plan maintained by the Company or any wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company) becomes the "beneficial owner" (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3
under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company
representing thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of the
Company's then outstanding securities; or (b) individuals who currently serve on
the Board, or whose election to the Board or nomination for election to the
Board was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors who
either currently serve on the Board, or whose election or nomination for
election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a
majority of the Board; or (c) the Company or any subsidiary of the Company shall
merge with or consolidate into any other corporation, other than a merger or
consolidation which would result in the holders of the voting securities of the
Company outstanding immediately prior thereto holding immediately thereafter
securities representing more than sixty percent (60%) of the combined voting
power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity (or its
ultimate parent, if applicable) outstanding immediately after such merger or
consolidation; or (d) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete
liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the
Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets, or such a plan is
commenced.

                                       12
<PAGE>

            "DATE OF TERMINATION" means (i) if Executive's employment is
terminated by his death, the date of his death, and (ii) if Executive's
employment is terminated for any other reason, the date specified in a notice of
termination delivered to Executive by the Company (or if no such date is
specified, the date such notice is delivered).

            "EARNED COMPENSATION" means the sum of (a) any Base Salary earned,
but unpaid, for services rendered to the Company on or prior to the date on
which the Employment Period ends pursuant to Section 8(a), (b) any annual
Incentive Compensation payable for services rendered in the calendar year
preceding the calendar year in which the Employment Period ends that has not
been paid on or prior to the date the Employment Period ends (other than (x)
Base Salary and (y) Incentive Compensation deferred pursuant to Executive's
election), (c) any accrued but unused vacation days and (d) any business
expenses incurred on or prior to the date of the Executive's termination that
are eligible for reimbursement in accordance with the Company's expense
reimbursement policies as then in effect.

            "SPECIAL PAYMENT" means an amount equal to three times the sum of
(a) the annual Base Salary payable to Executive immediately prior to the end of
the Employment Period (or in the event a reduction in Base Salary is the basis
for a Termination for Good Reason, then the Base Salary in effect immediately
prior to such reduction) and (b) the Target Incentive Compensation for the
calendar year in which the Employment Period ends pursuant to Section 8(a).

            "TARGET INCENTIVE COMPENSATION" means with respect to any calendar
year the annual Incentive Compensation Executive would have been entitled to
receive under Section 4(b) for such calendar year had he remained employed by
the Company for the entire calendar year and assuming that all targets for such
calendar year had been met.

            "VESTED BENEFITS" means amounts which are vested or which Executive
is otherwise entitled to receive under the terms of or in accordance with any
plan, policy, practice or program of, or any contract or agreement with, the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, at or subsequent to the date of his
termination without regard to the performance by Executive of further services
or the resolution of a contingency.

            (f) Resignation upon Termination. Effective as of any Date of
Termination under this Section 8, Executive shall resign, in writing, from all
positions then held by him with the Company and its affiliates.

            (g) Timing of Payments. Earned Compensation, the Basic Payment and
the Special Payment shall be paid in a single lump sum as soon as practicable,
but in no event more than 15 days, following the end of the Employment Period.
Vested Benefits shall be payable in accordance with the terms of the plan,
policy, practice, program, contract or agreement under which such benefits have
accrued.

                                       13
<PAGE>

            (h) Payment Following a Change of Control. If the aggregate of all
payments or benefits made or provided to Executive with respect to any of the
equity compensation provided under Section 5 or Section 6, under Section
8(e)(iii)(A), if applicable, and under all other plans and programs of the
Company (the "AGGREGATE PAYMENT") is determined to constitute a Parachute
Payment, as such term is defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, the Company
shall pay to Executive, prior to the time any excise tax imposed by Section 4999
of the Code (the "EXCISE TAX") is payable with respect to such Aggregate
Payment, an additional amount which, after the imposition of all income,
employment and excise taxes thereon, is equal to the Excise Tax on the Aggregate
Payment. The determination of whether the Aggregate Payment constitutes a
Parachute Payment and, if so, the amount to be paid to Executive and the time of
payment pursuant to this Section 8(h) shall be made by the Company's independent
auditor or, if such independent auditor is unwilling or unable to serve in this
capacity, such other nationally recognized accounting firm selected by the
Company with the consent of the person serving as the Chief Executive Officer of
the Company immediately prior to the Change of Control, which consent shall not
be unreasonably withheld (the "AUDITOR").

            (i) Full Discharge of Company Obligations. The amounts payable to
Executive pursuant to this Section 8 following termination of his employment
(including amounts payable with respect to Vested Benefits) shall be in full and
complete satisfaction of Executive's rights under this Agreement and any other
claims he may have in respect of his employment by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries other than claims for common law torts or under other contracts
between Executive and the Company or its subsidiaries. Such amounts shall
constitute liquidated damages with respect to any and all such rights and claims
and, upon Executive's receipt of such amounts, the Company shall be released and
discharged from any and all liability to Executive in connection with this
Agreement or otherwise in connection with Executive's employment with the
Company and its subsidiaries and, as a condition to payment of any such amounts
that are in excess of the Earned Compensation and the Vested Benefits, following
the Date of Termination and if requested by the Company, Executive shall execute
a release in favor of the Company in the form approved by the Company.

            (j) No Mitigation; No Offset. In the event of any termination of
employment under this Section 8, Executive shall be under no obligation to seek
other employment and there shall be no offset against amounts due Executive
under this Agreement on account of any remuneration attributable to any
subsequent employment that he may obtain except as specifically provided with
regard to the continuation of benefits in Section 8(e)(v).

      9. Noncompetition and Confidentiality.

            (a) Noncompetition. During the Employment Period and, in the event
that Executive's employment is terminated for any reason other than death, a
Termination Without Cause or a Termination for Good Reason, for a period of 12
months following

                                       14
<PAGE>

the Date of Termination (the "POST-TERMINATION PERIOD"), Executive shall not
become associated with any entity, whether as a principal, partner, employee,
consultant or shareholder (other than as a holder of not in excess of 1% of the
outstanding voting shares of any publicly traded company), that is actively
engaged in any geographic area in any business which is in competition with a
business conducted by the Company at the time of the alleged competition and, in
the case of the Post-Termination Period, at the Date of Termination.

            (b) Confidentiality. Without the prior written consent of the
Company, except (i) in the course of carrying out his duties hereunder or (ii)
to the extent required by an order of a court having competent jurisdiction or
under subpoena from an appropriate government agency, Executive shall not
disclose any trade secrets, customer lists, drawings, designs, information
regarding product development, marketing plans, sales plans, manufacturing
plans, management organization information (including data and other information
relating to members of the Board and management), operating policies or manuals,
business plans, financial records, packaging design or other financial,
commercial, business or technical information relating to the Company or any of
its subsidiaries or information designated as confidential or proprietary that
the Company or any of its subsidiaries may receive belonging to suppliers,
customers or others who do business with the Company or any of its subsidiaries
(collectively, "CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION") to any third person unless such
Confidential Information has been previously disclosed to the public by the
Company or has otherwise become available to the public (other than by reason of
Executive's breach of this Section 9(b)).

            (c) Company Property. Promptly following termination of Executive's
employment, Executive shall return to the Company all property of the Company,
and all copies thereof in Executive's possession or under his control, except
that Executive may retain his personal notes, diaries, Rolodexes, calendars and
correspondence.

            (d) Non-Solicitation of Employees. During the Employment Period and
during the one year period following any termination of Executive's employment
for any reason, Executive shall not, except in the course of carrying out his
duties hereunder, directly or indirectly induce any employee of the Company or
any of its subsidiaries to terminate employment with such entity, and shall not
directly or indirectly, either individually or as owner, agent, employee,
consultant or otherwise, knowingly employ or offer employment to any person who
is or was employed by the Company or a subsidiary thereof unless such person
shall have ceased to be employed by such entity for a period of at least 6
months.

            (e) Injunctive Relief with Respect to Covenants. Executive
acknowledges and agrees that the covenants and obligations of Executive with
respect to noncompetition, nonsolicitation, confidentiality and Company property
relate to special, unique and extraordinary matters and that a violation of any
of the terms of such covenants and obligations may cause the Company irreparable
injury for which adequate

                                       15
<PAGE>

remedies are not available at law. Therefore, Executive agrees that the Company
shall be entitled to an injunction, restraining order or such other equitable
relief restraining Executive from committing any violation of the covenants and
obligations contained in this Section 9. These injunctive remedies are
cumulative and are in addition to any other rights and remedies the Company may
have at law or in equity.

      10. Miscellaneous.

            (a) Survival. Sections 7(d) (relating to the Company's obligation to
indemnify Executive), 8 (relating to early termination), 9 (relating to
noncompetition, nonsolicitation and confidentiality) and 10(o) (relating to
governing law) shall survive the termination hereof, whether such termination
shall be by expiration of the Employment Period or an early termination pursuant
to Section 8 hereof.

            (b) Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding on, and shall
inure to the benefit of, the Company and any person or entity that succeeds to
the interest of the Company (regardless of whether such succession does or does
not occur by operation of law) by reason of a merger, consolidation or
reorganization involving the Company or a sale of all or substantially all of
the assets of the Company, provided that the assignee or transferee is the
successor to all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and such
assignee or transferee assumes the liabilities, obligations and duties of the
Company, as contained in this Agreement, either contractually or as a matter of
law. The Company further agrees that, in the event of a sale of assets as
described in the preceding sentence, it shall use its reasonable best efforts to
cause such assignee or transferee to expressly assume the liabilities,
obligations and duties of the Company hereunder. This Agreement shall also inure
to the benefit of Executive's heirs, executors, administrators and legal
representatives and beneficiaries as provided in Section 10(d).

            (c) Assignment. Except as provided under Section 10(b), neither this
Agreement nor any of the rights or obligations hereunder shall be assigned or
delegated by any party hereto without the prior written consent of the other
party.

            (d) Beneficiaries/References. Executive shall be entitled, to the
extent permitted under any applicable law and the terms of any applicable plan,
to select and change a beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive any compensation
or benefit payable hereunder following Executive's death by giving the Company
written notice thereof. In the event of Executive's death or a judicial
determination of his incompetence, reference in this Agreement to Executive
shall be deemed, where appropriate, to refer to his beneficiary, estate or other
legal representative.

            (e) Resolution of Disputes. Any disputes arising under or in
connection with this Agreement shall, at the election of Executive or the
Company, be resolved by binding arbitration, to be held in Chicago, Illinois in
accordance with the rules and procedures of the American Arbitration
Association. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be
entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. Costs of the

                                       16
<PAGE>

arbitration shall be borne by the Company. Unless the arbitrator determines that
Executive did not have a reasonable basis for asserting his position with
respect to the dispute in question, the Company shall also reimburse Executive
for his reasonable attorneys' fees incurred with respect to any arbitration.
Pending the resolution of any arbitration or court proceeding, the Company shall
continue payment of all amounts due Executive under this Agreement and all
benefits to which Executive is entitled at the time the dispute arises (other
than the amounts which are the subject of such dispute).

            (f) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the matters referred to
herein. No amendment to this Agreement shall be binding between the parties
unless it is in writing and signed by the party against whom enforcement is
sought. There are no promises, representations, inducements or statements
between the parties other than those that are expressly contained herein.
Executive acknowledges that he is entering into this Agreement of his own free
will and accord, and with no duress, that he has been represented and fully
advised by competent counsel in entering into this Agreement, that he has read
this Agreement and that he understands it and its legal consequences.

            (g) Representations. Executive represents that his employment
hereunder and compliance by him with the terms and conditions of this Agreement
will not conflict with or result in the breach of any agreement to which he is a
party or by which he may be bound. The Company is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
The Company has the full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver
this Agreement. The Company has taken all action required by law, the
Certificate of Incorporation, its By-Laws or otherwise required to be taken by
it to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by it of this Agreement.
This Agreement is a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable
against the Company in accordance with its terms.

            (h) Severability; Reformation. In the event that one or more of the
provisions of this Agreement shall become invalid, illegal or unenforceable in
any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions contained herein shall not be affected thereby. In the event any of
Section 9(a), (b) or (d) is not enforceable in accordance with its terms,
Executive and the Company agree that such Section shall be reformed to make such
Section enforceable in a manner which provides the Company the maximum rights
permitted at law.

            (i) Waiver. Waiver by any party hereto of any breach or default by
the other party of any of the terms of this Agreement shall not operate as a
waiver of any other breach or default, whether similar to or different from the
breach or default waived. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be
implied from any course of dealing between the parties hereto or from any
failure by either party hereto to assert its or his rights hereunder on any
occasion or series of occasions.

                                       17
<PAGE>

            (j) Notices. Any notice required or desired to be delivered under
this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, by courier
service, by registered mail, return receipt requested, or by telecopy and shall
be effective upon actual receipt when delivered or sent by telecopy and upon
mailing when sent by registered mail, and shall be addressed as follows (or to
such other address as the party entitled to notice shall hereafter designate in
accordance with the terms hereof):

            If to the Company:

                     857-897 School Place
                     P.O. Box 19057
                     Green Bay, Wisconsin  54307
                     Attention:  General Counsel
                     Telecopy No.:  (920) 497-4604

                     prior to the Registration Date, with a copy to:

                     Dean Foods Company
                     2515 McKinney Avenue
                     Suite 1200
                     Dallas, Texas  75201
                     Attention:  General Counsel
                     Telecopy No.:  (214) 303-3413

            If to Executive:

                     19 Indian Hill Road
                     Winnetka, Illinois  60093

                     with a copy to:

                     Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz, P.C.
                     222 N. LaSalle Street
                     Chicago, Illinois  60601
                     Attention:  Robert J. Stucker, Esq.
                                 Thomas P. Desmond, Esq.

            (k) Amendments. This Agreement may not be altered, modified or
amended except by a written instrument signed by each of the parties hereto.

            (l) Headings. Headings to Sections in this Agreement are for the
convenience of the parties only and are not intended to be part of or to affect
the meaning or interpretation hereof.

                                       18
<PAGE>

            (m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.

            (n) Withholding. Any payments provided for herein shall be reduced
by any amounts required to be withheld by the Company from time to time under
applicable federal, state or local income or employment tax laws or similar
statutes or other provisions of law then in effect.

            (o) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of
the State of Delaware, without reference to principles of conflicts or choice of
law under which the law of any other jurisdiction would apply.

                          -- Signature page follows --

                                       19
<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed
by its duly authorized officer and Executive has hereunto set his hand as of the
day and year first above written.

                                                     DEAN SPECIALTY FOODS
                                                         HOLDINGS, INC.

                                                       By:_______________
                                                          Name:
                                                          Title:

                                                     EXECUTIVE:

                                                     ____________________
                                                     Thomas E. O'Neill

                                       20
<PAGE>

                                                                      Schedule A

On each of January 31, 2006, January 31, 2007 and January 31, 2008, one-third of
the Basic Restricted Shares shall vest, provided that the Company's Total
Shareholder Return for the period commencing on the fourth trading day following
the Registration Date (the "COMMENCEMENT DATE") and ending on such January 31st
equals or exceeds the median of the Total Shareholder Return for such period for
the companies in the Selected Peer Group (as defined below).

In addition, on each of January 31, 2007, January 31, 2008, January 31, 2009 and
January 31, 2010, any Basic Restricted Shares that could have vested, but that
did not vest, on any preceding January 31st shall vest on such subsequent date
if the Company's Total Shareholder Return for the period from the Commencement
Date through the applicable January 31st shall equal or exceed the median of the
Total Shareholder Return for such period for the companies in the Selected Peer
Group.

As used herein, "TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN" shall mean the percentage return
received by all shareholders of the relevant company during the applicable
measurement period, including stock price appreciation and dividends, and shall
be calculated as follows:

 Ending Stock Price (1) - Beginning Stock Price (2) + Dividend Reinvestment (3)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Beginning Stock Price (2)

      (1)   With respect to each of the Company and each company in the Selected
            Peer Group, the average of the closing prices of its common stock
            for the 20 consecutive trading day period ending on the applicable
            January 31st (or if the applicable January 31 is not a trading date,
            the immediately preceding trading date).

      (2)   With respect to each of the Company and each company in the Selected
            Peer Group, the average of the closing prices of its common stock on
            the Registration Date and each of the four consecutive trading days
            immediately following the Registration Date.

      (3)   Assumes any dividends paid on the common stock of the Company or any
            company in the Selected Peer Group are used to purchase its common
            stock at the closing stock price on the date that such dividends are
            payable, and includes the value of such additional shares of such
            common stock (based on the Ending Stock Price for such common
            stock).

As used herein, "SELECTED PEER GROUP" shall mean 20 or more companies selected
by the Board of Directors of the Company (or any authorized committee thereof)
from

                                       21
<PAGE>

among packaged food companies whose securities are registered to trade on a U.S.
national securities exchange or automated quotation system (including, but not
limited to NASDAQ) (the "PEER COMPANIES") on or as soon as practicable after the
Registration Date; provided that in no event shall any Ineligible Company be
selected to be a member of the Selected Peer Group. An "INELIGIBLE Company"
shall mean any Peer Company (i) in which significant portion of its voting
securities is held by another corporate entity (other than an open-ended
investment company); (ii) has filed for protection under the Federal bankruptcy
law or any similar law, (iii) which is not organized, based and majority-owned
in the United States, (iv) is party to any agreement the consummation of which
would cause such Peer Company to cease to be publicly traded (or be described in
subclause (i) or (iii)), or (v) which has announced an intention to be sold or
cease to be publicly traded or to take actions which would cause it to be
described in subclause (i) or (iii). To the extent that any Peer Company
initially selected as part of the Selected Peer Group with respect to a
measurement period shall become an Ineligible Company prior to the end of such
period, such company shall be excluded from the Selected Peer Group for such
period. The Selected Peer Group will be reviewed annually to determine whether
any of its members shall have become Ineligible Companies.

                                       22