<PAGE>
                                                                    Exhibit 10.5

                                                                [Execution Copy]

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

            AGREEMENT, dated as of the 10th day of April, 2001, by and among
Michael Foods, Inc., a Minnesota corporation having its principal executive
offices in Minneapolis, Minnesota (the "Company"), Gregg A. Ostrander (the
"Executive"), and for the purposes of Section 6 hereof, M-Foods Holdings, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation and controlling entity of the Company ("Holdings").

            WHEREAS, Executive currently serves as a senior executive officer of
the Company;

            WHEREAS, the Company recognizes the Executive's substantial
contribution to the growth and success of the Company, desires to provide for
the continued employment of the Executive and to make certain changes in the
Executive's employment arrangements with the Company, which the Board has
determined will reinforce and encourage the continued attention and dedication
to the Company of the Executive as a member of the Company's senior management
in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders;

            WHEREAS, the Executive is willing to continue to serve the Company
on the terms and conditions set forth below;

            NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

            1. Employment Period. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, including Section 3, the Company hereby agrees to continue to employ
the Executive, and the Executive hereby agrees to continue in the employ of the
Company, for the period commencing on the date hereof (the "Effective Date") and
ending on the second anniversary of such Effective Date (the "Employment
Period"), provided, however, that commencing on the first anniversary of the
Effective Date and each subsequent anniversary thereafter, the Employment Period
shall automatically be extended for one additional year.

            2. Terms of Employment.

                  (a) Position and Duties.

                        (i) During the Employment Period, the Executive shall
      serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive
      Officer of the Company with the appropriate authority, duties and
      responsibilities attendant to such positions. Executive shall also serve,
      at the request of the Company, as a Director of the Company and each of
      its subsidiaries.

                        (ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding any
      periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the
      Executive agrees to devote substantially all of his attention and time
      during his normal business hours to the business
<PAGE>

      and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge the
      responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the
      Executive's reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently
      such responsibilities.

                  (b) Compensation.

                        (i) Annual Base Salary. Effective immediately, and
      during the Employment Period, the Executive shall receive an annual base
      salary ("Annual Base Salary") of at least $595,000, the competitiveness of
      which shall be periodically reviewed and adjusted in accordance with
      Company policy. Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not serve to
      limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this
      Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase
      and the term Annual Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall refer
      to Annual Base Salary as so increased.

                        (ii) Annual Bonus. During the Employment Period, the
      Executive shall participate in such bonus arrangements as may be approved
      by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the "Compensation Committee")
      (the aggregate of all payments made under such bonus arrangements being
      herein referred to as the "Annual Bonus"). Executive's aggregate bonus
      opportunity will be no less than 100% of Annual Base Salary and the
      "Target Bonus" will be no less than 62.5% of Annual Base Salary or greater
      as determined by the Compensation Committee. The Annual Bonus shall be
      paid within two and one-half months of the end of the fiscal year of the
      Company to which it relates. If a Change in Control occurs, the Executive
      shall be paid at least the Target Bonus for the year in which such Change
      in Control occurs and in each subsequent year of continuing employment
      until the end of the Employment Period.

                        (iii) Long-Term Incentive Plans. The Executive shall
      participate in long-term incentive plans including all stock option plans
      and other long-term incentive plans the Company may adopt from time to
      time on a basis no less favorable than that provided to any other
      executive officer of the Company.

                        (iv) Other Employee Benefit Plans. During the Employment
      Period, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Executive shall
      be entitled to participate in all compensation, incentive, employee
      benefit, welfare and other plans, practices, policies and programs and
      fringe benefits on a basis no less favorable than that provided to any
      other executive officer of the Company.

            3. Termination of Employment.

                  (a) Death or Disability. The Executive's employment shall
terminate automatically upon the Executive's death during the Employment Period.
If the Company determines in good faith that the Disability of the Executive has
occurred during the Employment Period (pursuant to the definition of Disability
set forth below), it may give to the Executive written


                                       -2-
<PAGE>

notice in accordance with Section 11(b) of this Agreement of its intention to
terminate the Executive's employment. In such event, the Executive's employment
with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such
notice by the Executive (the "Disability Effective Date"), provided that, within
the 30 days after such receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to
full-time performance of the Executive's duties. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Disability" shall mean a determination by the Company in its sole discretion
that Executive is unable to perform his job responsibilities as a result of
chronic illness, physical, mental or any other disability for a period of six
months or more.

                  (b) With or Without Cause. The Company may terminate the
Executive's employment during the Employment Period with or without Cause. For
purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean:

                        (i) the continued failure of the Executive to perform
      substantially the Executive's duties with the Company or one of its
      affiliates (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to
      physical or mental illness), after a written demand for substantial
      performance is delivered to the Executive by the Board which specifically
      identifies the manner in which the Board believes that the Executive has
      not substantially performed the Executive's duties, or

                        (ii) the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal
      conduct or gross misconduct which is materially and demonstrably injurious
      to the Company, or

                        (iii) conviction of a felony or guilty or nolo
      contendere plea by the Executive with respect thereto.

For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part of the
Executive, shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or omitted to be
done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the
Executive's action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any
act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly
adopted by the Board or upon the instructions of the Chief Executive Officer
(while the Executive does not serve as such) or based upon the advice of counsel
for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be
done, by the Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company.
The cessation of employment of the Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause
unless and until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a
resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than 75% of the
entire membership of the Board (excluding the Executive) at a meeting of the
Board called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to
the Executive and the Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel,
to be heard before the Board) finding that, in the good faith opinion of the
Board, the Executive is guilty of the conduct described in subparagraph (i),
(ii) or (iii) above, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.


                                       -3-
<PAGE>

                  (c) Good Reason. The Executive's employment may be terminated
by the Executive for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason"
shall mean in the absence of a written consent of the Executive:

                        (i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties
      inconsistent with the Executive's title and position (including status,
      offices and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities
      as contemplated by Section 2(a)(i) of this Agreement, or any other action
      by the Company which results in a diminution in such position, authority,
      duties or responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated,
      insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is
      remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by
      the Executive; provided that it is specifically understood that within six
      months of a Change in Control the Company shall have the flexibility to
      appoint the Executive to a reporting relationship different from that
      which existed prior to the Change in Control, to make an immaterial change
      in Executive's duties, or to change the Executive's title provided that
      Executive shall not have a stature less than that of a Divisional
      President, and it is understood that equivalent positions may have
      different titles;

                        (ii) any failure by the Company to comply with any of
      the provisions of Section 2(b) of this Agreement or the failure by the
      Company to increase such base salary each year after a Change in Control
      by an amount which at least equals on a percentage basis, the mean average
      percentage increase in base salary for all employees similarly situated
      during the two (2) full calendar years immediately preceding a Change in
      Control, other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure not
      occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after
      receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;

                        (iii) the failure of the Company upon a Change in
      Control to (A) continue in effect any employee benefit plan, compensation
      plan, welfare benefit plan or material fringe benefit plan in which
      Executive is participating immediately prior to such Change in Control or
      the taking of any action by the Company which would adversely affect
      Executive's participation in or reduce Executive's benefits under any such
      plan, unless Executive is permitted to participate in other plans
      providing Executive with substantially equivalent benefits, or (B) provide
      Executive with paid vacation in accordance with the most favorable past
      practice of the Company as in effect for Executive immediately prior to
      such Change in Control;

                        (iv) any purported termination by the Company of the
      Executive's employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this
      Agreement for Cause, death or Disability;

                        (v) any failure by the Company to comply with and
      satisfy Section 10(c) of this Agreement;


                                       -4-
<PAGE>

                        (vi) any requirement that the Executive (A) be based
      anywhere more than fifty (50) miles from the office where the Executive is
      currently located or (B) travel on Company business to an extent
      substantially greater than the Executive's current travel obligations; or

                        (vii) any failure of the Executive to be elected to, or
      to remain a member of, the Company's Board of Directors; provided,
      however, that after a Change in Control, failure of the Executive to be
      nominated to the Board of Directors of a successor that is a publicly
      traded company shall not constitute Good Reason.

                  (d) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company or
by the Executive shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other
party hereto given in accordance with Section 11(b) of this Agreement. For
purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" means a written notice
which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied
upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts
and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive's
employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination
(as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies
the termination date (which date shall be not more than thirty days after the
giving of such notice). The failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth
in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a
showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or
the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company,
respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the
Executive's or the Company's rights hereunder.

                  (e) Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" means (i) if
the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company other than for
Disability, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later date
specified therein within 30 days of such notice, (ii) if the Executive's
employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the date of death of
the Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case may be, and (iii) if
the Executive's employment is terminated by the Executive, thirty days after the
giving of such notice by the Executive provided that the Company may elect to
place the Executive on paid leave for all or any part of such 30-day period.

                  (f) Change in Control. "Change in Control" means the
consummation of a transaction, whether in a single transaction or in a series of
related transactions that are consummated contemporaneously (or consummated
pursuant to contemporaneous agreements), with any other party or parties on an
arm's-length basis, pursuant to which (a) such party or parties, directly or
indirectly, acquire (whether by merger, stock purchase, recapitalization,
reorganization, redemption, issuance of capital stock or otherwise) more than
50% of the voting stock of the Company, (b) such party or parties, directly or
indirectly, acquire assets constituting all or substantially all of the assets
of the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, or (c) prior to an
initial public offering of the Company Common Stock pursuant to an offering
registered under the 1933 Act, Vestar Capital Partners IV, L.P. a Delaware
limited partnership and its affiliates cease


                                       -5-
<PAGE>

to have the ability to elect, directly or indirectly, a majority of the Board of
Directors of the Company.

            4. Obligations of the Company upon Termination.

                  (a) Death or Disability. If, during the Employment Period, the
Executive's employment shall terminate on account of death or Disability:

                        (i) the Company shall pay to the Executive or his estate
      or beneficiaries in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of
      Termination the sum of (x) the Executive's Annual Base Salary through the
      Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, and (y) the
      product of (1) the Target Bonus and (2) a fraction, the numerator of which
      is the number of whole and partial months in the fiscal year in which the
      Date of Termination occurs through the Date of Termination and the
      denominator of which is 12, to the extent not theretofore paid (the sum of
      the amounts described in clauses (x) and (y) shall be hereinafter referred
      to as the "Accrued Obligations");

                        (ii) to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the
      Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive or his estate or
      beneficiaries any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or
      provided or which the Executive is eligible to receive under any plan,
      program, policy or practice of or contract or agreement with the Company
      and its affiliated companies through the Date of Termination (such other
      amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Other
      Benefits"); and

                        (iii) the Company shall pay to the Executive or his
      estate or beneficiaries in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the
      Date of Termination an amount equal to the product of (x) three (3) and
      (y) the sum of the Executive's current Annual Base Salary and Target
      Bonus.

                  (b) By the Company for Cause; By the Executive Other than for
Good Reason. If the Executive's employment is terminated for Cause or the
Executive terminates his employment without Good Reason during the Employment
Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the
Executive other than the obligation to pay to the Executive (i) his Annual Base
Salary through the Date of Termination to the extent theretofore unpaid and (ii)
the Other Benefits.

                  (c) By the Company Other than for Cause, Death or Disability;
By the Executive for Good Reason. If, during the Employment Period, the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason or by the
Company other than for Cause and other than on account of death or Disability:

                        (i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum
      in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination the sum of:


                                       -6-
<PAGE>

                              (A) the Accrued Obligations; and

                              (B) the amount equal to the product of (x) three
            (3) and (y) the sum of the Executive's current Annual Base Salary
            and Target Bonus;

                        (ii) the Company shall provide the Executive with the
      Other Benefits; and

                        (iii) for a period of three (3) years following
      Executive's Date of Termination the Company shall continue to provide
      medical, dental and life insurance benefits to the Executive, his spouse
      and children under age 25 on the same basis, including without limitation
      employee contributions, as such benefits are then currently provided to
      the Executive ("Welfare Benefits"); provided that the provision of such
      Welfare Benefits shall cease in the event Executive becomes eligible to
      receive comparable benefits from another employer (either because he
      becomes employed by, or becomes an independent contractor with respect to
      such employer).

            5. Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation. Executive acknowledges that
in the course of his employment with the Company he will become familiar with
the Company's and its subsidiaries' trade secrets and other confidential
information concerning the Company and such subsidiaries and that his services
will be of special, unique and extraordinary value to the Company and its
subsidiaries. Therefore, Executive agrees that:

                  (a) Noncompetition. During the period commencing on the
Effective Date and ending on the second anniversary of the date Executive's
employment with the Company terminates (such period the "Restricted Period"),
Executive shall not, for himself or on behalf of any other person, firm,
partnership, corporation, or other entity, engage, directly or indirectly, as an
executive, agent, representative, consultant, partner, shareholder or holder of
any other financial interest, in any business that competes with the Company in
the business of the production, distribution or sales of eggs or egg products (a
"Competing Business"), it being understood and agreed that Executive shall not
be in violation of this restriction where Executive is employed by a person,
firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity engaged in a variety of
activities, including the Competing Business, so long as Executive is not
engaged in or responsible for the Competing Business of such entity. Nothing
herein shall prohibit Executive from being a passive owner of not more than 2%
of the outstanding publicly traded stock of any class of a Competing Business so
long as Executive has no active participation in the business of such entity,
except to the extent permitted above. Executive acknowledges that this
Agreement, and specifically, this Section 5, does not preclude Executive from
earning a livelihood, nor does it unreasonably impose limitations on Executive's
ability to earn a living. In addition, Executive agrees and acknowledges that
the potential harm to the Company of its non-enforcement outweighs any harm to
Executive of its enforcement by injunction or otherwise.


                                       -7-
<PAGE>

                  (b) Nonsolicitation. During the Restricted Period, Executive
shall not directly or indirectly through another entity (i) induce or attempt to
induce any employee of the Company or its subsidiaries to leave the employ of
the Company or its subsidiaries, or in any way interfere with the relationship
between the Company or any of its subsidiaries and any employee thereof, (ii)
knowingly hire any person who was an employee of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries within 180 days prior to the time such employee was hired by
Executive, (iii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, licensee or
other business relation of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to cease doing
business with the Company or its subsidiaries or in any way interfere with the
relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee or business relation
and the Company or any subsidiary or (iv) directly or indirectly acquire or
attempt to acquire an interest in any business relating to the business of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries and with which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries has entertained discussions or has requested and received
information relating to the acquisition of such business by the Company or its
subsidiaries in the one-year period immediately preceding Executive's
termination of employment with the Company.

                  (c) Enforcement. The parties to this Agreement hereby agree
and stipulate that (i) the restrictions contained in this Agreement are
reasonable and necessary in order to protect the Company's and its subsidiaries'
legitimate business interests and (ii) in the event of any breach or violation
of this Agreement or of any provision hereof by Executive, the Company and its
subsidiaries will have no adequate remedy at law and will suffer irreparable
loss and damage thereby. The parties hereby further agree and stipulate that in
the event of any such breach or violation, either threatened or actual, the
Company's and its subsidiaries' rights shall include, in addition to any and all
other rights available to the Company and its subsidiaries at law or in equity,
the right to seek and obtain any and all injunctive relief or restraining orders
available to it in courts of proper jurisdiction, so as to prohibit, bar, and
restrain any and all such breaches or violations by Executive. The prevailing
party to any legal action, arbitration or other proceeding commenced in
connection with enforcing any provision of this Section 5, including without
limitation, obtaining the injunctive relief provided by this Section 5 shall be
entitled to recover all court costs, reasonable attorneys' fees, and related
expenses incurred by such party. Executive further agrees that no bond need be
filed in connection with any request by the Company and its subsidiaries for a
temporary restraining order or for temporary or preliminary injunctive relief.

                  (d) Additional Acknowledgments. Executive acknowledges that
the provisions of this Section 5 are in consideration of: (i) employment with
the Company, (ii) the issuance by M-Foods Investors, LLC, a Delaware corporation
and affiliate of the Company ("Investors"), to Executive of Investors' Class B
Units (the "Class B Units") and Investors' Class C Units pursuant to the terms
of that certain Management Stock Purchase and Unit Subscription Agreement, dated
as of the date hereof, by and between Investors and Executive (the "Management
Stock Purchase and Unit Subscription Agreement"), and (iii) additional good and
valuable consideration as set forth in this Agreement. In addition, Executive
acknowledges (i) that the business of the Company and its subsidiaries is
national in scope and without geographical limitation and (ii) notwithstanding
the state of incorporation or principal office of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, or any of their respective executives or employees (including the
Executive), it is


                                       -8-
<PAGE>

expected that the Company will have business activities and have valuable
business relationships within its industry throughout the United States.
Executive acknowledges that he has carefully read this Agreement and has given
careful consideration to the restraints imposed upon Executive by this
Agreement, and is in full accord as to their necessity for the reasonable and
proper protection of confidential and proprietary information of the Company and
its subsidiaries now existing or to be developed in the future. Executive
expressly acknowledges and agrees that each and every restraint imposed by this
Agreement is reasonable with respect to subject matter, time period and
geographical area.

            6. Deferral of Certain Compensation. In connection with the
Executive's agreement to cancel all of his options to acquire Company Common
Stock pursuant to the terms of that certain Option Cancellation Agreement, dated
as of the date hereof, by and between the Executive and the Company, the Company
shall (a) pay to Executive an amount equal to $602,659 (the "Cancellation
Payment") and (b) rollover an amount equal to $4,032,000 (the "Deferred Amount")
to an unfunded, unsecured nonqualified deferred compensation arrangement
established for this purpose (the "Deferred Account"). Each of the Executive,
the Company and Holdings agrees that Holdings, through an intercompany transfer,
shall assume all obligations associated with the Deferred Amount. The
Cancellation Payment shall be paid by the Company to the Executive on the
Effective Date, or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter.

      With respect to the Deferred Account, the Deferred Amount shall be deemed
to be invested (i.e., an actual investment will not be made), as of the
Effective Date, in (A) 40,320 Class A Units of Investors (the "Investors A
Units") and (B) 40,320 Class A Units (the "Dairy A Units") of M-Foods Dairy
Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Dairy Holdings"). Holdings
shall credit Executive's Deferred Account with certain of the distributions that
would be received by the Deferred Account if such Deferred Account were actually
invested in the manner set forth in the preceding sentence in Investors A Units
and Dairy A Units, the extent of such crediting to be in accordance with the
calculations set forth in the following two paragraphs. All amounts in the
Executive's Deferred Account shall be subject to the claims of the creditors of
Holdings.

      With respect to the Investors A Units, Holdings shall credit Executive's
Deferred Account with any distributions made in respect of such Investors A
Units pursuant to or in accordance with Sections 4.4(a)(i) and 4.4(a)(ii) of the
Investors' Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated April
10, 2001 (the "Investors LLC Agreement"). In the event Investors distributes
non-cash property to holders of Investors A Units pursuant to Sections 4.4(a)(i)
or 4.4(a)(ii) of the Investors LLC Agreement, Holdings shall credit Executive's
Deferred Account in an amount equal to the fair market value of such property,
as determined by the Management Committee of Investors. Executive's Deferred
Account shall not be credited with any distributions made in respect of
Investors A Units pursuant to or in accordance with any subsections of Section
4.4 of the Investors LLC Agreement other than Sections 4.4(a)(i) and 4.4(a)(ii)
thereof. In the event that Investors A Units are sold by one or more holders of
Investors A Units to a buyer unrelated on the date hereof to the holders of
Investors A Units, Holdings shall credit Executive's Deferred Account with an
amount equal to the result of (x) the percentage of outstanding Investors A
Units


                                       -9-
<PAGE>

being purchased by an unrelated buyer (including, for purposes of this
percentage calculation, the number of Investors A Units deemed held by the
Deferred Account and any other unfunded, unsecured nonqualified deferred
compensation arrangements similarly established to be deemed to hold Investors A
Units) multiplied by (y) the number of Investors A Units deemed held in the
Deferred Account multiplied by (z) the lesser of (i) the amount of cash or fair
market value of any property, as determined by the Management Committee of
Investors, received by holders of Investors A Units in exchange for an Investors
A Unit and (ii) the sum of the Unreturned Capital and Unpaid Preferred Return
(as such terms are defined in the Investors LLC Agreement) of an Investors A
Unit (assuming such Investors A Unit was issued on the Closing Date, as such
term is defined in the Executive's Management Stock Purchase and Unit
Subscription Agreement); it being understood and agreed that any distribution
made pursuant to this sentence shall, with respect to future distributions,
reduce the number of Investors A Units deemed held by the Deferred Account by
the percentage described in subclause (x) of this sentence.

      With respect to the Dairy A Units, Holdings shall credit Executive's
Deferred Account with any distributions made in respect of such Dairy A Units
pursuant to or in accordance with Sections 4.4(a)(ii) and 4.4(a)(iii) of the
Limited Liability Company Agreement of Dairy Holdings, dated April 10, 2001 (the
"Dairy Holdings LLC Agreement"). In the event Dairy Holdings distributes
non-cash property to holders of Dairy A Units pursuant to Sections 4.4(a)(ii) or
4.4(a)(iii) of the Dairy Holdings LLC Agreement, Holdings shall credit
Executive's Deferred Account in an amount equal to the fair market value of such
property, as determined by the Management Committee of Dairy Holdings.
Executive's Deferred Account shall not be credited with any distributions made
in respect of Dairy A Units pursuant to or in accordance with any subsections of
Section 4.4 of the Dairy Holdings LLC Agreement other than Sections 4.4(a)(ii)
and 4.4(a)(iii) thereof. In the event that Dairy A Units are sold by one or more
holders of Dairy A Units to a buyer unrelated on the date hereof to the holders
of Dairy A Units, Holdings shall credit Executive's Deferred Account with an
amount equal to the result of (x) the percentage of outstanding Dairy A Units
being purchased by an unrelated buyer (including, for purposes of this
percentage calculation, the number of Dairy A Units deemed held by the Deferred
Account and any other unfunded, unsecured nonqualified deferred compensation
arrangements similarly established to be deemed to hold Dairy A Units)
multiplied by (y) the number of Dairy A Units deemed held in the Deferred
Account multiplied by (z) the lesser of (i) the amount of cash or fair market
value of any property, as determined by the Management Committee of Dairy
Holdings, received by holders of Dairy A Units in exchange for a Dairy A Unit
and (ii) the sum of the Unreturned Capital and Unpaid Preferred Return (as such
terms are defined in the Dairy Holdings LLC Agreement) of a Dairy A Unit
(assuming such Dairy A Unit was issued on the Closing Date, as such term is
defined in the Dairy Unit Subscription Agreement, dated as of the date hereof,
between Dairy Holdings and the Executive (the "Dairy Unit Subscription
Agreement")); it being understood and agreed that any distribution made pursuant
to this sentence shall, with respect to future distributions, reduce the number
of Dairy A Units deemed held by the Deferred Account by the percentage described
in subclause (x) of this sentence.

      Executive shall receive from Holdings distributions from his Deferred
Account, in the amount indicated, upon the occurrence of the following events:
(i) upon a Change in Control,


                                      -10-
<PAGE>

Executive shall receive a total distribution of the amount then deemed held in
the Deferred Account; (ii) upon the tenth anniversary of the date hereof,
Executive shall receive a total distribution of the amount then deemed held in
the Deferred Account; (iii) upon the purchase by Investors of any of Executive's
Class B Units pursuant to Section 7.2 of the Executive's Management Stock
Purchase and Unit Subscription Agreement, Executive shall receive a distribution
from the Deferred Account equal to the result of (x) the percentage of
Executive's Class B Units being purchased by Investors multiplied by (y) the
number of Investors A Units deemed held in the Deferred Account multiplied by
(z) the lesser of (A) the fair market value of an Investors A Unit, as
determined by the Management Committee of Investors and (B) the sum of the
Unreturned Capital and Unpaid Preferred Return (as such terms are defined in the
Investors LLC Agreement) of an Investors A Unit (assuming such Investors A Unit
was issued on the Closing Date, as such term is defined in the Executive's
Management Stock Purchase and Unit Subscription Agreement); it being understood
and agreed that any distribution made pursuant to clause (iii) of this sentence
shall, with respect to future distributions, reduce the number of Investors A
Units deemed held by the Deferred Account by the percentage described in
subclause (x) of such clause (iii); and (iv) upon the purchase by Dairy Holdings
of any of Executive's Class B Units pursuant to Section 7.2 of the Executive's
Dairy Unit Subscription Agreement, Executive shall receive a distribution from
the Deferred Account equal to the result of (x) the percentage of Executive's
Class B Units being purchased by Dairy Holdings multiplied by (y) the number of
Dairy A Units deemed held in the Deferred Account multiplied by (z) the lesser
of (A) the fair market value of a Diary A Unit, as determined by the Management
Committee of Dairy Holdings and (B) the sum of the Unreturned Capital and Unpaid
Preferred Return (as such terms are defined in the Dairy Holdings LLC Agreement)
of a Dairy A Unit (assuming such Dairy A Unit was issued on the Closing Date, as
such term is defined in the Executive's Dairy Unit Subscription Agreement); it
being understood and agreed that any distribution made pursuant to clause (iv)
of this sentence shall, with respect to future distributions, reduce the number
of Dairy A Units deemed held by the Deferred Account by the percentage described
in subclause (x) of such clause (iv). The form of payment made with respect to
any of the foregoing distributions shall be a cash payment except that (1) in
the event of a Change in Control in which the consideration effecting such
Change in Control is non-cash consideration, such distribution may be made in
the form of such non-cash consideration, the fair market value of which shall be
determined by the Management Committee of Investors, and (2) in the event of a
distribution of the type described in clause (iii) or (iv) above, if, with
respect to Holdings, any of the Cash Deferral Conditions (as such term is
defined in the Executive's Management Stock Purchase and Unit Subscription
Agreement) exists, the portion of the cash payment so affected may be made by
the delivery of Holdings' unfunded and unsecured promise to pay Executive the
portion of the cash payment so affected in cash, together with interest, at the
first date on which the Cash Deferral Conditions no longer exist. The interest
on such delayed cash payment will accrue annually at the "prime rate" published
by The Wall Street Journal on the date Holdings delivers its unfunded and
unsecured promise.

            7. Non-exclusivity of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall
prevent or limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any plan,
program, policy or practice provided by the Company or any of its affiliated
companies and for which the Executive may qualify, nor shall


                                      -11-
<PAGE>

anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as the Executive may have
under any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated
companies. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is otherwise
entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of or any
contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated companies at or
subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with such
plan, policy, practice, program, contract or agreement except as explicitly
modified by this Agreement; provided that the Executive shall not be eligible
for severance benefits under any other program or policy of the Company.

            8. Full Settlement. The Company's obligation to make the payments
provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations
hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment,
defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against the
Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other
employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable
to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement, and such amounts
shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment. The
Company agrees to pay as incurred, to the full extent permitted by law, all
legal fees and expenses which the Executive may reasonably incur as a result of
any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) pursued or defended against in
good faith by the Executive regarding the validity or enforceability of, or
liability under, any provision of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance
thereof (including as a result of any contest by the Executive about the amount
of any payment pursuant to this Agreement), plus in each case interest on any
delayed payment at the applicable Federal rate provided for in Section
7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code.

            9. Certain Additional Payments by the Company.

      Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, this Section 9
shall be limited in its application solely to the change in ownership that will
occur as a result of the consummation of the transactions set forth in that
certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated December 21, 2000, by and among the
Company, Holdings, and Protein Acquisition Corp:

                  (a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding
and except as set forth below, in the event it shall be determined that any
payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive
(whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms
of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional
payments required under this Section 9) (a "Payment") would be subject to the
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are
incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax,
together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively
referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be entitled to
receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that
after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties
imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income
taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise
Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an


                                      -12-
<PAGE>

amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the
Payments. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Reduced Amount" shall mean
the greatest amount that could be paid to the Executive such that the receipt of
Payments would not give rise to any Excise Tax. Notwithstanding the foregoing
provisions of this Section 9(a), if it shall be determined that the Executive is
entitled to a Gross-Up Payment, but that the Payments do not exceed 120% of the
Reduced Amount, then no Gross-Up Payment shall be made to the Executive and the
Payments, in the aggregate, shall be reduced to the Reduced Amount.

                  (b) Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all
determinations required to be made under this Section 9, including whether and
when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and
the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made
by the Company's independent auditors or such other certified public accounting
firm reasonably acceptable to the Executive as may be designated by the Company
(the "Accounting Firm") which shall provide detailed supporting calculations
both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business days of the receipt of
notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as
is requested by the Company. All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall
be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to
this Section 9, shall be paid by the Company to the Executive not later than the
due date for the payment of any Excise Tax. Any determination by the Accounting
Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive. As a result of the
uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the
initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that
Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been
made ("Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be made
hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to
Section 9(c) and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any
Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment
that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the
Company to or for the benefit of the Executive.

                  (c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any
claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the
payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given
as soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after the Executive
is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature
of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The
Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period
following the date on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter
period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim
is due). If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the
expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive
shall:

                        (i) give the Company any information reasonably
      requested by the Company relating to such claim,

                        (ii) take such action in connection with contesting such
      claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to
      time, including, without


                                      -13-
<PAGE>

      limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by
      an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,

                        (iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order
      to effectively contest such claim, and

                        (iv) permit the Company to participate in any
      proceedings relating to such claim;

provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and
expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection
with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an
after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and
penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and
payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of
this Section 9(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection
with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all
administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing
authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct
the Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim
in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to
a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial
jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall
determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the Executive to pay
such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such
payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold
the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax
(including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to
such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance;
and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating
to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which
such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested
amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of the contest shall be limited to
issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and
the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any
other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing
authority.

                  (d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount
advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), the Executive becomes entitled
to receive any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall promptly
pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or
credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the
Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), a
determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund
with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in
writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration
of 30 days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and
shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset,
to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.


                                      -14-
<PAGE>

            10. Successors.

                  (a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without
the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the
Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's
legal representatives.

                  (b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.

                  (c) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume
expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same
extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession
had taken place. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as
hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as
aforesaid.

            11. Miscellaneous.

                  (a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota, without reference to
principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part of
the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may not
be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the
parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.

                  (b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered
or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as
follows:

                  If to the Executive:

                  Gregg A. Ostrander
                  21520 Fairview Street
                  Greenwood, Minnesota 55331


                                      -15-
<PAGE>

                  If to the Company:

                  Michael Foods, Inc.
                  324 Park National Bank Building
                  5353 Wayzata Boulevard
                  Minneapolis, Minnesota 55416
                  Telecopy Number: (612) 546-3711
                  Attention:  Secretary

                  with a copy to:

                  Vestar Capital Partners IV, L.P.
                  245 Park Avenue
                  41st Floor
                  New York, NY 10167
                  Attention: General Counsel

or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective
when actually received by the addressee.

                  (c) Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will
be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law,
but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any
jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect
any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement will be
reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid,
illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

                  (d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under
this Agreement such Federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be required
to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

                  (e) The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon
strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert
any right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including; without
limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate employment for Good Reason
pursuant to Section 3(c)(i)-(v) of this Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a
waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this
Agreement.

                  (f) From and after the Effective Date this Agreement shall
supersede any other employment agreement between the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof.


                                      -16-
<PAGE>

                  (g) Subject to the provisions of Section 3(d), there shall be
no limitation on the ability of the Company to terminate the Executive at any
time with or without Cause.

                                * * * * * * * * *


                                      -17-
<PAGE>

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's
hand and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company
has caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of
the day and year first above written.

                                          _____________________________
                                          Gregg A. Ostrander


                                          MICHAEL FOODS, INC.

                                          By:___________________________

                                          Title:________________________


                                          M-FOODS HOLDINGS, INC.

                                          By:___________________________

                                          Title:________________________