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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.17


MASTER SECURITY AGREEMENT
dated as of March 17, 1999 ("Agreement")

         THIS AGREEMENT is between General Electric Capital Corporation
(together with its successors and assigns, if any, "Secured Party"), and UNITED
FOODS, INC. ("Debtor"). Secured Party has an office at 1000 Windward Concourse
Suite 403, Alpharetta, GA 30005. Debtor is a corporation organized and existing
under the laws of the state of Delaware. Debtor's mailing address and chief
place of business is Ten Pictsweet Drive, Bells, TN, 38006.

RECITALS

         AGREEMENT TO LEND. Secured Party hereby agrees to make loans to Debtor
in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth herein, in the aggregate
principal amount of up to Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00) (the "Loan"). The
proceeds of the Loan shall be used by Debtor to finance the purchase of certain
personal property consisting of rolling stock, including cars, light trucks,
heavy trucks, forklifts, tractors, farm machinery, earth movers, trailers,
compost turners and harvesters (the "Equipment") and to refinance certain
Equipment purchased prior to the date hereof.

         Debtor shall repay the Loan in accordance with the terms of certain
Promissory Notes (each a "Note" and collectively the "Notes") executed by Debtor
upon receipt of an advance under the Loan. The term of each Note shall be for a
period not to exceed eight-four (84) months for purchases of new Equipment,
depending upon the type of Equipment purchased with the funds advanced under
that Note. Notes evidencing Loan proceeds used to refinance Equipment purchased
by Debtor prior to the date hereof shall have a term mutually agreeable to
Secured Party and Debtor. Each Note shall bear interest at a fixed rate equal to
the sum of (i) Two and Twenty-Five One Hundredths Percent (2.25%) per annum plus
(ii) a per annum interest rate listed for U.S. Treasuries with the same
scheduled maturities as said Note in the "Treasury Bond, Notes & Bills" column
of the Wall Street Journal, Eastern Edition, published as of the fifth (5th)
Business Day (any day other than a day on which commercial banks in the City of
New York are required or authorized to be closed) preceding the date of said
Note. Debtor may prepay in full or in part, its Remaining Indebtedness under a
Note upon a payment of an additional sum as a premium equal to the following
percentages for the indicated period: (a) two percent (2%) prior to the first
annual anniversary date of said Note; (b) one percent (1%) thereafter and prior
to the second annual anniversary date of said Note; and (c) zero percent (-0-%)
thereafter. The Remaining Indebtedness shall mean the outstanding principal
balance under said note calculated on a simple interest per annum basis at the
contract rate.

         Secured Party's commitment to make advances under the Loan shall expire
one year from the date hereof and is subject to Debtor's compliance with all its
obligations under this Agreement and the Notes; provided however, that Secured
Party may extend the term and aggregate principal amount of the Loan thereafter
subject to (i) Secured Party's investment and credit approval process; and (ii)
subsequent execution of all documentation in the form and substance satisfactory
to Secured Party and Debtor.


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1.       CREATION OF SECURITY INTEREST.

         Debtor grants to Secured Party, its successors and assigns, a security
interest in and against all property listed on any collateral schedule now or in
the future annexed to or made a part of this Agreement ("Collateral Schedule"),
and in and against all additions, attachments, accessories and accessions to
such property, all substitutions, replacements or exchanges therefor, and all
insurance and/or other proceeds thereof (all such property is individually and
collectively called the "Collateral"). This security interest is given to secure
the payment and performance of all debts, obligations and liabilities of any
kind whatsoever of Debtor to Secured Party, now existing or arising in the
future, including but not limited to the payment and performance of certain
Promissory Notes from time to time identified on any Collateral Schedule
(collectively "Notes" and each a "Note"), and any renewals, extensions and
modifications of such debts, obligations and liabilities thereof (such Notes,
debts, obligations and liabilities are called the "Indebtedness").
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, to the
extent that Secured Party asserts a purchase money security interest in any
items of Collateral ("PMSI Collateral"): (i) the PMSI Collateral shall secure
only that portion of the Indebtedness which has been advanced by Secured Party
to enable Debtor to purchase, or acquire rights in or the use of such PMSI
Collateral (the "PMSI Indebtedness"), and (ii) no other Collateral shall secure
the PMSI Indebtedness.

2.       REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF DEBTOR.

         Debtor represents, warrants and covenants as of the date of this
Agreement and as of the date of each Collateral Schedule that:

         (a) Debtor is, and will remain, duly organized, existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State set forth in the preamble of this
Agreement, has its chief executive offices at the location specified in the
preamble, and is, and will remain, duly qualified and licensed in every
jurisdiction wherever necessary to carry on its business and operations;

         (b) Debtor has adequate power and capacity to enter into, and to
perform its obligations under this Agreement, each Note and any other documents
evidencing, or given in connection with, any of the Indebtedness (all of the
foregoing are called the "Debt Documents");

         (c) This Agreement and the other Debt Documents have been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by Debtor and constitute legal, valid and
binding agreements enforceable in accordance with their terms, except to the
extent that the enforcement of remedies may be limited under applicable
bankruptcy and insolvency laws;

         (d) No approval, consent or withholding of objections is required from
any governmental authority or instrumentality with respect to the entry into, or
performance by Debtor of any of the Debt Documents, except any already obtained;


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         (e) The entry into, and performance by, Debtor of the Debt Documents
will not (i) violate any of the organizational documents of Debtor or any
judgment, order, law or regulation applicable to Debtor, or (ii) result in any
breach of or constitute a default under any contract to which Debtor is a party,
or result in the creation of any lien, claim or encumbrance on any of Debtor's
property (except for liens in favor of Secured Party) pursuant to any indenture,
mortgage, deed of trust, bank loan, credit agreement, or other agreement or
instrument to which Debtor is a party;

         (f) Except as disclosed to Secured Party, there are no suits or
proceedings pending in court or before any commission, board or other
administrative agency against or affecting Debtor which could, in the aggregate,
have a material adverse effect on Debtor, its business or operations, or its
ability to perform its obligations under the Debt Documents, nor does Debtor
have reason to believe that any such suits or proceedings are threatened;

         (g) All financial statements delivered to Secured Party in connection
with the Indebtedness have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, and since the date of the most recent financial
statement, there has been no material adverse change in Debtors financial
condition;

         (h) The Collateral is not, and will not be, used by Debtor for
personal, family or household purposes;

         (i) The Collateral is, and will remain, in good condition and repair
and Debtor will not be negligent in its care and use;

         (j) Debtor is, and will remain, the sole and lawful owner, and in
possession of, the Collateral, and has the sole right and lawful authority to
grant the security interest described in this Agreement; and

         (k) The Collateral is, and will remain, free and clear of all liens,
claims and encumbrances of any kind whatsoever, except for (i) liens in favor of
Secured Party, (ii) liens for taxes not yet due or for taxes being contested in
good faith and which do not involve, in the judgment of Secured Party, any risk
of the sale, forfeiture or loss of any of the Collateral, and (iii) inchoate
materialmen's, mechanic's, repairmen's and similar liens arising by operation of
law in the normal course of business for amounts which are not delinquent (all
of such liens are called "Permitted Liens").

3.       COLLATERAL.

         (a) Until the declaration of any default, Debtor shall remain in
possession of the Collateral; except that Secured Party shall have the right to
possess (i) any chattel paper or instrument that constitutes a part of the
Collateral, and (ii) any other Collateral in which Secured Party's security
interest may be perfected only by possession. Secured Party may inspect any of
the Collateral during normal business hours after giving Debtor reasonable prior
notice. If Secured Party asks, Debtor will promptly notify Secured Party in
writing of the location of any Collateral.


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         (b) Debtor shall (i) use the Collateral only in its trade or business,
(ii) maintain all of the Collateral in good operating order and repair, normal
wear and tear excepted, (iii) use and maintain the Collateral only in compliance
with manufacturers recommendations and all applicable laws, and (iv) keep all of
the Collateral free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances (except for
Permitted Liens).

         (c) Debtor shall not, without the prior written consent of Secured
Party, (i) part with possession of any of the Collateral (except to Secured
Party or for maintenance and repair), (ii) remove any of the Collateral from the
continental United States, or (iii) sell, rent, lease, mortgage, grant a
security interest in or otherwise transfer or encumber (except for Permitted
Liens) any of the Collateral.

         (d) Debtor shall pay promptly when due all taxes, license fees,
assessments and public and private charges levied or assessed on any of the
Collateral, on its use, or on this Agreement or any of the other Debt Documents
except to the extent such taxes, fees, assessment or charges are Permitted
Lines. At its option, Secured Party may discharge taxes, liens, security
interests or other encumbrances at any time levied or placed on the Collateral
and may pay for the maintenance, insurance and preservation of the Collateral
and effect compliance with the terms of this Agreement or any of the other Debt
Documents. Debtor agrees to reimburse Secured Party, on demand, all costs and
expenses incurred by Secured Party in connection with such payment or
performance and agrees that such reimbursement obligation shall constitute
Indebtedness.

         (e) Debtor shall, at all times, keep accurate and complete records of
the Collateral, and Secured Party shall have the right to inspect and make
copies of all of Debtor's books and records relating to the Collateral during
normal business hours, after giving Debtor reasonable prior notice.

         (f) Debtor agrees and acknowledges that any third person who may at any
time possess all or any portion of the Collateral shall be deemed to hold, and
shall hold, the Collateral as the agent of, and as pledge holder for, Secured
Party. Secured Party may at any time give notice to any third person described
in the preceding sentence that such third person is holding the Collateral as
the agent of, and as pledge holder for, the Secured Party.

4.       INSURANCE.

         (a) Debtor shall at all times bear the entire risk of any loss, theft,
damage to, or destruction of, any of the Collateral from any cause whatsoever.

         (b) Debtor agrees to keep the Collateral insured against loss or damage
by fire and extended coverage perils, theft, burglary, and for any or all
Collateral which are vehicles, for risk of loss by collision, and if requested
by Secured Party, against such other risks as Secured Party may reasonably
require. Such insurance shall be provided by self-insurance or third party
providers acceptable to Secured Party. The insurance coverage shall be in an
amount no less than 

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the full replacement value of the Collateral, and deductible amounts, insurers
and policies shall be acceptable to Secured Party. Debtor shall deliver to
Secured Party policies or certificates of insurance evidencing such coverage.
Each policy shall name Secured Party as a loss payee, shall provide for coverage
to Secured Party regardless of the breach by Debtor of any warranty or
representation made therein, shall not be subject to co-insurance, and shall
provide that coverage may not be canceled or altered by the insurer except upon
thirty (30) days prior written notice to Secured Party. Debtor appoints Secured
Party as its attorney-in-fact to make proof of loss, claim for insurance and
adjustments with insurers, and to receive payment of and execute or endorse all
documents, checks or drafts in connection with insurance payments. Secured Party
shall not act as Debtors attorney-in-fact unless Debtor is in default. Proceeds
of insurance shall be applied, at the option of Secured Party, to repair or
replace the Collateral or to reduce any of the Indebtedness.

5.       REPORTS.

         (a) Debtor shall promptly notify Secured Party of (i) any change in the
name of Debtor, (ii) any relocation of its chief executive offices, (iii) any
relocation of any of the Collateral, (iv) any of the Collateral being lost,
stolen, missing, destroyed, materially damaged or worn out, or (v) any lien,
claim or encumbrance other than Permitted Liens attaching to or being made
against any of the Collateral.

         (b) Debtor will deliver to Secured Party Debtors complete financial
statements, certified by a recognized firm of certified public accountants,
within ninety (90) days of the close of each fiscal year of Debtor. If Secured
Party requests, Debtor will deliver to Secured Party copies of Debtors quarterly
financial reports certified by Debtors chief financial officer, within ninety
(90) days after the close of each of Debtors fiscal quarter. Debtor will deliver
to Secured Party copies of all Forms 10-K and 10-Q, if any, within 30 days after
the dates on which they are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

6.       FURTHER ASSURANCES.

         (a) Debtor shall, upon request of Secured Party, furnish to Secured
Party such further information, execute and deliver to Secured Party such
documents and instruments (including, without limitation, Uniform Commercial
Code financing statements) and shall do such other acts and things as Secured
Party may at any time reasonably request relating to the perfection or
protection of the security interest created by this Agreement or for the purpose
of carrying out the intent of this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing,
Debtor shall cooperate and do all acts deemed necessary or advisable by Secured
Party to continue in Secured Party a perfected first security interest in the
Collateral, and shall obtain and furnish to Secured Party any subordinations,
releases, landlord, lessor, or mortgagee waivers, and similar documents as may
be from time to time requested by, and in form and substance satisfactory to,
Secured Party.


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         (b) Debtor irrevocably grants to Secured Party the power to sign
Debtor's name and generally to act on behalf of Debtor to execute and file
applications for title, transfers of title, financing statements, notices of
lien and other documents pertaining to any or all of the Collateral; this power
is coupled with Secured Party's interest in the Collateral. Debtor shall, if any
certificate of title be required or permitted by law for any of the Collateral,
obtain and promptly deliver to Secured Party such certificate showing the lien
of this Agreement with respect to the Collateral.

         (c) Debtor shall indemnify and defend the Secured Party, its successors
and assigns, and their respective directors, officers and employees, from and
against all claims, actions and suits (including, without limitation, related
attorneys' fees) of any kind whatsoever arising, directly or indirectly, in
connection with any of the Collateral.

7.       DEFAULT AND REMEDIES.

         (a) Debtor shall be in default under this Agreement and each of the
other Debt Documents if:

                  (i) Debtor breaches its obligation to pay when due any
installment or other amount due or coming due under any of the Debt Documents,
and such breach is not cured within ten (10) days notice thereof;

                  (ii) Debtor, without the prior written consent of Secured
Party, attempts to or does sell, rent, lease, mortgage, grant a security
interest in, or otherwise transfer or encumber (except for Permitted Liens) any
of the Collateral;

                  (iii) Debtor breaches any of its insurance obligations under
Section 4;

                  (iv) Debtor breaches any of its other obligations under any of
the Debt Documents and fails to cure that breach within thirty (30) days after
written notice from Secured Party;

                  (v) Any warranty, representation or statement made by Debtor
in any of the Debt Documents or otherwise in connection with any of the
Indebtedness shall be false or misleading in any material respect;

                  (vi) Any of the Collateral is subjected to attachment,
execution, levy, seizure or confiscation in any legal proceeding or otherwise,
or if any legal or administrative proceeding is commenced against Debtor or any
of the Collateral, which in the good faith judgment of Secured Party subjects
any of the Collateral to a material risk of attachment, execution, levy, seizure
or confiscation and no bond is posted or protective order obtained to negate
such risk;

                  (vii) Debtor breaches or is in default under any other
agreement between Debtor and Secured Party;


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                  (viii) Debtor or any guarantor or other obligor for any of the
Indebtedness (collectively "Guarantor") dissolves, terminates its existence,
becomes insolvent or ceases to do business as a going concern;

                  (ix) If Debtor or any Guarantor is a natural person, Debtor or
any such Guarantor dies or becomes incompetent;

                  (x) A receiver is appointed for all or of any part of the
property of Debtor or any Guarantor, or Debtor or any Guarantor makes any
assignment for the benefit of creditors; or

                  (xi) Debtor or any Guarantor files a petition under any
bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law, or any such petition is filed against
Debtor or any Guarantor and is not dismissed within sixty (60) forty-five (45)
days.

         (b) If Debtor is in default, the Secured Party, at its option, may
declare any or all of the Indebtedness to be immediately due and payable,
without demand or notice to Debtor or any Guarantor. The accelerated obligations
and liabilities shall bear interest (both before and after any judgment) until
paid in full at the lower of eighteen percent (18%) per annum or the maximum
rate not prohibited by applicable law.

         (c) After default, Secured Party shall have all of the rights and
remedies of a Secured Party under the Uniform Commercial Code, and under any
other applicable law. Without limiting the foregoing, Secured Party shall have
the right to (i) notify any account debtor of Debtor or any obligor on any
instrument which constitutes part of the Collateral to make payment to the
Secured Party, (ii) with or without legal process, enter any premises where the
Collateral may be and take possession of and remove the Collateral from the
premises or store it on the premises, (iii) sell the Collateral at public or
private sale, in whole or in part, and have the right to bid and purchase at
said sale, or (iv) lease or otherwise dispose of all or part of the Collateral,
applying proceeds from such disposition to the obligations then in default. If
requested by Secured Party, Debtor shall promptly assemble the Collateral and
make it available to Secured Party at a place to be designated by Secured Party
which is reasonably convenient to both parties. Secured Party may also render
any or all of the Collateral unusable at the Debtor's premises and may dispose
of such Collateral on such premises without liability for rent or costs. Any
notice that Secured Party is required to give to Debtor under the Uniform
Commercial Code of the time and place of any public sale or the time after which
any private sale or other intended disposition of the Collateral is to be made
shall be deemed to constitute reasonable notice if such notice is given to the
last known address of Debtor at least five (5) days prior to such action.

         (d) Proceeds from any sale or lease or other disposition shall be
applied: first, to all costs of repossession, storage, and disposition including
without limitation attorneys', appraisers', and auctioneers' fees; second, to
discharge the obligations then in default; third, to discharge any other
Indebtedness of Debtor to Secured Party, whether as obligor, endorser,
guarantor, surety or indemnitor; fourth, to expenses incurred in paying or
settling liens and claims against the Collateral; and lastly, to Debtor, if
there exists any surplus. Debtor shall remain fully liable for any deficiency.

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         (e) Debtor agrees to pay all reasonable attorneys' fees and other costs
incurred by Secured Party in connection with the enforcement, assertion, defense
or preservation of Secured Party's rights and remedies under this Agreement, or
if prohibited by law, such lesser sum as may be permitted. Debtor further agrees
that such fees and costs shall constitute Indebtedness.

         (f) Secured Party's rights and remedies under this Agreement or
otherwise arising are cumulative and may be exercised singularly or
concurrently. Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of the Secured Party
to exercise any right, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as
a waiver, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or
privilege preclude any other or further exercise of that or any other right,
power or privilege. SECURED PARTY SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO HAVE WAIVED ANY OF ITS
RIGHTS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR UNDER ANY OTHER AGREEMENT, INSTRUMENT OR PAPER
SIGNED BY DEBTOR UNLESS SUCH WAIVER IS EXPRESSED IN WRITING AND SIGNED BY
SECURED PARTY. A waiver on any one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to
or waiver of any right or remedy on any future occasion.

         (g) DEBTOR AND SECURED PARTY UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE THEIR RIGHTS TO A
JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS
AGREEMENT, ANY OF THE OTHER DEBT DOCUMENTS, ANY OF THE INDEBTEDNESS SECURED
HEREBY, ANY DEALINGS BETWEEN DEBTOR AND SECURED PARTY RELATING TO THE SUBJECT
MATTER OF THIS TRANSACTION OR ANY RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND/OR THE RELATIONSHIP
THAT IS BEING ESTABLISHED BETWEEN DEBTOR AND SECURED PARTY. THE SCOPE OF THIS
WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE ALL ENCOMPASSING OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MAY BE
FILED IN ANY COURT. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE. THIS WAIVER MAY NOT BE MODIFIED
EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING. THE WAIVER ALSO SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT
AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER
DEBT DOCUMENTS, OR TO ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS OR AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THIS
TRANSACTION OR ANY RELATED TRANSACTION. THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN
CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.

8.       MISCELLANEOUS.

         (a) This Agreement, any Note and/or any of the other Debt Documents may
be assigned, in whole or in part, by Secured Party without notice to Debtor, and
Debtor agrees not to assert against any such assignee, or assignee's assigns,
any defense, set-off, recoupment claim or counterclaim which Debtor has or may
at any time have against Secured Party for any reason whatsoever. Debtor agrees
that if Debtor receives written notice of an assignment from Secured Party,
Debtor will pay all amounts payable under any assigned Debt Documents to such
assignee or as instructed by Secured Party. Debtor also agrees to confirm in
writing receipt of the notice of assignment as may be reasonably requested by
assignee.


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         (b) All notices to be given in connection with this Agreement shall be
in writing, shall be addressed to the parties at their respective addresses set
forth in this Agreement (unless and until a different address may be specified
in a written notice to the other party), and shall be deemed given (i) on the
date of receipt if delivered in hand or by facsimile transmission, (ii) on the
next business day after being sent by express mail, and (iii) on the fourth
business day after being sent by regular, registered or certified mail. As used
herein, the term "business day" shall mean and include any day other than
Saturdays, Sundays, or other days on which commercial banks in New York, New
York are required or authorized to be closed.

         (c) Secured Party may correct patent errors and fill in all blanks in
this Agreement or in any Collateral Schedule consistent with the agreement of
the parties.

         (d) Time is of the essence of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be
binding, jointly and severally, upon all parties described as the "Debtor" and
their respective heirs, executors, representatives, successors and assigns, and
shall inure to the benefit of Secured Party, its successors and assigns.

         (e) This Agreement and its Collateral Schedules constitute the entire
agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this
Agreement and supersede all prior understandings (whether written, verbal or
implied) with respect to such subject matter. THIS AGREEMENT AND ITS COLLATERAL
SCHEDULES SHALL NOT BE CHANGED OR TERMINATED ORALLY OR BY COURSE OF CONDUCT, BUT
ONLY BY A WRITING SIGNED BY BOTH PARTIES. Section headings contained in this
Agreement have been included for convenience only, and shall not affect the
construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

         (f) This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until all of
the Indebtedness has been indefeasibly paid in full to Secured Party. The
surrender, upon payment or otherwise, of any Note or any of the other documents
evidencing any of the Indebtedness shall not affect the right of Secured Party
to retain the Collateral for such other Indebtedness as may then exist or as it
may be reasonably contemplated will exist in the future. This Agreement shall
automatically be reinstated if Secured Party is ever required to return or
restore the payment of all or any portion of the Indebtedness (all as though
such payment had never been made).

         (g) THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES
HEREUNDER SHALL IN ALL RESPECTS BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH,
THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT (WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF
LAWS PRINCIPLES OF SUCH STATE), INCLUDING ALL MATTERS OF CONSTRUCTION, VALIDITY
AND PERFORMANCE, REGARDLESS OF THE LOCATION OF THE EQUIPMENT.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Debtor and Secured Party, intending to be legally
bound hereby, have duly executed this Agreement in one or more counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed to be an original, as of the day and year first
aforesaid.

SECURED PARTY:                              DEBTOR:

General Electric Capital Corporation        UNITED FOODS, INC.

By: /s/ Mike Caruso                         By: /s/ Carl W. Gruenewald, II

Name: Mike Caruso                           Name:  Carl W. Gruenewald, II

Title: Sr. Risk Analyst                     Title: Senior Vice President, CFO, 
                                            Treasurer

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