Sodexho Named Large Employer of the Year by Pike Area (Alabama) Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities

GAITHERSBURG, Md., November 9, 2007 -Sodexho, the nation's leading provider of integrated food and facilities management services, which includes service to more than 900 colleges and universities nationwide, was recently named Large Employer of the Year by the Pike Area (Alabama) Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities for its “outstanding willingness and performance in employment of persons with disabilities.”

Two Sodexho employees, who work at Troy University, were recognized: Robert Dansby, Sodexho landscaping specialist at Troy University, was honored as Employee of the Year for his ongoing contributions and commitment to the workplace. Jimmy D. Reynolds, Sodexho housekeeping manager, was received a certificate of appreciation for his support of employees with disabilities.

The awards were presented at a luncheon at Troy University that celebrated National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Nationally, Sodexho engages its 125,000 North America employees in a progressive working environment where all employees, customers, suppliers, and community partners feel welcome, valued, and respected, embracing differences as a collective competitive advantage. Sodexho employs 1,230 individuals in Alabama.

Sodexho weaves diversity and inclusion into the fabric of its daily operations, with innovative programs that are led and implemented from the highest executive ranks to the front lines of employees who provide service to more then ten million people every day. Diversity and inclusion is formalized at Sodexho through the Office of Diversity, the Diversity Leadership Council, the five affinity or Employee Network Groups, diverse supplier program and Diversity Councils. Sodexho's success in leveraging the strength of its diverse workforce is demonstrated through its many awards and recognition - more than 25 earned in 2007.

Sodexho, Inc. (www.sodexhoUSA.com) is the leading provider of integrated food and facilities management services in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with $7.3 billion (USD) in annual revenue and 125,000 employees. Sodexho serves more than ten million customers daily in corporations, health care, long term care and retirement centers, schools, college campuses, government and remote sites. Sodexho, Inc., headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., is a subsidiary of Sodexho Alliance (www.sodexho.com). Sodexho, Inc. funds the Sodexho Foundation (www.helpstophunger.org), an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $9.2 million in grants to fight hunger in America.