Concentrations of credit risk
The Company’s credit risk is diversified across a broad range of customers and geographic regions. Losses due to credit risk have been immaterial. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and other receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair market value due to the short maturity of these instruments.

Business segment
The Company and its subsidiaries operate in one business segment - the processing and/or distributing of refrigerated, frozen and snack food products.

Fiscal year
The Company maintains its accounting records on a 52-53 week fiscal basis. Fiscal year 2000 included 53 weeks. Fiscal years 1999 and 1998 include 52 weeks each.

Revenues
Revenues are recognized upon passage of title to the customer typically upon product shipment or delivery to customers.

Cash equivalents
The Company considers all investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents include treasury bills of $18,179,000 at November 3, 2000 and $24,980,000 at October 29, 1999.

Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (determined on a first-in, first-out basis) or market.

Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Major renewals and betterments are charged to the asset accounts while the cost of maintenance and repairs is charged to income as incurred. When assets are sold or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and the resulting gain or loss is credited or charged to income. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line basis over 10 to 20 years for buildings and improvements, 5 to 10 years for machinery and equipment and 3 to 5 years for transportation equipment.

Income taxes
Deferred taxes are provided for items whose financial and tax bases differ. A valuation allowance is provided against deferred tax assets when it is expected that it is more likely than not, that the related asset will not be fully realized.

Stock-based compensation
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS No. 123), “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” encourages, but does not require, companies to record compensation cost for stock-based employee compensation plans based on the fair market value of options granted. The Company has chosen to account for stock based compensation using the intrinsic value method prescribed in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations. Accordingly, compensation for stock options is measured as the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the Company’s stock price at the date of grant as determined by the Board of Directors over the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock.

Basic and diluted earnings per share
Basic earnings per share is calculated based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding for all periods presented. Diluted earnings per share is calculated based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding plus shares issuable on conversion or exercise of all potentially dilutive securities.

NOTE 2 - COMPOSITION OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL STATEMENT CAPTIONS: