U.S. Foodservice put 54 of its drivers and warehouse selectors to the test over the weekend with a series of trials at the company's Third Annual National Driving Competition in San Antonio, Texas.

Representing the best of the best of U.S. Foodservice's 12,000 drivers and warehouse selectors from all around the country, competitors squared off in four categories Saturday to test their ability to safely navigate an obstacle course. Tractor-trailer drivers, "pup" tractor-trailer drivers, forklift material handlers and pallet jack handlers also demonstrated industry and safety knowledge through a written exam administered on Friday.

"Safety is the top priority for U.S. Foodservice, and that's why this event is so important to us," said Stuart Schuette, Chief Operating Officer for U.S. Foodservice. "We're pleased to have this opportunity to recognize the skills, talent and dedication that our drivers and warehouse workers use every day to serve our more than 250,000 customers across the United States."

U.S. Foodservice is one of the nation's largest food distributors to independent restaurants, schools, healthcare facilities and military installations.

Winners of the 2009 U.S. Foodservice National Driving Competition were honored during a banquet at the historic Empire Theater. First-place winners included:

* Tractor-trailer - Steve Berwald of Watertown, Minn., and U.S. Foodservice's Minneapolis division.
* Pup tractor-trailer - Kevin Merritt of Thayne, Wyo., and U.S. Foodservice's Salt Lake City division.
* Forklift material handler - Clint Wood of Roy, Utah, and U.S. Foodservice's Salt Lake City division.
* Pallet jack handler - Victor Orozco of Omaha, Neb., and of U.S. Foodservice's Omaha division.

First-place winners each received a $2,000 prize.

"We're exceptionally proud of these talented individuals," Schuette said.

Second through fifth places were also recognized in each category. Those winners, in that order, were:

* Tractor-trailer - Clifford Manning of Columbia, S.C.; Chris Kriwer of Pasadena, Md.; Todd Baker of Lakeland, Fla.; Cluett Wallace of Deerfield Beach, Fla.
* Pup tractor-trailer - Daniel Ryan of Las Vegas; Rendon Morris of Lake City, S.C.; Dewayne Allen of Maryville, Tenn.; Mike Williams of Lakeland, Fla.
* Forklift material handler - Jim Barbeau of Somersworth, N.H.; Brian Snead of Valrico, Fla.; Jim Haugen of Grand Forks, N.D.; Jerome Reeves of Charlotte, N.C.
* Pallet jack handler - Kenneth Simmons of Willard, Utah; Ron Hall of Streator, Ill.; Kiron Griffon of Jonesboro, Ga.; Eric Wright of Columbia, S.C.

About U.S. Foodservice

U.S. Foodservice is one of the country's premier foodservice distributors, offering more than 43,000 national, private label and signature brand items and an array of services to its more than 250,000 customers. The company proudly employs 26,000 associates in more than 60 locations nationwide who are poised to serve customers beyond their expectations. As industry leaders, with access to resources beyond the ordinary, U.S. Foodservice provides the finest quality food and related products to neighborhood restaurants, hospitals, schools, colleges and universities, hotels, government entities and other eating establishments. To find out how U.S.

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