Ruddick Corporation (NYSE: RDK) today reported that its Board of Directors, at a regularly scheduled meeting, declared a quarterly dividend in the amount of $0.12 per share to be paid on January 1, 2010, to shareholders of record on December 11, 2009.

Ruddick Corporation is a holding company with two primary operating subsidiaries: Harris Teeter, Inc., a leading regional supermarket chain with operations in eight states primarily in the southeastern and mid-Atlantic United States, including the District of Columbia, and American & Efird, Inc., one of the world''s largest global manufacturers and distributors of industrial sewing thread, embroidery thread and technical textiles.

Contacts:

Ruddick Corporation
John B. Woodlief
Vice President – Finance and Chief Financial Officer
704-372-5404