<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23.1
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>h83402ex23-1.txt
<DESCRIPTION>CONSENT OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
<TEXT>

<PAGE>   1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference into this Registration Statement of our report dated August 2, 2000
included in SYSCO Corporation's Form 10-K for the year ended July 1, 2000 and to
all references to our firm included in this Registration Statement.

                                            /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Arthur Andersen LLP

Houston, Texas
January 31, 2001
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
