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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549-1004
FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2004

OR

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-4065-1

LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

OHIO 13-1955943
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)

37 WEST BROAD STREET 43215
COLUMBUS, OHIO (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)

614-224-7141
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
NONE

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:

TITLE OF EACH CLASS
-------------------
Common Stock-No Par Value Per Share
(Including Series A Participating Preferred Stock Purchase Rights)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [X]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as
defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes [X] No [ ]

The aggregate market value of Common Stock held by non-affiliates on
December 31, 2003 was approximately $1,218,551,000, based on the closing price
of these shares on that day.

As of August 31, 2004, there were approximately 35,301,000 shares of
Common Stock, no par value per share, outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed for
its 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part
III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The 2004 Definitive Proxy Statement
shall be deemed to have been "filed" only to the extent portions thereof are
expressly incorporated by reference.

EXHIBIT INDEX LOCATED IN PART IV OF THIS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K.

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LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS



PART I
Item 1. Business
Item 2. Properties
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Supplementary Item. Executive Officers of the Registrant

PART II
Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Stock, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of
Equity Securities
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K
Signatures
Index to Exhibits


2


PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

GENERAL

Lancaster Colony Corporation, an Ohio corporation, is a diversified
manufacturer and marketer of consumer products including Specialty Foods for the
retail and foodservice markets; Glassware and Candles for the retail,
industrial, floral and foodservice markets; and Automotive accessories for the
original equipment market and aftermarket. Our principal executive offices are
located at 37 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215 and our telephone number
is 614/224-7141.

As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and except as the context
otherwise may require, the terms "we," "us," "our," "registrant," or "the
Company" means Lancaster Colony Corporation and all entities owned or controlled
by Lancaster Colony Corporation except where it is clear that the term only
means the parent company.

Current and periodic reports are available at the Company Web site
(www.lancastercolony.com) free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after
such material is electronically filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

DESCRIPTION OF AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT BUSINESS SEGMENTS

We operate in three business segments - "Specialty Foods," "Glassware and
Candles" and "Automotive" - which accounted for approximately 58%, 21% and 21%,
respectively, of consolidated net sales for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004.
The financial information relating to business segments for each of the three
years in the period ended June 30, 2004 is included in Note 15 to the
consolidated financial statements, which is included in Part II, Item 8 of this
Form 10-K. Further description of each business segment within which we operate
is provided below:

SPECIALTY FOODS

The food products we manufacture and sell include salad dressings and
sauces marketed under the brand names "Marzetti," "T. Marzetti's," "Cardini's,"
"Pfeiffer" and "Girard's"; fruit glazes, vegetable dips and fruit dips marketed
under the brand name "T. Marzetti's"; frozen unbaked pies marketed under the
brand name "Mountain Top"; frozen hearth-baked breads marketed under the brand
names "New York Brand" and "Mamma Bella"; frozen Parker House style yeast dinner
rolls and sweet rolls marketed under the brand name "Sister Schubert's"; premium
dry egg noodles marketed under the brand names "Inn Maid" and "Amish Kitchen";
frozen specialty noodles and pastas marketed under the brand names "Reames" and
"Aunt Vi's"; croutons and related products marketed under the brand names
"Chatham Village" and "T. Marzetti's" and caviar marketed under the brand name
"Romanoff." A portion of our sales in this segment is sold under private label
to retailers, distributors and restaurants primarily in the United States.
Additionally, a portion of our sales relates to frozen specialty noodles and
pastas sold to industrial customers for use as ingredients in their products.

A significant portion of this segment's product lines is manufactured by
our 14 plants located throughout the United States. Certain items are
manufactured and packaged by third parties located in the United States, Canada
and England under contractual agreements established by us.

The dressings, sauces, croutons, fruit glazes, vegetable dips, fruit dips,
frozen hearth-baked breads and yeast rolls are sold primarily through sales
personnel, food brokers and distributors in various metropolitan areas in the
United States with sales being made to retail, club stores and foodservice
markets.

The dry egg noodles and frozen specialty noodles are sold through sales
personnel, food brokers and distributors to retail markets principally in the
central and midwestern United States.

Sales attributable to one customer comprised approximately 10% and 13% of
this segment's total net sales in the current year and prior year, respectively.
No other customer accounted for more than 10% of this segment's total net sales.
Although we have the leading market share in several product categories, all of
the

3


markets in which we sell food products are highly competitive in the areas of
price, quality and customer service.

The operations of this segment are not affected to any material extent by
seasonal fluctuations. We do not utilize any franchises or concessions in this
business segment. The trademarks which we utilize are significant to the overall
success of this segment. However, the patents and licenses under which we
operate are not essential to the overall success of this segment.

GLASSWARE AND CANDLES

Candles, candle accessories, and other home fragrance products in a
variety of sizes, forms and fragrance are primarily sold to the mass merchandise
markets as well as to supermarkets, drug stores and specialty shops under the
"Candle-lite" brand name. A portion of our candle business is marketed under
private label.

Glass products include a broad range of machine pressed and machine blown
consumer glassware and industrial glass products such as security and interior
warehouse lighting components, cathode ray tubes and lenses.

Consumer glassware includes a diverse line of decorative and ornamental
products such as tumblers, bowls, pitchers, jars, barware, and candle
accessories. These products are marketed under a variety of trademarks, the most
important of which are "Indiana Glass," "Colony" and "Fostoria."

Glass vases and containers are sold to both the retail and wholesale
floral markets under the brand names "Brody" and "Indiana Glass" as well as
under private label.

Our glass products are sold to discount, department, variety, drug stores
and specialty shops, as well as to wholesalers. Commercial markets such as
foodservice, hotels, hospitals and schools are also served by this segment's
products.

All the markets in which we sell houseware products are highly competitive
in the areas of design, price, quality and customer service. Sales attributable
to one customer comprised approximately 26% and 21% of this segment's total net
sales in the current year and prior year, respectively. No other customer
accounted for more than 10% of this segment's total net sales.

Seasonal retail stocking patterns cause certain of this segment's products
to experience increased sales in the first half of the fiscal year. We do not
use any franchises or concessions in this segment. The patents and licenses
under which we operate are not essential to the overall success of this segment.
However, certain trademarks are important to this segment's marketing efforts.

AUTOMOTIVE

We manufacture and sell a complete line of rubber, vinyl and carpeted
floor mats to both original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket retailers.
Other products include pickup truck bed mats; running boards; tube steps;
toolboxes and other accessories for pickup trucks, vans and sport utility
vehicles; heavy-duty truck and trailer splash guards and quarter fenders; and
accessories such as cup holders, litter caddies and floor consoles. The
automotive aftermarket products are marketed primarily through mass
merchandisers and automotive outlets. Floor mats are marketed under the brand
name "Rubber Queen," bed mats under the "Protecta" trademark, and aluminum
accessories and running boards under the "Dee Zee" brand name. These products
are also subject to marketing under private labels. The aggregate sales to three
customers accounted for approximately 31% of this segment's total net sales
during fiscal 2004. In fiscal 2003, three customers accounted for 44% of this
segment's total net sales. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of this
segment's total net sales. Although we are a market leader in many of our
product lines, all the markets in which we sell automotive products are highly
competitive in the areas of design, price, quality and customer service.

The operations of this segment are not affected to any material extent by
seasonal fluctuations. We do not utilize any significant franchises or
concessions in this segment. The patents and licenses under which we operate are
generally not essential to the overall success of this segment. However, certain
trademarks are valuable to the segment's marketing efforts.

4


NET SALES BY CLASS OF PRODUCTS

The following table sets forth business segment information with respect
to the percentage of net sales contributed by each class of similar products
which account for at least 10% of our consolidated net sales in any fiscal year
from 2002 through 2004:



2004 2003 2002
---- ---- ----

Specialty Foods:
Retail............................................................... 30% 29% 27%
Foodservice.......................................................... 28% 26% 24%

Glassware and Candles:
Consumer Table and Giftware.......................................... 17% 19% 24%

Automotive:
Original Equipment Manufacturers..................................... 14% 15% 13%


Net sales attributable to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. totaled approximately 12%,
12% and 13% of consolidated net sales for fiscal years 2004, 2003 and 2002,
respectively.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The estimated amount spent during each of the last three fiscal years on
research and development activities determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles is not considered material.

BACKLOG

The nature of our backlog varies by segment. Orders in our Specialty Foods
segment are generally filled in three to seven days following the receipt of the
order. In our Glassware and Candles segment, certain orders are received in a
highly seasonal manner, and the timing of the receipt of several large customer
orders can materially impact the amount of the backlog at any point in time
without being an indication of longer-term sales. In the aftermarket sector of
our Automotive segment, orders are generally filled within four to six weeks
following the receipt of the order. In the OEM sector of our Automotive segment,
orders are generally filled within four to eight weeks. Also, our Automotive
segment backlog is impacted by general market conditions in the automobile
industry and is subject to general economic conditions and changes in consumer
demand. Due to these variables, we do not view the amount of backlog at any
particular point in time as a meaningful indicator of longer-term shipments.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

Certain of our operations are subject to various Federal, state and local
environmental protection laws. Based upon available information, compliance with
these laws and regulations is not expected to have a material adverse effect
upon the level of capital expenditures, earnings or our competitive position for
the remainder of the current and succeeding fiscal year.

EMPLOYEES AND LABOR RELATIONS

As of June 30, 2004, we had approximately 5,500 employees. Approximately
34% of these employees are represented under various collective bargaining
agreements, which expire at various times through May 2009. While we believe
that labor relations with unionized employees are good, a prolonged labor
dispute could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of
operations.

FOREIGN OPERATIONS AND EXPORT SALES

Foreign operations and export sales have not been significant in the past
and are not expected to be significant in the future based upon existing
operations.

RAW MATERIALS

During fiscal year 2004, we obtained adequate supplies of raw materials
for all of the segments. We rely on a variety of raw materials for the
day-to-day production of our products, including the following: soybean

5


oil, certain dairy-related products, flour, fragrances and colorant agents,
paraffin wax, plastic and paper packaging materials, resins, synthetic rubbers,
rubber friction and compound, aluminum and steel.

We purchase the majority of these materials on the open market to meet
current requirements, but we also have some longer-term fixed-price contracts.
See further discussion in our contractual obligations disclosure in the
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations. Although the availability of certain of these materials has become
more influenced by the level of global demand, we anticipate that future sources
of supply will generally be adequate for our needs.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

We use approximately 5.9 million square feet of space for our operations.
Of this space, approximately 1.1 million square feet are leased.

The following table summarizes locations wherein multiple facilities are
aggregated and in total exceed 75,000 square feet of space and which are
considered the principal manufacturing and warehousing operations of the
registrant:



APPROXIMATE TERMS OF
LOCATION BUSINESS SEGMENT(S) SQUARE FEET OCCUPANCY
-------- ------------------- ----------- ------------

Altoona, Iowa............. Specialty Foods........................... 90,000 Owned
Bedford Heights, OH (3)... Specialty Foods........................... 81,000 Owned/Leased
Columbus, OH.............. Specialty Foods........................... 241,000 Owned
Grove City, OH............ Specialty Foods........................... 198,000 Owned
Luverne, AL............... Specialty Foods........................... 91,000 Owned
Milpitas, CA (2).......... Specialty Foods........................... 130,000 Owned/Leased
Wilson, NY ............... Specialty Foods........................... 80,000 Owned
Dunkirk, IN .............. Glassware and Candles..................... 622,000 Owned
Lancaster, OH............. Glassware and Candles..................... 465,000 Owned
Leesburg, OH (1).......... Glassware and Candles..................... 875,000 Owned/Leased
Sapulpa, OK (3)........... Glassware and Candles..................... 686,000 Owned/Leased
Jackson, OH............... Automotive and Glassware and Candles...... 223,000 Owned
Coshocton, OH............. Automotive................................ 591,000 Owned
Des Moines, IA (2)........ Automotive................................ 444,000 Owned/Leased
LaGrange, GA.............. Automotive................................ 211,000 Owned
Wapakoneta, OH (1)(2)..... Automotive................................ 273,000 Owned/Leased


- ----------

(1) Part leased on a monthly basis

(2) Part leased for term expiring in 2005

(3) Part leased for term expiring in 2006

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

None

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None

SUPPLEMENTARY ITEM. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the following list is
included as an unnumbered item in Part I of this Report in lieu of being
included in the Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held November 15, 2004.

6


The following is a list of names and ages of all of our executive officers
indicating all positions and offices held by such person and each person's
principal occupation or employment during the past five years. No person other
than those listed below has been chosen to become an executive officer:



FIRST
ELECTED
AGE AS OF AS AN
OFFICES AND SEPTEMBER 3, EXECUTIVE
NAME POSITIONS HELD 2004 OFFICER
- ---- -------------- ------------ ---------

John B. Gerlach, Jr.... Chairman, Chief Executive Officer,
President and Director........................... 50 1982
John L. Boylan......... Treasurer, Vice President, Assistant Secretary,
Chief Financial Officer and Director............. 49 1990
Bruce L. Rosa.......... Vice President-Development, President of
T. Marzetti Company.............................. 55 1998


The above named officers were elected or re-elected to their present
positions at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors on November 17, 2003.
All such persons have been elected to serve until the next annual election of
officers, which shall occur on November 15, 2004, when their successors are
elected or until their earlier resignation or removal.

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS,
AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our common stock trades on The Nasdaq Stock Market(R) under the symbol
LANC. Stock prices were provided by The Nasdaq Stock Market(R). The following
table sets forth the high and low close prices for Lancaster Colony common
shares and the dividends paid for each quarter of fiscal 2004 and 2003.



CLOSING
STOCK PRICES DIVIDENDS
-------------------- PAID
HIGH LOW PER SHARE
------- ------- ---------

2004
FIRST QUARTER......................................... $ 42.00 $ 38.68 $.20
SECOND QUARTER........................................ 45.18 39.36 .23
THIRD QUARTER......................................... 46.11 39.09 .23
FOURTH QUARTER........................................ 44.06 38.20 .23
----
YEAR................................................ $.89
====
2003
First quarter......................................... $ 44.71 $ 32.68 $.18
Second quarter........................................ 46.74 33.50 .20
Third quarter......................................... 39.53 35.47 .20
Fourth quarter........................................ 42.79 37.55 .20
----
Year................................................ $.78
====


The number of shareholders as of August 27, 2004 was approximately 11,750.
The highest and lowest close prices for our common stock from July 1, 2004 to
August 27, 2004 were $41.17 and $38.26.

7


EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table summarizes information about our common stock that may
be issued upon the exercise of options under all of our equity compensation
plans as of June 30, 2004. The table includes the following plans: The 1981
Incentive Stock Option Plan and the 1995 Key Employee Stock Option Plan.



NUMBER OF NUMBER OF COMMON
COMMON SHARES REMAINING
SHARES TO BE AVAILABLE FOR FUTURE
ISSUED UPON WEIGHTED-AVERAGE ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY
EXERCISE OF EXERCISE PRICE OF COMPENSATION PLANS
OUTSTANDING OUTSTANDING (EXCLUDING COMMON SHARES
OPTIONS OPTIONS REFLECTED IN COLUMN (a))
------------ -------------------- ------------------------
(a) (b) (c)
------------ -------------------- ------------------------

Equity Compensation Plans
Approved by Shareholders .............. 380,664 $34.93 1,891,234

Equity Compensation Plans
Not Approved by Shareholders - - -
------- ------ ---------
Total ............................ 380,664 $34.93 1,891,234
======= ====== =========


ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

In May 2000, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase
authorization of 3,000,000 shares of which approximately 375,000 remained
authorized for future purchase as of June 30, 2004. In August 2004, our Board of
Directors approved a share repurchase authorization of an additional 2,000,000
shares. In the fourth quarter, we made the following repurchases of our common
stock:



TOTAL NUMBER MAXIMUM NUMBER
TOTAL AVERAGE OF SHARES OF SHARES THAT MAY
NUMBER PRICE PURCHASED AS YET BE PURCHASED
OF SHARES PAID PER PART OF PUBLICLY UNDER THE PLANS OR
PERIOD PURCHASED SHARE ANNOUNCED PLANS PROGRAMS
- ------ --------- -------- ---------------- ------------------

April 1-30, 2004........................ 37,000 $42.62 37,000 564,732
May 1-31, 2004.......................... 85,000 $39.44 85,000 479,732
June 1-30, 2004......................... 105,000 $41.49 105,000 374,732


These share repurchase authorizations do not have a stated expiration
date.

8


ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
FIVE YEAR FINANCIAL SUMMARY



YEARS ENDED JUNE 30
(THOUSANDS EXCEPT --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER SHARE FIGURES) 2004 2003 2002 2001(1) 2000
- ------------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

OPERATIONS
Net Sales .......................... $ 1,096,953 $ 1,106,800 $ 1,129,687 $ 1,092,653 $ 1,090,696
Gross Margin ....................... $ 223,686 $ 243,860 $ 253,565 $ 255,721 $ 273,500
Percent of Sales ................ 20.4% 22.0% 22.4% 23.4% 25.1%
Interest Expense ................... $ - $ - $ 54 $ 1,239 $ 1,588
Percent of Sales ................ 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.1% 0.1%
Income Before Income Taxes ......... $ 128,464 $ 180,801 $ 149,342 $ 145,885 $ 160,189
Percent of Sales ................ 11.7% 16.3% 13.2% 13.4% 14.7%
Taxes Based on Income .............. $ 48,462 $ 68,255 $ 57,402 $ 55,649 $ 60,925
Income Before Cumulative
Effect of Accounting Change ..... $ 80,002 $ 112,546 $ 91,940 $ 90,236 $ 99,264
Cumulative Effect of
Accounting Change, Net of Tax ... $ - $ - $ - $ (998) $ -
Net Income ......................... $ 80,002 $ 112,546 $ 91,940 $ 89,238 $ 99,264
Percent of Sales ................ 7.3% 10.2% 8.1% 8.2% 9.1%
Per Common Share:
Net Income - Basic and Diluted .. $ 2.24 $ 3.11 $ 2.49 $ 2.37 $ 2.51
Cash Dividends .................. $ 0.89 $ 0.78 $ 0.71 $ 0.67 $ 0.63

FINANCIAL POSITION
Total Assets ....................... $ 712,887 $ 667,716 $ 618,705 $ 576,352 $ 531,844
Working Capital .................... $ 358,274 $ 329,462 $ 276,796 $ 220,896 $ 219,420
Property, Plant and Equipment-Net .. $ 159,494 $ 161,111 $ 165,943 $ 173,169 $ 172,384
Long-Term Debt ..................... $ - $ - $ - $ 1,095 $ 3,040
Property Additions ................. $ 18,172 $ 29,941 $ 22,546 $ 22,632 $ 24,564
Depreciation and Amortization ...... $ 31,267 $ 31,669 $ 35,287 $ 35,528 $ 34,340
Shareholders' Equity ............... $ 586,785 $ 547,665 $ 501,277 $ 459,901 $ 415,483
Per Common Share ................ $ 16.54 $ 15.31 $ 13.70 $ 12.35 $ 10.94
Weighted Average Common Shares
Outstanding - Diluted ........... 35,778 36,243 36,910 37,636 39,554

STATISTICS
Price-Earnings Ratio at Year-End ... 18.6 12.4 14.3 13.9 7.8
Current Ratio ...................... 4.9 4.9 4.1 3.3 3.3
Long-Term Debt as a Percent
of Shareholders' Equity ......... 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.2% 0.7%
Dividends Paid as a Percent
of Net Income ................... 39.7% 25.0% 28.4% 28.2% 24.9%
Return on Average Equity ........... 14.1% 21.5% 19.1% 20.4% 23.9%


- ----------

(1) Reflects the impact of adopting the provisions of the Securities and
Exchange Commission's Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101, Revenue
Recognition in Financial Statements.

9


ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

We are a diversified manufacturer and marketer of consumer products
including specialty foods for the retail and foodservice markets; glassware and
candles for the retail, industrial, floral and foodservice markets; and
automotive accessories for the original equipment market and aftermarket.

This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations ("MD&A") describes the matters that we consider to be
important in understanding the results of our operations for each of the three
years in the period ended June 30, 2004 and our liquidity and capital resources
as of June 30, 2004 and 2003. Our fiscal year begins on July 1 and ends on June
30. We analyze the results of our operations for the last three years, including
the trends in the overall business, followed by a discussion of our cash flows
and liquidity and contractual obligations. We then provide a review of the
critical accounting policies and estimates that we have made which we believe
are most important to an understanding of our MD&A and our consolidated
financial statements. We conclude our MD&A with information on recently issued
accounting pronouncements.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the "Selected
Consolidated Financial Data" and our consolidated financial statements and the
notes thereto, all included elsewhere herein. The forward-looking statements in
this section and other parts of this document involve risks and uncertainties
including statements regarding our plans, objectives, goals, strategies, and
financial performance. Our actual results could differ materially from the
results anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of factors
set forth under the caption "Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995."

With respect to our consolidated operating results for the fiscal year
ended June 30, 2004, net sales for the year ended June 30, 2004 decreased 1% to
$1,097 million from the prior year total of $1,107 million. Gross margin
decreased 8% to $223.7 million from the prior year comparable total of $243.9
million. Net income for the current year was $80.0 million or $2.24 per diluted
share, compared to $112.5 million or $3.11 per diluted share in the prior year.

Our current year results reflected an environment of increased competition
and higher raw material costs. During the year, we found our opportunities to
increase prices to be limited and generally not sufficient to offset the impact
of the higher material costs. We have been able to maintain a strong balance
sheet with no debt throughout this fiscal year. Our consolidated cash balance
increased by $35.7 million to $178.5 million compared to the prior year total of
$142.8 million. Overall results were also affected by the decrease in funds
received under the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000 ("CDSOA").
In fiscal 2004, we received $2.0 million under CDSOA compared to $39.2 million
in fiscal 2003 and $15.6 million in fiscal 2002.

On December 12, 2003, we purchased substantially all the operating assets
of Warren Frozen Foods, Inc. ("Warren"), a privately owned producer and marketer
of frozen noodle and pasta products. Warren is reported in our Specialty Foods
segment. This acquisition's final purchase price was approximately $21.0
million, including an estimated net asset adjustment of approximately $461,000
as determined under the terms of the purchase agreement, and this transaction is
discussed in further detail in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements.

On April 27, 2004, we announced our intent to close our automotive floor
mat manufacturing facility located in Waycross, Georgia. We recorded a
restructuring and impairment charge of approximately $1.1 million ($0.7 million
after taxes). Manufacturing effectively ceased as of June 30, 2004. The decision
to close the plant was brought on by a decline in demand for compression molded
rubber floor mats that resulted in excess segment capacity. See further
discussion in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements.

10


REVIEW OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS

SEGMENT SALES MIX

The relative proportion of sales contributed by each of our business
segments can impact a year-to-year comparison of the consolidated statements of
income. The following table summarizes the sales mix over each of the last three
years:



2004 2003 2002
---- ---- ----

SEGMENT SALES MIX: (1)
Specialty Foods.................................... 58% 55% 51%
Glassware and Candles.............................. 21% 23% 28%
Automotive......................................... 21% 22% 21%


- ----------

(1) Expressed as a percentage of consolidated net sales

NET SALES AND GROSS MARGIN



FISCAL YEAR ENDED
JUNE 30 CHANGE
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) 2004 2003 2002 2004 VS. 2003 2003 VS. 2002
- ---------------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------------- ---------------

NET SALES
Specialty Foods........ $ 639,226 $ 609,994 $ 579,940 $ 29,232 5% $ 30,054 5%
Glassware and Candles.. 231,125 251,437 314,591 (20,312) (8%) (63,154) (20%)
Automotive............. 226,602 245,369 235,156 (18,767) (8%) 10,213 4%
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- -- -------- --
Total................ $1,096,953 $1,106,800 $1,129,687 $ (9,847) (1%) $(22,887) (2%)
========== ========== ========== ======== == ======== ==
GROSS MARGIN............. $ 223,686 $ 243,860 $ 253,565 $(20,174) (8%) $ (9,705) (4%)
========== ========== ========== ======== == ======== ==
GROSS MARGIN AS A
PERCENT OF SALES....... 20.4% 22.0% 22.4%


Consolidated net sales during fiscal 2004 reached $1,097 million,
essentially flat as compared to the prior year sales level of $1,107 million.
Sales through fiscal 2002 had increased for eleven consecutive years before the
2% decline in fiscal 2003. Like many other consumer product companies, our sales
for fiscals 2004 and 2003 were impacted by unsettled domestic economic
conditions. We also experienced heightened competitive influences, particularly
in nonfood markets.

Our gross margin as a percentage of net sales was 20.4% in 2004 compared
with 22.0% in 2003 and 22.4% in 2002. The Specialty Foods segment gross margin
was lower in fiscal 2004 and 2003 due to continuing higher ingredient costs,
especially soybean oil and certain dairy-related products. The consolidated
gross margins have also been impacted by lower margins occurring within the
Glassware and Candles segment. This segment has experienced significant price
competition as well as less favorable fixed cost absorption on reduced
production levels. Gross margin as a percentage of sales within the Automotive
segment has remained flat over the past two fiscal years despite increasing
material costs, especially for synthetic rubber, aluminum and steel. The
Automotive margins benefited from the inclusion of a $0.4 million gain on the
August 2003 sale of an idle manufacturing facility.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES



FISCAL YEAR ENDED
JUNE 30 CHANGE
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) 2004 2003 2002 2004 VS. 2003 2003 VS. 2002
- ---------------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------------- ---------------

SELLING, GENERAL AND
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES........ $97,885 $99,032 $119,196 $(1,147) (1%) $(20,164) (17%)
======= ======= ======== ======= == ======== ===
SG&A EXPENSE AS A
PERCENT OF SALES............... 8.9% 8.9% 10.6%


11


Selling, general and administrative expenses for 2004 totaled $97.9
million and were down 1% as compared with the 2003 total of $99.0 million and
declined $21.3 million from the 2002 total of $119.2 million. The 2002 total
included a second quarter provision for bad debts within the Glassware and
Candles segment of approximately $14.3 million ($8.8 million after taxes)
related to our accounts receivable exposure to Kmart Corporation. The 2004
full-year total includes a $1.8 million recovery of bad debt associated with
Kmart Corporation. As a percentage of sales, selling, general and administrative
expenses were relatively stable for the years ending June 30, 2004 and 2003,
while 2002 was impacted by the bad debt provision noted above.

RESTRUCTURING AND IMPAIRMENT CHARGE

In fiscal 2004, we recorded a restructuring and impairment charge of
approximately $1.1 million ($0.7 million after taxes) for costs incurred as of
June 30, 2004 related to the closing of our automotive floor mat manufacturing
facility located in Waycross, Georgia. Manufacturing effectively ceased as of
June 30, 2004. The decision to close the plant was brought on by a decline in
demand for compression molded rubber floor mats that resulted in excess segment
capacity. The cash costs associated with this closure totaled approximately $0.3
million and included termination benefits and other closing costs, such as costs
to remove and relocate certain equipment, costs to prepare the building for
sale, and various other charges. Approximately $0.8 million of the restructuring
and impairment charge relates to this facility's impairment of property, plant
and equipment.

An analysis of our restructuring activity and the related liability within
the Automotive segment is as follows (in thousands):



2004 2004 ACCRUAL AT
CHARGE CASH OUTLAYS JUNE 30, 2004
------- ------------ -------------

RESTRUCTURING AND IMPAIRMENT CHARGE

Employee Separation Costs............................ $ 233 $(128) $105
Other Costs.......................................... 39 (5) 34
------- ----- ----
Subtotal............................................. 272 $(133) $139
===== ====
Asset Impairment..................................... 786
-------
Total Restructuring and Impairment Charge........... $ 1,058
=======


The restructuring accrual is located in accounts payable and accrued
liabilities at June 30, 2004. We expect that the remaining cash outlays for this
plan will occur over the next fiscal year.

In fiscal 2003, we recorded a restructuring and impairment charge of
approximately $4.9 million ($3.0 million after taxes) related to the
consolidation of certain glass manufacturing operations. The charge consisted of
employee separation costs, pension curtailment costs, closure and cleanup costs,
and the writedown of property, plant and equipment having no future utility as a
result of the restructuring decision. The plant consolidation was substantially
completed by June 2003. The liability that remains for this restructuring is
immaterial to the overall consolidated financial statements.

12


OPERATING INCOME



FISCAL YEAR ENDED
JUNE 30 CHANGE
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) 2004 2003 2002 2004 VS. 2003 2003 VS. 2002
- ---------------------- --------- --------- -------- ---------------- ---------------

OPERATING INCOME
Specialty Foods......... $ 109,391 $ 116,068 $113,710 $ (6,677) (6%) $ 2,358 2%
Glassware and Candles... 9,298 12,432 10,547 (3,134) (25%) 1,885 18%
Automotive.............. 11,980 17,351 15,489 (5,371) (31%) 1,862 12%
Corporate Expenses...... (5,926) (5,908) (5,377) (18) 0% (531) 10%
--------- --------- -------- -------- --- ------- --
Total................. $ 124,743 $ 139,943 $134,369 $(15,200) (11%) $ 5,574 4%
========= ========= ======== ======== === ======= ==
OPERATING INCOME AS
A PERCENT OF SALES
Specialty Foods........ 17.1% 19.0% 19.6%
Glassware and Candles.. 4.0% 4.9% 3.4%
Automotive............. 5.3% 7.1% 6.6%
Consolidated........... 11.4% 12.6% 11.9%


Declines in operating income in each of the three operating segments, due
to the factors discussed above, led to consolidated operating income for fiscal
2004 totaling $124.7 million, an 11% decrease from fiscal 2003 operating income
of $139.9 million. The fiscal 2003 total had increased 4% from fiscal 2002
operating income totaling $134.4 million.

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

In December 2003, January 2003 and February 2002, we received
approximately $2.0 million, $39.2 million and $15.6 million, respectively, under
CDSOA. These amounts were recorded within the accompanying financial statements
as other income. CDSOA, which applies to our candle operations, is intended to
redress the unfair dumping of imported products through annual cash payments to
eligible affected companies. We are aware that certain other candle
manufacturers have initiated legal proceedings against the U.S. Customs and
Border Protection Service ("CBP"), claiming a right to share in the total
proceeds previously paid, or to be paid, to candle manufacturers currently
considered eligible recipients under CDSOA. There also exists other litigation
initiated by plaintiffs other than candle manufacturers that more broadly
challenges various aspects of CDSOA, including its constitutionality. To date,
those matters that have been ruled upon by trial courts have been adjudicated in
favor of the CBP. However, several matters await ruling at the trial court level
or the results of plaintiff's appeal to the applicable Federal appeals court. If
the CBP is ultimately unable to prevail in these matters, it might become
asserted that the payments that we have received should be reduced by an
undetermined amount through either smaller future distributions or as refunds to
the CBP.

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

As affected by the decreased CDSOA payments, our income before income
taxes for fiscal 2004 of $128.5 million decreased 29% from the fiscal 2003 total
of $180.8 million. As influenced by the cessation of nondeductible goodwill
amortization in fiscal 2003 as discussed below, our effective tax rate was
37.7%, 37.8% and 38.4% in fiscals 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE

Fiscal 2004 diluted earnings per share totaled $2.24, a 28% decrease from
the prior year total of $3.11. The latter amount was 25% more than fiscal 2002
diluted earnings per share of $2.49. Earnings per share in each of the last
three years has been beneficially affected by share repurchases, which have
totaled approximately $80.5 million over the three-year period ended June 30,
2004.

13


Effective July 1, 2002, we adopted the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible
Assets," which requires goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets to no
longer be amortized but reviewed annually for impairment, or more frequently if
impairment indicators arise. Intangible assets with lives restricted by
contractual, legal or other means continue to be amortized over their useful
lives. Amortization of other intangibles for 2004, 2003 and 2002 was $276,000,
$30,000 and $30,000, respectively. Amortization of goodwill and other
intangibles for 2002 was approximately $2.7 million. Of the $79.2 million in
goodwill at June 30, 2004, approximately $78.2 million related to the Specialty
Foods segment and approximately $1.0 million related to the Automotive segment.

SEGMENT REVIEW - SPECIALTY FOODS

Record levels of net sales were again achieved by the Specialty Foods
segment during fiscal 2004, but operating income of $109.4 million fell 6% from
the fiscal 2003 level of $116.1 million due mainly to higher raw material costs.
Net sales during fiscal 2004 totaled $639.2 million, a 5% increase over the
prior year total of $610.0 million. Fiscal 2003 sales had increased 5% over the
fiscal 2002 total of $579.9 million. The percentage of retail customer sales was
approximately 51% during fiscal 2004 compared to 53% and 52% in fiscals 2003 and
2002, respectively.

The sales growth experienced in 2004 was primarily volume-driven from both
retail and foodservice customers. Fiscal 2004 also benefited from the sales
growth attributable to the December 2003 Warren acquisition. This acquisition
provided approximately $9 million in incremental sales during fiscal 2004. The
segment's retail customer sales growth over the last two years was most
influenced by the strength of the frozen bread product lines. The level of
foodservice sales during the two-year period increased due to well-received
product development efforts for existing national account customers.

The Specialty Foods segment operating income in fiscal 2004 totaled $109.4
million, a 6% decrease from the fiscal 2003 total of $116.1 million. The 2003
level was 2% above the fiscal 2002 level of $113.7 million. The decrease in
fiscal 2004's operating income was principally caused by generally higher raw
material costs incurred during the year, especially for soybean oil and certain
dairy-related products. The adverse impact to 2004 results of soybean oil costs
alone is estimated to have exceeded $7 million, and higher soybean oil costs are
currently anticipated to continue to adversely affect comparative results
through at least the first half of fiscal 2005. These soybean oil costs also
impacted the year-over-year comparisons in ingredient costs between fiscal 2003
and 2002, as it was estimated that the impact of the increased soybean oil costs
was in excess of $4 million in 2003.

SEGMENT REVIEW - GLASSWARE AND CANDLES

Net sales of the Glassware and Candles segment are comprised primarily of
candles and related accessories. The segment's sales during fiscal 2004 totaled
$231.1 million, and declined 8% compared to fiscal 2003 net sales of $251.4
million. Similarly, compared to net sales in fiscal 2002 totaling $314.6
million, fiscal 2003 sales declined by 20%. The sales decline in each year was
attributable to continued weakness in both candle and glassware demand and
intense competitive pressures, including pricing. Toward the end of fiscal 2004,
candle sales increased as compared to the prior year period, benefiting from the
mid-year introduction of a new line of private-label candle products.

The segment's operating income totaled $9.3 million during fiscal 2004, a
25% decrease from the prior year's total of $12.4 million. Compared to fiscal
2002 operating income of $10.5 million, fiscal 2003 income increased by 18%.
Income has been adversely affected by a less favorable sales mix, competitive
pricing conditions, and lower production levels leading to less favorable levels
of overhead absorption in both candle and glassware manufacturing operations. In
addition to recording a related bad debt provision of $14.3 million for Kmart
Corporation during fiscal 2002, the segment's sales to this customer were
adversely affected by the impact of the reorganization process on Kmart
Corporation's sales. Somewhat offsetting this impact has been the income
associated with the liquidations of LIFO glassware inventory acquired at
substantially lower costs in prior years. Such liquidations reduced cost of
sales by approximately $4.2 million in fiscal 2004, $7.0 million in fiscal 2003
and $3.3 million in fiscal 2002. As discussed previously, the $4.9 million
restructuring charge related to the consolidation of glass manufacturing
operations also impacted fiscal 2003 results. While the resulting reduction in
glass manufacturing facilities has reduced overhead

14


costs, the anticipated levels of manufacturing productivity of the combined
operations have not yet been achieved. We continue to assess alternative
approaches to attaining satisfactory efficiencies.

We are seeing a slight upturn in the demand for candle and candle-related
products, but the glassware category is still exhibiting weak demand and high
levels of competition. We monitor our operations for indicators of impairment.
To the extent such indicators are present, we evaluate the long-lived assets for
recoverability. See further discussion in our Critical Accounting Policies and
Estimates.

SEGMENT REVIEW - AUTOMOTIVE

Net sales of the Automotive segment during fiscal 2004 totaled $226.6
million, an 8% decrease from the prior year sales level of $245.4 million.
Fiscal 2003 sales increased 4% from the sales level of $235.2 million achieved
in fiscal 2002. Fiscal 2004 sales to several original equipment manufacturers
("OEM") increased, but those gains were not large enough to offset the loss of a
larger aluminum accessory OEM program beginning in the first quarter of 2004.
This segment's sales to OEMs are made both directly to the OEMs and indirectly
through third-party "Tier 1" suppliers. Such sales are sensitive to the overall
rate of new vehicle sales, the availability of competitive alternatives and the
Tier 1 suppliers' ongoing ability to maintain their relationship with the OEMs.
Additionally, the extent of pricing flexibility associated with these sales
continues to be particularly limited with certain products subject to annual
price reductions. During 2004, sales to OEMs comprised 66% of this segment's
sales compared to 69% and 63% in 2003 and 2002, respectively. Also, consistent
with the trend experienced in fiscal 2003, aftermarket sales of floor mats
continued to decline in 2004.

Operating income of the Automotive segment totaled $12.0 million for
fiscal 2004, a 31% decrease from the prior year total of $17.4 million. This
decrease was attributable to less fixed costs absorption due to the segment's
reduced production levels and higher material costs. As discussed earlier, the
$1.1 million restructuring charge related to the closure of the Waycross,
Georgia location, which produced compression molded rubber floor mats, also
impacted fiscal 2004 results and was meant to reduce this segment's excess
capacity for floor mats. The 2003 operating income of $17.4 million was a 12%
increase over the prior year total of $15.5 million. The improvement in fiscal
2003 results above fiscal 2002's operating income was primarily attributable to
greater sales levels, a more favorable sales mix and better overhead absorption.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The strength of our balance sheet at June 30, 2004 is reflected by the
existence of over $178 million in cash and equivalents, nearly $587 million in
shareholders' equity, and the continued absence of debt. We believe that this
financial position provides us with substantial flexibility to consider business
acquisitions, especially those that are complementary in function to that of our
existing operations, evaluate share repurchase levels and otherwise meet ongoing
liquidity requirements.

We maintain a revolving credit arrangement with several commercial banks
totaling $125 million. Terms of the related agreement allow for borrowings to
occur at or below the U.S. prime rate of interest. We also have an uncommitted
line of credit for short-term borrowings from one bank for $25 million. We did
not have any borrowings under either arrangement in fiscal 2004 or fiscal 2003.
We believe that internally generated funds, the existing credit facilities and
an ability to obtain additional financing, combined with the current cash and
cash equivalents on hand, will be sufficient to meet operating requirements and
fund future foreseeable capital needs.

Our cash flows for the fiscal years 2002 through 2004 are presented in the
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Cash flow generated from operations
remains the primary source of financing for our internal growth. Cash provided
from operating activities in fiscal 2004 totaled $119.7 million, a 25% decrease
from the prior year total of $160.5 million and a 26% decrease from the fiscal
2002 total of $160.8 million. Cash flows provided by operating activities during
fiscal 2004 were impacted by the lower level of net income and relative changes
in working capital, including accounts receivable and inventory. The June 30,
2003 level of accounts receivable declined from prior year levels due to the
lower sales in the Glassware and Candles segment and a shift within accounts
receivable to a greater proportion of Specialty Foods segment sales, as these
receivables have shorter payment terms than do the sales of our two other
segments.

15


Net cash used in investing activities during fiscal 2004 included capital
expenditures totaling $18.2 million, compared to $29.9 million in fiscal 2003
and $22.5 million in fiscal 2002. Capital spending allocations during fiscal
2004 by segment were 48% to Specialty Foods, 24% to Glassware and Candles and
27% to Automotive. Expenditures in fiscal 2003 included approximately $8.0
million for the expansion of a frozen roll manufacturing facility of the
Specialty Foods segment. Based on current plans and expectations, total capital
expenditures for fiscal 2005 may increase to as much as $50 million due to the
anticipated start of a new salad dressing facility, which is not expected to be
completed until fiscal 2006.

During fiscal 2004, we acquired Warren for a final purchase price of
approximately $21.0 million. An estimated net asset adjustment of $461,000 was
recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004 and is included in accounts
payable on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at June 30, 2004. This net asset
adjustment is subject to the review by and agreement of the seller, but we do
not expect any significant change to the estimated amount. See further
discussion in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements.

In 2003 and 2002, payments totaling $3.0 million and $2.3 million,
respectively, were made as required under the terms of a contingent payment
arrangement associated with a business acquired in fiscal 2001. No such payment
was required during fiscal 2004, the last year of the arrangement.

Financing activities used net cash totaling $42.0 million, $63.9 million
and $56.1 million in fiscals 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Cash utilized
for share repurchases totaled $16.7 million, $35.6 million and $28.3 million in
2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. In May 2000, our Board of Directors approved
a share repurchase authorization of 3,000,000 shares of which approximately
375,000 remained authorized for future purchase as of June 30, 2004. In August
2004, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase authorization of an
additional 2,000,000 shares.

Total dividend payments for 2004 were $31.8 million, which was nearly 13%
greater than the 2003 total of $28.2 million. This increase reflects the higher
dividend payout rate of $.89 per share present during 2004 as compared to $.78
per share during 2003 and $.71 per share in 2002. Fiscal 2004 marks the 41st
consecutive year in which our dividend rate was increased. The future levels of
share repurchases and declared dividends are subject to the periodic review of
our Board of Directors and are generally determined after an assessment is made
of such factors as anticipated earnings levels, cash flow requirements and
general business conditions.

Our ongoing business activities continue to be subject to compliance with
various laws, rules and regulations as may be issued and enforced by various
Federal, state and local agencies. With respect to environmental matters, costs
are incurred pertaining to regulatory compliance and, upon occasion,
remediation. Such costs have not been, and are not anticipated to become,
material.

We are contingently liable with respect to lawsuits, taxes and various
other matters that routinely arise in the normal course of business. We do not
have any related party transactions that materially affect our results of
operations, cash flow or financial condition.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS, CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS

We do not have off-balance sheet arrangements, financings, or other
relationships with unconsolidated entities or other persons, also known as
"Variable Interest Entities" that have or are reasonably likely to have a
current or future material effect on our financial condition, changes in
financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operation, liquidity or
capital expenditures.

We have various contractual obligations, which are appropriately recorded
as liabilities in our consolidated financial statements. Certain other items,
such as purchase obligations, are not recognized as liabilities in our
consolidated financial statements. Examples of items not recognized as
liabilities in our consolidated financial statements are commitments to purchase
raw materials or inventory that has not yet been received as of June 30, 2004
and future minimum lease payments for the use of property and equipment under
operating lease agreements.

16


The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of June 30,
2004 (in thousands):



PAYMENT DUE BY PERIOD
------------------------------------------------------
LESS THAN MORE THAN
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS TOTAL 1 YEAR 1-3 YEARS 3-5 YEARS 5 YEARS
- ----------------------- -------- --------- --------- --------- ---------

Operating Lease Obligations (1)........... $ 10,629 $ 4,518 $ 4,257 $ 1,254 $ 600
Purchase Obligations (2).................. 45,509 41,794 3,671 18 26
Minimum Required Pension Contributions.... 172 150 22 - -
Other Long-Term Liabilities (as reflected
on Consolidated Balance Sheet) (3)...... 1,066 - 1,066 - -
-------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total................................. $ 57,376 $ 46,462 $ 9,016 $ 1,272 $ 626
======== ========= ========= ========= =========


- -----------
(1) Operating leases are primarily entered into for warehouse and office
facilities and certain equipment. See Note 12 to the consolidated
financial statements for further information.

(2) Purchase obligations represent purchase orders and longer-term purchase
arrangements related to the procurement of ingredients, supplies, raw
materials, and machinery and equipment.

(3) This amount does not include $20.5 million of other noncurrent liabilities
recorded on the balance sheet, which consist of the minimum pension
liability, other post employment benefit obligations, and deferred
compensation and interest on deferred compensation. These items are
excluded, as it is not certain when these liabilities will become due. See
Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements for further information.

IMPACT OF INFLATION

Raw material costs during fiscal 2004 were above fiscal 2003 levels, which
had increased from the 2002 levels. Among commodities most affecting this
increase were soybean oil and certain dairy-related products in the Specialty
Foods segment and certain metals and petroleum-derived materials used in the
Automotive segment. While the costs of certain of these commodities may abate
during fiscal 2005, material costs as of June 30, 2004 were generally above
levels of a year ago.

We generally attempt to adjust our selling prices to offset the effects of
increased raw material costs. However, these adjustments have historically been
difficult to implement. If implemented, such adjustments tend to lag the
increase in costs incurred. Minimizing the exposure to such increased costs is
our diversity of operations and our ongoing efforts to achieve greater
manufacturing and distribution efficiencies through the improvement of work
processes.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

MD&A discusses our consolidated financial statements, which have been
prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements
requires that we make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts
of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the
reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an
ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including, but not
limited to, those related to accounts receivable, inventories, marketing and
distribution costs, asset impairments and self-insurance reserves. We base our
estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors
that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which
form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and
liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may
differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Historically, the aggregate differences, if any, between our estimates and
actual amounts in any year have not had a significant impact on our consolidated
financial statements. While a summary of our significant accounting policies can
be found in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, which is included
in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K, we believe the following critical
accounting policies, among others, affect our more significant judgments and
estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

REVENUE RECOGNITION

Customer sales are recognized when revenue is realized and earned. We
recognize revenue when the risk and title passes to the customer, generally at
the time of shipment. Customer sales are recorded net of

17



allowances for estimated returns, trade promotions and other discounts, which
are recognized as a deduction from sales at the time of sale.

RECEIVABLES AND THE ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

We provide an allowance for doubtful accounts based on the aging of
accounts receivable balances and historical write-off experience and on-going
reviews of our trade receivables. Measurement of potential losses requires
credit review of existing customer relationships, consideration of historical
loss experience, including the need to adjust for current conditions, and
judgments about the probable effects of relevant observable data, including
present economic conditions such as delinquency rates and the economic health of
customers. In addition to credit concerns, we also evaluate the adequacy of our
allowances for customer deductions considering several factors including
historical losses and existing customer relationships.

LONG-LIVED ASSETS

We monitor the recoverability of the carrying value of our long-lived
assets by periodically considering whether or not indicators of impairment are
present. If such indicators are present, we determine if the assets are
recoverable by comparing the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows to the
assets' carrying amount. Our cash flows are based on historical results adjusted
to reflect our best estimate of future market and operating conditions. If the
carrying amounts are greater, then the assets are not recoverable. In that
instance, we compare the carrying amounts to the fair value to determine the
amount of the impairment to be recorded.

VALUATION OF INVENTORY

When necessary, we provide allowances to adjust the carrying value of our
inventory to the lower of cost or net realizable value, including any costs to
sell or dispose. The determination of whether inventory items are slow moving,
obsolete or in excess of needs requires estimates about the future demand for
our products. The estimates as to future demand used in the valuation of
inventory are subject to the ongoing success of our products. In addition, the
number of stock-keeping units may impact our allowance for obsolescence. A
decrease in product demand due to changing customer tastes, consumer buying
patterns or loss of shelf space to competitors could significantly impact our
evaluation of our excess and obsolete inventories. The valuation during interim
periods of inventories determined under the LIFO method of accounting requires
estimations regarding the year-end mix of inventory quantities and costs of
product. Such estimates may differ from the actual due to such factors as
changes in customer demand and production schedules.

ACCRUED MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION

Various marketing programs are offered to customers to reimburse them for
a portion or all of their promotional activities related to our products.
Additionally, we often incur various costs associated with shipping products to
the customer. We provide accruals for the costs of marketing and distribution
based on historical information as may be modified by estimates of actual costs
incurred. Actual costs may differ significantly if factors such as the level and
success of the customers' programs, changes in customer utilization practices,
or other conditions differ from expectations.

ACCRUALS FOR SELF-INSURANCE

Self-insurance accruals are made for certain claims associated with
employee health care, workers' compensation and general liability insurance.
These accruals include estimates that may be based on historical loss
development factors. Differences in estimates and assumptions could result in an
accrual requirement materially different from the calculated accrual.

ACCOUNTING FOR PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

To determine our ultimate obligation under our defined benefit pension
plans and our other postretirement benefit plans, we must estimate the future
cost of benefits and attribute that cost to the time period during which each
covered employee works. To record the related net assets and obligation of such
benefit plans, we use assumptions related to inflation, investment returns,
mortality, employee turnover, medical costs and discount rates. To determine the
discount rate, we, along with our third-party actuaries,

18



considered several factors, including the June 30, 2004 rates of various bond
indices, such as the Moody's Aa long-term bond index and the past history of
discount rates used for the plan valuation. These assumptions follow the
guidance provided in SFAS No. 87, "Employers' Accounting for Pensions" and SFAS
No. 106, "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than
Pensions." We, along with third-party actuaries, review all of these assumptions
on an ongoing basis to ensure that the most reasonable information available is
being considered. Changes in assumptions and future investment returns could
potentially have a material impact on pension expense and related funding
requirements.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In December 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and
Modernization Act of 2003 ("the Act") was signed into law. The Act introduced a
prescription drug benefit under Medicare Part D and a federal subsidy to
sponsors of retirement health care plans that provide a benefit that is at least
actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D. In accordance with Financial
Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Staff Position No. 106-1, we elected to
defer recognizing the effect of the Act on the accounting for our postretirement
benefit plans until authoritative accounting guidance was issued. In May 2004,
the FASB issued Staff Position No. 106-2, which provided final guidance on
accounting for the Act. We will adopt the provisions of the Staff Position No.
106-2 in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005. Therefore, amounts included in the
financial statements related to our postretirement benefit plans do not reflect
the effects of the Act. The provisions of the Act are not expected to have a
material effect on our results of operations, cash flow or financial position.

In December 2003, the FASB issued Revised SFAS No. 132R, "Employers'
Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits." SFAS No. 132R
revises the annual disclosure requirements for pension and postretirement plans
to include additional disclosures about assets, obligations, cash flows, and net
periodic benefit costs of defined benefit pension and other defined benefit
postretirement plans. SFAS No. 132R also revises the interim disclosure
requirements to include disclosures of the net periodic benefit costs for each
period in which an income statement is presented and the employer's
contributions paid and expected to be paid during the current fiscal year, if
the contributions are significantly different than previously disclosed amounts.
The Statement was effective for financial statements with fiscal years ending
after December 15, 2003. For interim-period disclosures, the Statement was
effective for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2003. We adopted this
Statement for interim-period disclosures with our March 31, 2004 Form 10-Q, and
we are adopting the annual disclosures with this June 30, 2004 Form 10-K. The
adoption of SFAS No. 132R did not have an impact on our financial condition or
results of operations, as it pertains only to disclosure provisions.

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, "Accounting for Certain
Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity." SFAS
No. 150 provides guidance on the appropriate classification for and accounting
of financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. It
requires that financial instruments be classified as a liability (or an asset in
certain circumstances) if they are within the scope of the Statement. The
Statement was effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after
May 31, 2003 and otherwise was effective at the beginning of the first interim
period beginning after June 15, 2003. We adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 150
as of July 1, 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 150 did not have a material impact
on our results of operations or our financial condition.

In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46,
"Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities" ("FIN 46"), to expand upon and
strengthen existing accounting guidance that addresses when a company should
include in its financial statements the assets, liabilities and activities of
another entity. Until now, one company generally has included another entity in
its consolidated financial statements only if it controlled the entity through
voting interests. FIN 46 changes that by requiring a variable interest entity,
as defined, to be consolidated by a company if that company is subject to a
majority of the risk of loss from the variable interest entity's activities or
is entitled to receive a majority of the entity's residual returns or both. FIN
46 also requires disclosures about variable interest entities that the company
is not required to consolidate but in which it has a significant variable
interest. The provisions of FIN 46 have been adopted and we determined that
there are no variable interest entities which would require consolidation or
disclosure at this time.

19



SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

All statements made by us in both this annual report and in other
contexts, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities,
events or developments that we intend, expect, project, believe or anticipate
will or may occur in the future, are forward-looking statements. Such statements
are based upon certain assumptions and assessments made by us in light of our
experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected
future developments and other factors we believe to be appropriate. The
forward-looking statements included in this report are also subject to a number
of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to economic, competitive,
governmental and technological factors affecting our operations, markets,
customers, products, services and prices.

Specific influences relating to these forward-looking statements include,
but are not limited to:

- the potential for loss of larger programs or key customer
relationships;

- the effect of consolidation of customers within key market
channels;

- the continued solvency of key customers;

- the success and cost of new product development efforts;

- lack of market acceptance of new products;

- changes in demand for our products, which may result from loss
of brand reputation or customer goodwill;

- changes in market trends;

- the extent to which future business acquisitions are completed
and acceptably integrated;

- the possible occurrence of product recalls;

- efficiencies in plant operations, including the ability to
optimize overhead utilization in non-food operations;

- fluctuations in material costs;

- maintenance of competitive position with respect to other
manufacturers, including import sources of production;

- dependence on key personnel;

- stability of labor relations;

- dependence on contract copackers;

- effect of governmental regulations, including environmental
matters;

- legislation and litigation affecting the future administration
of CDSOA;

- changes in income tax laws; and

- innumerable other factors.

Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance,
and the actual results, developments and business decisions may differ from
those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no
obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Our cash and cash equivalents have been maintained only with maturities of
90 days or less. These financial instruments may be subject to interest rate
risk through lost income should interest rates increase during their limited
term to maturity. As of June 30, 2004, there was no long-term debt outstanding.
Future borrowings, if any, would bear interest at negotiated rates and would be
subject to interest rate risk. We do not believe that a hypothetical adverse
change of 10% in interest rates would have a material effect on our financial
position.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

20



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Directors and Shareholders
Lancaster Colony Corporation
Columbus, Ohio

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Lancaster
Colony Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of June 30, 2004 and
2003, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity,
and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2004.
Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Table of
Contents at Item 15. These consolidated financial statements and financial
statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Lancaster Colony Corporation
and subsidiaries as of June 30, 2004 and 2003, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
June 30, 2004, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement
schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial
statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the
information set forth therein.

As discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements, effective
in July 1, 2002, the Company changed its method of accounting for goodwill and
other intangible assets to conform to Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 142.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
- -------------------------
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Columbus, Ohio
September 8, 2004

21



LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS



June 30
--------------------------
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA) 2004 2003
- ----------------------------------------- --------- ----------

ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and equivalents..................................................... $ 178,503 $ 142,847
Receivables (less allowance for doubtful accounts,
2004 - $1,819; 2003 - $1,952).......................................... 94,623 88,583

Inventories:
Raw materials and supplies............................................. 45,277 42,957
Finished goods and work in process..................................... 109,799 116,455
--------- ----------
Total inventories...................................................... 155,076 159,412
Deferred income taxes and other current assets........................... 22,803 23,543
--------- ----------
Total current assets................................................. 451,005 414,385

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
Land, buildings and improvements......................................... 118,693 118,457
Machinery and equipment.................................................. 354,112 343,419
--------- ----------
Total cost............................................................. 472,805 461,876
Less accumulated depreciation............................................ 313,311 300,765
--------- ----------
Property, plant and equipment - net.................................. 159,494 161,111

OTHER ASSETS:
Goodwill (net of accumulated amortization,
2004 and 2003 - $15,136)............................................... 79,187 75,212
Other intangible assets - net............................................ 5,459 435
Other noncurrent assets.................................................. 17,742 16,573
--------- ----------
TOTAL.............................................................. $ 712,887 $ 667,716
========= ==========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable......................................................... $ 47,383 $ 41,983
Accrued liabilities...................................................... 45,348 42,940
--------- ----------
Total current liabilities............................................ 92,731 84,923
OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES................................................ 21,576 27,811
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES....................................................... 11,795 7,317
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock - authorized 3,050,000 shares;
Outstanding - none
Common stock - authorized 75,000,000 shares;
Outstanding, 2004 - 35,472,163; 2003 - 35,770,663..................... 69,809 65,864
Retained earnings........................................................ 885,161 836,928
Accumulated other comprehensive loss..................................... (5,542) (9,151)
--------- ----------
Total.................................................................. 949,428 893,641
Common stock in treasury, at cost........................................ (362,643) (345,976)
--------- ----------
Total shareholders' equity............................................... 586,785 547,665
--------- ----------
TOTAL.............................................................. $ 712,887 $ 667,716
========= ==========


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

22



LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME



Years Ended June 30
----------------------------------------------
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) 2004 2003 2002
- --------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------

NET SALES.............................................. $ 1,096,953 $ 1,106,800 $ 1,129,687
COST OF SALES.......................................... 873,267 862,940 876,122
----------- ----------- -----------
GROSS MARGIN........................................... 223,686 243,860 253,565
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES........... 97,885 99,032 119,196
RESTRUCTURING AND IMPAIRMENT CHARGE.................... 1,058 4,885 -
----------- ----------- -----------
OPERATING INCOME....................................... 124,743 139,943 134,369
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense.................................... - - (54)
Other income - Continued Dumping and Subsidy
Offset Act........................................ 1,987 39,177 15,588
Interest income and other - net..................... 1,734 1,681 (561)
----------- ----------- -----------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES............................. 128,464 180,801 149,342
TAXES BASED ON INCOME.................................. 48,462 68,255 57,402
----------- ----------- -----------
NET INCOME ............................................ $ 80,002 $ 112,546 $ 91,940
=========== =========== ===========
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE:
Basic and Diluted................................... $ 2.24 $ 3.11 $ 2.49
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
Basic............................................... 35,708 36,184 36,850
Diluted............................................. 35,778 36,243 36,910


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

23



LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS



Years Ended June 30
------------------------------------------
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS) 2004 2003 2002
- ---------------------- ---------- --------- ----------

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income................................................ $ 80,002 $ 112,546 $ 91,940
Adjustments to reconcile net income
to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization........................... 31,267 31,669 35,287
(Recovery of) provision for losses on accounts
receivable............................................ (1,174) 667 16,405
Deferred income taxes and other noncash charges......... 3,683 2,810 (1,754)
Restructuring and impairment charge..................... 848 3,824 -
(Gain) loss on sale of property......................... (751) 21 144
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables........................................... (3,297) 20,100 (17,860)
Inventories........................................... 5,431 (11,161) 36,136
Other current assets.................................. 121 78 329
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.............. 3,563 (66) 164
---------- --------- ----------
Net cash provided by operating activities........... 119,693 160,488 160,791
---------- --------- ----------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired........................ (20,568) (3,000) (2,250)
Payments on property additions............................ (18,172) (29,941) (22,546)
Proceeds from sale of property............................ 1,341 1,550 336
Other - net............................................... (4,632) (5,771) (1,699)
---------- --------- ----------
Net cash used in investing activities............... (42,031) (37,162) (26,159)
---------- --------- ----------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payment of dividends...................................... (31,769) (28,152) (26,128)
Purchase of treasury stock................................ (16,667) (35,552) (28,275)
Common stock issued, including stock issued upon
exercise of stock options............................... 3,634 4,340 6,265
Increase (decrease) in cash overdraft balance............. 2,776 (4,503) (466)
Payment of short-term bank loans.......................... - - (4,500)
Payments on long-term debt, including acquisition
debt payoff............................................. - - (3,040)
---------- --------- ----------
Net cash used in financing activities............... (42,026) (63,867) (56,144)
---------- --------- ----------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash...................... 20 10 17
---------- --------- ----------
Net change in cash and equivalents........................... 35,656 59,469 78,505
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year.................... 142,847 83,378 4,873
---------- --------- ----------
Cash and equivalents at end of year.......................... $ 178,503 $ 142,847 $ 83,378
========== ========= ==========


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

24



LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY




COMMON STOCK ACCUMULATED
OUTSTANDING OTHER TOTAL
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, ----------------- RETAINED COMPREHENSIVE TREASURY SHAREHOLDERS'
EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) SHARES AMOUNT EARNINGS INCOME (LOSS) STOCK EQUITY
- ---------------------- ------ ------- ---------- ------------- --------- -------------

BALANCE, JUNE 30, 2001........ 37,253 $55,229 $ 686,722 $ 99 $(282,149) $ 459,901
------ ------- ---------- ------------- --------- -------------
Net income.................... 91,940 91,940
Translation adjustment........ 17 17
Minimum pension liability,
net of $1,777 tax effect... (2,868) (2,868)
-------------
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME.......... 89,089
-------------
Cash dividends - common
stock ($0.71 per share).... (26,128) (26,128)
Purchase of treasury shares... (869) (28,275) (28,275)
Shares issued upon
exercise of stock
options including
related tax benefits....... 214 6,690 6,690
------ ------- ---------- ------------- --------- -------------
BALANCE, JUNE 30, 2002........ 36,598 61,919 752,534 (2,752) (310,424) 501,277
------ ------- ---------- ------------- --------- -------------
Net income.................... 112,546 112,546
Translation adjustment........ 10 10
Minimum pension liability,
net of $3,862 tax effect... (6,409) (6,409)
-------------
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME.......... 106,147
-------------
Cash dividends - common
stock ($0.78 per share).... (28,152) (28,152)
Purchase of treasury shares... (948) (35,552) (35,552)
Shares issued upon
exercise of stock
options including
related tax benefits....... 120 3,945 3,945
------ ------- ---------- ------------- --------- -------------
BALANCE, JUNE 30, 2003........ 35,770 65,864 836,928 (9,151) (345,976) 547,665
------ ------- ---------- ------------- --------- -------------
Net income.................... 80,002 80,002
Translation adjustment........ 20 20
Minimum pension liability,
net of $2,163 tax effect... 3,589 3,589
-------------
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME.......... 83,611
-------------
Cash dividends - common
stock ($0.89 per share).... (31,769) (31,769)
Purchase of treasury shares... (408) (16,667) (16,667)
Shares issued upon
exercise of stock
options including
related tax benefits....... 110 3,945 3,945
------ ------- ---------- ------------- --------- -------------
BALANCE, JUNE 30, 2004........ 35,472 $69,809 $ 885,161 $ (5,542) $(362,643) $ 586,785
====== ======= ========== ============= ========= =============


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

25



LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(TABULAR DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
Lancaster Colony Corporation and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, collectively
referred to as "we," "us," "our," "registrant," or "the Company." All
significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in
consolidation.

USE OF ESTIMATES

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires that
we make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the
consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant estimates
included in these consolidated financial statements include allowance for
doubtful accounts receivable, net realizable value of inventories, useful lives
for the calculation of depreciation and amortization, impairments of long-lived
assets, accruals for marketing and merchandising programs, pension and
postretirement assumptions, as well as expenses related to distribution and
self-insurance. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

CASH EQUIVALENTS

We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with maturities of
three months or less to be cash equivalents. As a result of our cash management
system, checks issued but not presented to the banks for payment may create
negative book cash balances. Such negative balances are included in other
accrued liabilities and totaled $2.8 million and $-0- as of June 30, 2004 and
2003, respectively.

RECEIVABLES AND THE ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

We provide an allowance for doubtful accounts based on the aging of
accounts receivable balances, historical write-off experience and on-going
reviews of our trade receivables. Measurement of potential losses requires
credit review of existing customer relationships, consideration of historical
effects of relevant observable data, including present economic conditions such
as delinquency rates and the economic health of customers.

CREDIT RISK

Financial instruments which potentially subject us to concentrations of
credit risk consist primarily of cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable.
The carrying amounts of these financial instruments approximate fair value. We
place our cash equivalents with high-quality institutions and, by policy, limit
the amount of credit exposure to any one institution. Concentration of credit
risk with respect to trade accounts receivable is mitigated by having a large
and diverse customer base.

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. We use the straight-line
method of computing depreciation for financial reporting purposes based on the
estimated useful lives of the corresponding assets. Estimated useful lives for
buildings and improvements range from two to forty-five years while machinery
and equipment range from two to twenty years. For tax purposes, we generally
compute depreciation using accelerated methods. See Note 14 for discussion of
asset impairment in the current fiscal year.

LONG-LIVED ASSETS

We monitor the recoverability of the carrying value of our long-lived
assets by periodically considering whether or not indicators of impairment are
present. If such indicators are present, we determine if the assets are
recoverable by comparing the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows to the
assets' carrying amount. Our cash flows are based on historical results adjusted
to reflect our best estimate of future market and operating conditions. If the
carrying amounts are greater, then the assets are not recoverable. In that
instance,

26



LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
(TABULAR DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

we compare the carrying amounts to the fair value to determine the amount of the
impairment to be recorded.

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

In accordance with SFAS No. 142, as of July 1, 2002, goodwill is no longer
being amortized. Intangible assets with lives restricted by contractual, legal,
or other means continue to be amortized over their useful lives. Also in
accordance with SFAS No. 142, as of April 30, 2004 and 2003, we completed asset
impairment assessments, and such assessments indicated that there was no
impairment. We periodically evaluate the future economic benefit of the recorded
goodwill and other long-lived assets when events or circumstances indicate
potential recoverability concerns. This evaluation is based on consideration of
expected future undiscounted cash flows and other operating factors. Carrying
amounts are adjusted appropriately when determined to have been impaired. See
further discussion and disclosure in Note 4.

REVENUE RECOGNITION

We recognize net sales and related cost of sales at the time of shipment
of the products, or at the time when all substantial risks of ownership change,
if later. Net sales are recorded net of estimated sales discounts, returns and
certain sales incentives, including coupons and rebates.

ADVERTISING EXPENSE

We expense advertising as it is incurred. Advertising expense represents
less than 1% of sales in each of the three years ended June 30, 2004.

SHIPPING AND HANDLING COSTS

Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales.

STOCK-BASED EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION PLANS

At June 30, 2004, we had a stock-based compensation plan, which is
described more fully in Note 10. As permitted by SFAS No. 123, as amended by
SFAS No. 148, we have elected to follow Accounting Principles Board ("APB")
Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" and related
interpretations, in accounting for our stock-based compensation. Under APB
Opinion No. 25, because the exercise price of the stock options was at least
equal to the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant, no
compensation expense was recognized.

The weighted average per share fair value of options granted during fiscal
year 2003 was $7.18.

The fair value of the options presented above was estimated at the date of
grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following assumptions
were used for options granted in 2003: risk free interest rate of 1.76%;
dividend yield of 2.15%; volatility factor of the expected market price of our
common stock of 33.34%; and a weighted average expected option life of 2.5
years.

Had compensation cost for the plan been determined based on the fair value
at the grant dates for awards under the plan consistent with the method of SFAS
No. 123, our net income and earnings per share would have been reduced to the
pro forma amounts indicated below for the years ended June 30:



2004 2003 2002
-------- --------- --------

Net income.................................... As reported $ 80,002 $ 112,546 $ 91,940
............................................... Pro forma $ 79,595 $ 110,339 $ 91,799
Earnings per Share:
Basic and Diluted........................... As reported $ 2.24 $ 3.11 $ 2.49
Basic....................................... Pro forma $ 2.23 $ 3.05 $ 2.49
Diluted..................................... Pro forma $ 2.22 $ 3.04 $ 2.49


27



LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
(TABULAR DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

OTHER INCOME

During the second quarter of fiscal 2004, we recognized as income
approximately $2.0 million being distributed to us by the U.S. Customs and
Border Protection Service consistent with the terms of the Continued Dumping and
Subsidy Offset Act of 2000 ("CDSOA"). In fiscal 2003, approximately $39.2
million received under CDSOA was recognized in the fiscal second quarter. In
fiscal 2002, approximately $15.6 million received under CDSOA was recognized in
the fiscal third quarter. These amounts are recorded as other income in the
accompanying financial statements. See further discussion at Note 13.

PER SHARE INFORMATION

We account for earnings per share under SFAS No. 128. Net income per
common share is computed based on the weighted average number of shares of
common stock and common stock equivalents (stock options) outstanding during
each period.

Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing
income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common
shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by
dividing income available to common shareholders by the diluted weighted average
number of common shares outstanding during the period, which includes the
dilutive potential common shares associated with outstanding stock options.
There are no adjustments to net income necessary in the calculation of basic and
diluted earnings per share.

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Comprehensive income includes changes in equity that result from
transactions and economic events from nonowner sources. Comprehensive income is
composed of two subsets - net income and other comprehensive loss. Included in
other comprehensive loss are foreign currency translation adjustments for which
there are no related income tax effects and a minimum pension liability
adjustment which is recorded net of a related tax provision/(benefit) of $2.2
million, ($3.9) million, and ($1.8) million in 2004, 2003 and 2002,
respectively. These adjustments are accumulated within the Consolidated Balance
Sheet under the caption "Accumulated other comprehensive loss." As of June 30,
2004, 2003 and 2002, accumulated other comprehensive loss was comprised of the
following:



2004 2003 2002
-------- --------- --------

Cumulative translation adjustments........................... $ 146 $ 126 $ 116
Minimum pension liability adjustment......................... (5,688) (9,277) (2,868)
------- -------- --------
$(5,542) $ (9,151) $ (2,752)
======= ======== ========


BUSINESS SEGMENTS

The business segments information for 2004, 2003 and 2002 is included in
Note 15 of the consolidated financial statements.

RECLASSIFICATIONS

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the
current year presentation.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In December 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and
Modernization Act of 2003 ("the Act") was signed into law. The Act introduced a
prescription drug benefit under Medicare Part D and a federal subsidy to
sponsors of retirement health care plans that provide a benefit that is at least
actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D. In accordance with Financial
Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Staff Position No. 106-1, we elected to
defer recognizing the effect of the Act on the accounting for our postretirement
benefit plans until authoritative accounting guidance was issued. In May 2004,
the FASB issued Staff Position No. 106-2, which provided final guidance on
accounting for the Act. We will adopt the provisions of the Staff Position No.
106-2 in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005. Therefore, amounts

28



LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
(TABULAR DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

included in the financial statements related to our postretirement benefit plans
do not reflect the effects of the Act. The provisions of the Act are not
expected to have a material effect on our results of operations, cash flow or
financial position.

In December 2003, the FASB issued Revised SFAS No. 132R, "Employers'
Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits." SFAS No. 132R
revises the annual disclosure requirements for pension and postretirement plans
to include additional disclosures about assets, obligations, cash flows, and net
periodic benefit costs of defined benefit pension and other defined benefit
postretirement plans. SFAS No. 132R also revises the interim disclosure
requirements to include disclosures of the net periodic benefit costs for each
period in which an income statement is presented and the employer's
contributions paid and expected to be paid during the current fiscal year, if
the contributions are significantly different than previously disclosed amounts.
The Statement was effective for financial statements with fiscal years ending
after December 15, 2003. For interim-period disclosures, the Statement was
effective for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2003. We adopted this
Statement for interim-period disclosures with our March 31, 2004 Form 10-Q, and
we are adopting the annual disclosures with this June 30, 2004 Form 10-K. The
adoption of SFAS No. 132R did not have an impact on our financial condition or
results of operations, as it pertains only to disclosure provisions.

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, "Accounting for Certain
Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity." SFAS
No. 150 provides guidance on the appropriate classification for and accounting
of financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. It
requires that financial instruments be classified as a liability (or an asset in
certain circumstances) if they are within the scope of the Statement. The
Statement was effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after
May 31, 2003 and otherwise was effective at the beginning of the first interim
period beginning after June 15, 2003. We adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 150
as of July 1, 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 150 did not have a material impact
on our results of operations or our financial condition.

In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46,
"Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities" ("FIN 46"), to expand upon and
strengthen existing accounting guidance that addresses when a company should
include in its financial statements the assets, liabilities and activities of
another entity. Until now, one company generally has included another entity in
its consolidated financial statements only if it controlled the entity through
voting interests. FIN 46 changes that by requiring a variable interest entity,
as defined, to be consolidated by a company if that company is subject to a
majority of the risk of loss from the variable interest entity's activities or
is entitled to receive a majority of the entity's residual returns or both. FIN
46 also requires disclosures about variable interest entities that the company
is not required to consolidate but in which it has a significant variable
interest. The provisions of FIN 46 have been adopted and we determined that
there are no variable interest entities which would require consolidation or
disclosure at this time.

NOTE 2 - ACQUISITIONS

On December 12, 2003, we completed the acquisition of substantially all
the operating assets of Warren Frozen Foods, Inc. ("Warren"), a privately owned
producer and marketer of frozen noodle and pasta products based in Altoona,
Iowa. Warren has a well-recognized presence in the industrial and foodservice
markets and will complement our existing frozen noodle operation, which has a
greater presence in retail markets. Warren is reported in our Specialty Foods
segment, and its results of operations have been included in our consolidated
statement of income since December 12, 2003.

Under the terms of the purchase agreement, we acquired certain personal
and real property including fixed assets, inventory and accounts receivable, and
assumed certain liabilities. The purchase price was approximately $21.0 million,
including an estimated net asset adjustment of approximately $461,000 as
determined under the terms of the purchase agreement. This estimated net asset
adjustment is recorded in accounts payable on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at
June 30, 2004 and is subject to the review by and agreement of the seller, but
we do not expect any significant change to the estimated amount.

29



LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
(TABULAR DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

The following purchase price allocation is based on the estimated fair
value of the net assets acquired:



BALANCE SHEET CAPTIONS ALLOCATION
---------------------- ----------

Receivables........................................................................ $ 1,519
Inventories........................................................................ 1,095
Property, Plant and Equipment (as determined by independent appraisal)............. 10,062
Goodwill (tax deductible).......................................................... 3,975
Intangibles (as determined by independent appraisal)............................... 5,300
Current Liabilities................................................................ (922)
----------
Total Purchase Price............................................................. $ 21,029
Less: Noncash Net Asset Adjustment................................................. (461)
----------
Total Cash Purchase Price........................................................ $ 20,568
==========


The intangible assets listed in the allocation above consist of $4.1
million of customer lists and $1.2 million of non-compete agreements. The
customer lists have been assigned a useful life of twelve years. The non-compete
agreements have been assigned a useful life of eight years based on the terms of
the non-compete agreement.

During September 2000, we acquired all of the outstanding stock of Sister
Schubert's Homemade Rolls, Inc. for $32.4 million, net of cash acquired. Sister
Schubert's is a manufacturer and marketer of frozen, partially baked yeast rolls
and related products. We made additional payments of $3.0 million and $2.3
million in fiscal years 2003 and 2002, respectively, as required under the terms
of a contingent payment arrangement associated with the Sister Schubert's
acquisition. This contingent payment arrangement continued through calendar
2003, but no payment was required in fiscal 2004, the last year of the
arrangement.

These acquisitions were accounted for under the purchase method of
accounting and the non-cash aspects have been excluded from the accompanying
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The results of operations of these
entities have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the
dates of acquisition and are immaterial in relation to the consolidated totals.

NOTE 3 - INVENTORIES

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Inventories which
comprise approximately 6% and 11% of total inventories at June 30, 2004 and
2003, respectively, are costed on a last-in, first-out ("LIFO") basis.
Replacement cost for this inventory would have been higher by approximately $3.3
million and $7.4 million at June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Inventories
which are costed by various other methods approximate actual cost on a first-in,
first-out ("FIFO") basis. During fiscal 2004, 2003 and 2002, certain inventory
quantity reductions resulted in a liquidation of LIFO inventory layers carried
at lower costs which prevailed in prior years. The fiscal 2004, 2003 and 2002
effect of the liquidations was an increase in net earnings of approximately $2.6
million, $4.4 million and $2.0 million after taxes, or approximately $.07, $.12
and $.05 per share, respectively.

It is not practicable to segregate work in process from finished goods
inventories. We estimate, however, that work in process inventories amount to
approximately 10% of the combined total of finished goods and work in process
inventories at June 30, 2004 and 2003.

NOTE 4 - GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill attributable to the Specialty Foods and Automotive segments is
$78.2 million and $1.0 million, respectively. The increase in goodwill during
the current year is a result of the acquisition of Warren, as discussed in Note
2.

30



LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
(TABULAR DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

The following tables summarize our identifiable other intangible assets by
segment as of June 30, 2004 and 2003:



2004 2003
------- -------

SPECIALTY FOODS
Trademarks
Gross carrying value.................................................... $ 370 $ 370
Accumulated amortization................................................ (121) (112)
------- -------
Net Carrying Value...................................................... $ 249 $ 258
======= =======
Customer Lists
Gross carrying value.................................................... $ 4,100 $ -
Accumulated amortization................................................ (171) -
------- -------
Net Carrying Value...................................................... $ 3,929 $ -
======= =======
Non-compete Agreements
Gross carrying value.................................................... $ 1,200 $ -
Accumulated amortization................................................ (75) -
------- -------
Net Carrying Value...................................................... $ 1,125 $ -
======= =======
GLASSWARE AND CANDLES - CUSTOMER LISTS
Gross carrying value...................................................... $ 250 $ 250
Accumulated amortization.................................................. (94) (73)
------- -------
Net Carrying Value........................................................ $ 156 $ 177
======= =======
Total Net Carrying Value.................................................... $ 5,459 $ 435
======= =======


Amortization expense relating to these assets was approximately $276,000,
$30,000 and $30,000 for the years ended June 30, 2004, 2003 and 2002,
respectively. The amortization expense is estimated to be approximately $522,000
for each of the next five fiscal years.

The following is a reconciliation assuming goodwill and other intangible
assets had been accounted for in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 142
in fiscal 2002:



2004 2003 2002
------- -------- --------

Reported Net Income........................................ $80,002 $112,546 $ 91,940
Add back amortization of goodwill, net of taxes............ - - 2,552
------- -------- --------
Adjusted Net Income........................................ $80,002 $112,546 $ 94,492
======= ======== ========
Reported Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share.............. $ 2.24 $ 3.11 $ 2.49
Adjusted Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share.............. $ 2.24 $ 3.11 $ 2.56


NOTE 5 - SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS

We may borrow up to $125 million under the terms of an unsecured revolving
credit facility. The facility expires in February 2006 and contains certain
representations, warranties, covenants and conditions customary to credit
facilities of this nature. Under terms of the agreement, certain financial
ratios influence the extent of the all-in borrowing costs, including interest
and ongoing facility fees. At June 30, 2004, we were in compliance with all
provisions of the facility and there were no amounts outstanding under the
facility.

As of June 30, 2004, we had an uncommitted line of credit for short-term
borrowings from one bank of $25 million. The line of credit has been granted at
the discretion of the lending bank and, generally, is subject to periodic
review.

31



LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
(TABULAR DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

NOTE 6 - ACCRUED LIABILITIES

Accrued liabilities at June 30, 2004 and 2003 are composed of:



2004 2003
------- --------

Accrued compensation and employee benefits.............................. $29,751 $ 30,047
Accrued marketing and distribution...................................... 5,161 5,475
Income and other taxes.................................................. 3,308 3,074
Other................................................................... 7,128 4,344
------- --------
Total accrued liabilities............................................... $45,348 $ 42,940
======= ========


NOTE 7 - LONG-TERM DEBT

As of June 30, 2004 and 2003, we had no outstanding long-term debt.

No material debt was assumed for the purchase of property additions in
2004, 2003 and 2002. Cash payments for interest (including interest paid on
short-term borrowings) were $-0-, $-0- and $83,000 for 2004, 2003 and 2002,
respectively.

NOTE 8 - INCOME TAXES

We and our domestic subsidiaries file a consolidated Federal income tax
return. Taxes based on income for the years ended June 30, 2004, 2003 and 2002,
have been provided as follows:



2004 2003 2002
------- ------- --------

Currently payable:
Federal................................................... $38,844 $60,340 $ 52,952
State and local........................................... 6,292 7,832 6,709
------- ------- --------
Total current provision..................................... 45,136 68,172 59,661
Deferred Federal, state and local provision (credit)........ 3,326 83 (2,259)
------- ------- --------
Total taxes based on income................................. $48,462 $68,255 $ 57,402
======= ======= ========


Tax expense resulting from allocating certain tax benefits directly to
common stock totaled $311,000, $395,000 and $425,000 for 2004, 2003 and 2002,
respectively. For the years ended June 30, 2004, 2003 and 2002, our effective
tax rate varied from the statutory Federal income tax rate as a result of the
following factors:



2004 2003 2002
------- ------- ------

Statutory rate.............................................. 35.0% 35.0% 35.0%
State and local income taxes................................ 3.2% 2.8% 2.9%
ESOP dividends on allocated shares.......................... (0.4)% - -
Other....................................................... (0.1)% 0.0% 0.5%
------- ------- ------
Effective rate.............................................. 37.7% 37.8% 38.4%
======= ======= ======


32



LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
(TABULAR DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

The tax effect of temporary differences that give rise to significant
portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at June 30
follow:



2004 2003
-------- ---------

Deferred tax assets (liabilities):
Inventories........................................................... $ 7,353 $ 7,503
Employee medical and other benefits................................... 11,230 13,615
Receivable and other allowances....................................... 5,369 5,583
Other accrued liabilities............................................. 3,457 3,714
-------- ---------
Total deferred tax assets............................................... 27,409 30,415
-------- ---------
Total deferred tax liabilities - property and other..................... (19,704) (17,232)
-------- ---------
Net deferred tax asset.................................................. $ 7,705 $ 13,183
======== =========


Net current deferred tax assets totaled approximately $19.5 million and
$20.5 million for 2004 and 2003, respectively, and were included in deferred
income taxes and other current assets. Cash payments for income taxes were
approximately $44.1 million, $64.4 million and $61.0 million for 2004, 2003 and
2002, respectively.

NOTE 9 - SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

We are authorized to issue 3,050,000 shares of preferred stock consisting
of 750,000 shares of Class A Participating Preferred Stock with $1.00 par value,
1,150,000 shares of Class B Voting Preferred Stock without par value and
1,150,000 shares of Class C Nonvoting Preferred Stock without par value.

As authorized by the Board of Directors in February 2000, each share of
our outstanding common stock includes a nondetachable stock purchase right that
provides, upon becoming exercisable, for the purchase of one-hundredth of a
share of Series A Participating Preferred Shares at an exercise price of $185,
subject to certain adjustments. Alternatively, once exercisable, each right will
also entitle the holder to buy shares of common stock having a market value of
twice the exercise price. The rights may be exercised on or after the time when
a person or group of persons without the approval of the Board of Directors
acquire beneficial ownership of 15% or more of common stock or announce the
initiation of a tender or exchange offer which, if successful, would cause such
person or group to beneficially own 30% or more of the common stock. The person
or group effecting such 15% acquisition or undertaking such tender offer will
not be entitled to exercise any rights. If we are acquired in a merger or other
business combination, each right will entitle the holder, other than the
acquiring person, to purchase securities of the surviving company having a
market value equal to twice the exercise price of the rights. Until the rights
become exercisable, they may be redeemed by us at a price of $.01 per right.
These rights expire in April 2010 unless earlier redeemed by us under
circumstances permitted by the Rights Agreement.

In May 2000, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase
authorization of 3,000,000 shares of which approximately 375,000 remained
authorized for future purchase as of June 30, 2004. In August 2004, our Board of
Directors approved a share repurchase authorization of an additional 2,000,000
shares.

NOTE 10 - STOCK OPTIONS

Under the terms of the 1995 Key Employee Stock Option Plan ("Plan")
expiring in August 2005, which was approved by the shareholders in November
1995, we have reserved 3,000,000 common shares for issuance to qualified key
employees. All options granted under the Plan are exercisable at prices not less
than fair market value as of the date of grant. At June 30, 2004, 1,891,234
shares were available for future grants under the Plan. In general, options
granted under the Plan vest immediately and have a maximum term of 10 years.

33




LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
(TABULAR DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

The following summarizes for each of the three years in the period ended
June 30, 2004 the activity relating to stock options granted under the 1995 Plan
mentioned above as well as those granted under a separate shareholder approved
plan that expired in May 1995:



2004 2003 2002
------------------- ------------------ -----------------
WEIGHTED Weighted Weighted
NUMBER AVERAGE Number Average Number Average
OF EXERCISE of Exercise of Exercise
SHARES PRICE Shares Price Shares Price
--------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------

Outstanding at beginning of period... 496,941 $ 34.53 262,979 $ 28.42 478,330 $ 28.80
Exercised.......................... (109,877) 33.07 (120,424) 29.34 (214,223) 29.25
Granted............................ - - 359,800 37.26 - -
Forfeited.......................... (6,400) 35.48 (5,414) 34.73 (1,128) 29.92
--------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Outstanding at end of the period..... 380,664 $ 34.93 496,941 $ 34.53 262,979 $ 28.42
========= ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Exercisable at end of period......... 373,809 $ 34.98 466,197 $ 34.81 224,547 $ 28.93
========= ======== ======== ======== ======== ========


The following table summarizes information about the options outstanding
at June 30, 2004:



OPTIONS OUTSTANDING OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
WEIGHTED AVERAGE
-------------------------
REMAINING
GRANT RANGE OF NUMBER CONTRACTUAL EXERCISE NUMBER WEIGHTED AVERAGE
YEARS EXERCISE PRICES OUTSTANDING LIFE IN YEARS PRICE EXERCISABLE EXERCISE PRICE
- ----- --------------- ----------- ------------- -------- ----------- ----------------

1995........... $22.25 8,994 .59 $ 22.25 8,994 $ 22.25
1999........... $27.13 21,742 .59 $ 27.13 21,742 $ 27.13
2001........... $29.50-$32.45 69,464 1.86 $ 29.61 65,139 $ 29.61
2003........... $37.23-$40.95 280,464 3.75 $ 37.26 277,934 $ 37.26


NOTE 11 - PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT MEDICAL AND LIFE INSURANCE
BENEFIT PLANS

We and certain of our operating subsidiaries provide multiple defined
benefit pension and postretirement medical and life insurance benefit plans.
Benefits under the defined benefit pension plans are primarily based on
negotiated rates and years of service and cover the union workers at such
locations. We contribute to these pension plans at least the minimum amount
required by regulation or contract. We recognize the cost of pension plans and
postretirement medical and life insurance benefits as the employees render
service. Postretirement benefits are funded as incurred. We use a June 30
measurement date for all of our plans. At the end of the year, we discount our
plan liabilities using an assumed discount rate. In estimating this rate, we,
along with our third-party actuaries, review bond indices and the past history
of discount rates.

The actuarial present value of benefit obligations summarized below was
based on the following assumption:



OTHER
PENSION BENEFITS POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
---------------------- -----------------------
2004 2003 2004 2003
-------- --------- -------- --------

WEIGHTED-AVERAGE ASSUMPTION AS OF JUNE 30
Discount rate.................................. 6.25% 5.75% 6.25% 5.75%


34



LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
(TABULAR DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

The net periodic benefit costs were determined utilizing the following
beginning-of-the-year assumptions:



OTHER
PENSION BENEFITS POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
---------------------------------- --------------------------
2004 2003 2002 2004 2003 2002
-------- --------- -------- -------- ------- -------

Discount rate................................ 5.75% 6.95% 7.25% 5.75% 6.95% 7.25%
Expected long-term return on plan assets..... 9.00% 9.00% 9.00%
Health care cost trend rate.................. 9.00% 8.00% 6.00%


Our investment strategy for our defined benefit pension plan assets is to
control and manage investment risk through diversification across asset classes
and investment styles. By our current corporate guidelines, 50-85% of plan
assets may be allocated to equity securities, 15-40% to debt securities and up
to 35% to cash. We currently do not expect to make substantial changes in total
investment allocation from that of fiscal 2004. We expect that a modest
allocation to cash will exist within the plans, because each investment manager
is likely to hold limited cash in a portfolio. Our pension plan assets include
an investment of shares of our common stock with a market value of $2.9 million
and $2.7 million as of June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

The asset allocation for our pension plans at June 30 by asset category,
is as follows:



PERCENTAGE OF
PLAN ASSETS
AT JUNE 30
-----------------
ASSET CATEGORY 2004 2003
- -------------- ------ -------

Equity securities...... 69% 65%
Fixed income........... 31% 35%
------ -------
Total.................. 100% 100%
====== =======


The expected return on pension plan assets is based on our historical
experience, our pension plan investment guidelines, and our expectations for
long-term rates of return. Our pension plan investment guidelines are
established based upon an evaluation of market conditions, tolerance for risk,
and cash requirements for benefit payments.

Relevant information with respect to our defined benefit pension and
postretirement medical and life insurance benefits as of June 30, can be
summarized as follows:



OTHER
PENSION BENEFITS POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
---------------------- -----------------------
2004 2003 2004 2003
-------- --------- ---------- ---------

CHANGE IN BENEFIT OBLIGATION
Benefit obligation at beginning of year........ $ 42,236 $ 32,609 $ 4,335 $ 3,418
Service cost................................... 605 625 253 176
Interest cost.................................. 2,376 2,324 240 227
Amendments..................................... - 854 - -
Actuarial (gain) loss.......................... (2,446) 7,871 886 985
Benefits paid.................................. (2,365) (2,047) (346) (471)
-------- --------- ---------- ---------
Benefit obligation at end of year.............. $ 40,406 $ 42,236 $ 5,368 $ 4,335
-------- --------- ---------- ---------
CHANGE IN PLAN ASSETS
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year. $ 30,980 $ 29,568 $ - $ -
Actual return on plan assets................... 3,986 223 - -
Employer contributions......................... 3,111 3,236 346 471
Benefits paid.................................. (2,365) (2,047) (346) (471)
-------- --------- ---------- ---------
Fair value of plan assets at end of year....... $ 35,712 $ 30,980 $ - $ -
-------- --------- ---------- ---------


35



LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
(TABULAR DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)



OTHER
PENSION BENEFITS POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
---------------------- -----------------------
2004 2003 2004 2003
-------- --------- ---------- ---------

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDED STATUS
Under funded status............................ $ (4,694) $ (11,256) $ (5,368) $ (4,335)
Unrecognized net actuarial loss................ 10,318 14,916 1,807 957
Unrecognized prior service cost (asset)........ 2,663 2,897 (83) (90)
Unrecognized net transition obligation......... 66 126 - -
-------- --------- ---------- ---------
Prepaid (accrued) benefit cost................. $ 8,353 $ 6,683 $ (3,644) $ (3,468)
======== ========= ========== =========
AMOUNTS RECOGNIZED IN THE CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS CONSIST OF
Prepaid benefit cost(1)........................ $ 8,353 $ 6,683 $ - $ -
Accrued benefit liability(2)................... (11,566) (17,939) (3,644) (3,468)
Intangible asset(1)............................ 2,402 3,023 - -
Accumulated other comprehensive loss........... 9,164 14,916 - -
-------- --------- ---------- ---------
Net amount recognized.......................... $ 8,353 $ 6,683 $ (3,644) $ (3,468)
======== ========= ========== =========
ACCUMULATED BENEFIT OBLIGATION................. $ 40,406 $ 42,236 $ 5,368 $ 4,335
======== ========= ========== =========


- ----------
(1) Recorded in other noncurrent assets

(2) Recorded in other noncurrent liabilities

The following table discloses, in the aggregate, those pension plans with
benefit obligations in excess of the fair value of plan assets at the June 30
measurement date:



PENSION BENEFITS
---------------------
2004 2003
------- --------

Benefit obligations...................................................... $32,910 $ 42,236
Fair value of plan assets at end of year................................. $28,124 $ 30,980


SFAS No. 87, "Employers' Accounting for Pensions," requires recognition in
the balance sheet of an additional minimum liability for pension plans with
accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets. The following table
summarizes the effect of this recognition on the balance sheet at June 30:



2004 2003 2002
------- ------- --------

Minimum pension (asset) liability........................... $(6,373) $10,633 $ 7,306
Intangible (liability) asset................................ $ (621) $ 362 $ 2,661
Other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax................ $ 3,589 $(6,409) $ (2,868)
Tax expense (benefit) of other comprehensive income......... $ 2,163 $(3,862) $ (1,777)


36



LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
(TABULAR DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost
at June 30:



OTHER
PENSION BENEFITS POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
--------------------------- -----------------------
2004 2003 2002 2004 2003 2002
------- ------- ------- ------ ------ ------

COMPONENTS OF NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COST
Service cost................................. $ 605 $ 625 $ 630 $ 253 $ 176 $ 122
Interest cost................................ 2,376 2,324 2,124 240 227 182
Expected return on plan assets............... (2,508) (2,564) (2,794) - - -
Amortization of unrecognized
net loss (gain)............................ 699 125 8 36 - (34)
Amortization of prior service cost (asset)... 234 267 240 (7) (7) (7)
Change in prior service cost due to
curtailment................................ - 678 - - - -
Amortization of unrecognized net
obligation (asset) existing at transition.. 35 (19) 31 - - -
------- ------- ------- ------ ------ ------
Net periodic benefit cost.................... $ 1,441 $ 1,436 $ 239 $ 522 $ 396 $ 263
======= ======= ======= ====== ====== ======


We have not yet finalized our anticipated funding level for our pension
plans for fiscal 2005, but we expect the fiscal 2005 contribution level not to
exceed that of fiscal 2004. We expect to contribute approximately $0.4 million
to our postretirement benefit plans in fiscal 2005.

Benefits payments estimated for future years are as follows:



OTHER
PENSION POSTRETIREMENT
BENEFITS BENEFITS
-------- --------------

2005................. $ 2,490 $ 381
2006................. $ 2,610 $ 336
2007................. $ 2,720 $ 332
2008................. $ 2,840 $ 329
2009................. $ 2,960 $ 323
2010 - 2014.......... $ 16,600 $ 1,839


For other postretirement benefit measurement purposes, annual increases
in medical costs for fiscal 2004 are assumed to total approximately 12% per year
and gradually decline to 5% by approximately the year 2011 and remain level
thereafter. Annual increases in medical costs for fiscal 2003 were assumed to
total approximately 9% per year and gradually decline to 5% by approximately the
year 2011 and remain level thereafter.

Assumed health care cost rates can have a significant effect on the
amounts reported for the health care plans. A one-percentage-point change in
assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effect:



1-PERCENTAGE-POINT 1-PERCENTAGE-POINT
INCREASE DECREASE
------------------ ------------------

Effect on total of service and interest cost components............ $ 54 $ (45)
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation as of June 30, 2004.... $ 518 $ (440)


DEFINED CONTRIBUTION AND OTHER EMPLOYEE PLANS

We sponsor eight defined contribution plans established pursuant to
Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions are determined under
various formulas, and we contribute to six such plans. Costs related to such
plans totaled approximately $1.0 million for each of the years ended June 30,
2004 and 2003 and $0.9 million for the year ended June 30, 2002.

37



LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
(TABULAR DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

Certain of our subsidiaries also participate in multiemployer plans that
provide pension and postretirement health and welfare benefits to the union
workers at such locations. The contributions required by our participation in
the multiemployer plans totaled $3.8 million, $3.7 million and $3.4 million in
2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

We also sponsor an Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP"). Effective
January 1, 1998, the ESOP was frozen and all benefit accruals under and further
contributions to the ESOP ceased. All participants in the ESOP at that time were
immediately 100% vested. We have no further obligation to the ESOP.

We offer a deferred compensation plan for select employees who may elect
to defer a certain percentage of annual compensation. We do not match any
contributions. Each participant earns interest based upon the prime rate of
interest, adjusted semi-annually, on their respective deferred compensation
balance. Participants are paid out upon retirement or termination. Our liability
for total deferred compensation and accrued interest was $3.1 million and $2.3
million for the years ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Deferred
compensation expense amounted to $108,000, $75,000 and $90,000 for the years
2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

NOTE 12 - COMMITMENTS

We have operating leases with initial noncancelable lease terms in excess
of one year, covering the rental of various facilities and equipment, which
expire at various dates through fiscal 2011. Certain of these leases contain
renewal options, some provide options to purchase during the lease term and some
require contingent rentals based on usage. The future minimum rental commitments
due under these leases are summarized as follows (in thousands): 2005 - $4,518;
2006 - $2,917; 2007 - $1,340; 2008 - $704; 2009 - $550; thereafter - $600.

Total rent expense, including short-term cancelable leases, during fiscal
years ended June 30, 2004, 2003 and 2002 is summarized as follows:



2004 2003 2002
------ ------ -------

Operating leases:
Minimum rentals............................................... $5,446 $5,126 $ 5,130
Contingent rentals............................................ 381 360 392
Short-term cancelable leases.................................... 2,094 2,786 2,706
------ ------ -------
Total....................................................... $7,921 $8,272 $ 8,228
====== ====== =======


NOTE 13 - CONTINGENCIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

At June 30, 2004, we are a party to various legal and environmental
matters which have arisen in the ordinary course of business. Such matters did
not have a material adverse effect on the current year results of operations
and, in our opinion, their ultimate disposition will not have a material adverse
effect on our consolidated financial statements.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2004, we recognized as income
approximately $2.0 million being distributed to us by the U.S. Customs and
Border Protection Service ("CBP") consistent with the terms of CDSOA. In fiscal
2003, approximately $39.2 million received under CDSOA was recognized in the
fiscal second quarter. In fiscal 2002, approximately $15.6 million received
under CDSOA was recognized in the fiscal third quarter. These amounts are
recorded as other income in the accompanying financial statements. The CDSOA,
which applies to our candle operations, is intended to redress unfair dumping of
imported products through cash payments to eligible affected companies. Payments
to be received in future years under CDSOA are subject to many variables outside
of our control and, accordingly, the related amounts, if any, are not subject to
reasonable estimation at the present time. We are aware that certain other
candle manufacturers have initiated legal proceedings against the CBP, claiming
a right to share in the total proceeds previously paid, or to be paid, to candle
manufacturers currently considered eligible recipients under CDSOA. There also
exists other litigation initiated by plaintiffs other than candle manufacturers
that more broadly challenges various aspects of CDSOA, including its
constitutionality. To date, those matters that

38



LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
(TABULAR DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

have been ruled upon by trial courts have been adjudicated in favor of the CBP.
However, several matters await ruling at the trial court level or the results of
plaintiff's appeal to the applicable Federal appeals court. If the CBP is
ultimately unable to prevail in these matters, it might become asserted that the
payments we have received should be reduced by an undetermined amount through
either smaller future distributions or refunds to the CBP.

Certain of our automotive accessory products carry explicit limited
warranties that extend from 12 months to the life of the product, based on terms
that are generally accepted in the marketplace. Our policy is to record a
provision for the expected cost of the warranty-related claims at the time of
the sale, and periodically adjust the provision to reflect actual experience.
The amount of warranty liability accrued reflects our best estimate of the
expected future cost of honoring obligations under the warranty plans. The
warranty accrual as of June 30, 2004 and 2003 is immaterial to our financial
condition, and the change in the accrual for the current year of fiscal 2004 is
immaterial to our results of operations and cash flows.

NOTE 14 - RESTRUCTURING AND IMPAIRMENT CHARGE

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004, we recorded a restructuring and
impairment charge of approximately $1.1 million ($0.7 million after taxes) for
costs incurred as of June 30, 2004 related to the closing of our automotive
floor mat manufacturing facility located in Waycross, Georgia. Manufacturing
effectively ceased as of June 30, 2004. Approximately 110 hourly and salary
employees were impacted by this shutdown. The decision to close the plant was
brought on by a decline in demand for compression molded rubber floor mats that
resulted in excess segment capacity. The cash costs associated with this closure
totaled approximately $0.3 million and included termination benefits and other
closing costs, such as costs to remove and relocate certain equipment, costs to
prepare the building for sale, and various other charges. Approximately $0.8
million of the restructuring and impairment charge relates to this facility's
impairment of property, plant and equipment.

An analysis of our Waycross restructuring activity and the related
liability in the Automotive segment is as follows:



2004 2004 ACCRUAL AT
CHARGE CASH OUTLAYS JUNE 30, 2004
------- ------------ -------------

RESTRUCTURING AND IMPAIRMENT CHARGE
Employee Separation Costs............................ $ 233 $ (128) $ 105
Other Costs.......................................... 39 (5) 34
------- ------------ ------------
Subtotal............................................. 272 $ (133) $ 139
============ ============
Asset Impairment..................................... 786
-------
Total Restructuring and Impairment Charge.......... $ 1,058
=======


The restructuring accrual is located in account payable and accrued
liabilities at June 30, 2004. We expect that the remaining cash outlays for this
plan will occur over the next fiscal year.

In fiscal 2003, we recorded a restructuring and impairment charge of
approximately $4.9 million ($3.0 million after taxes) related to the
consolidation of certain glass manufacturing operations. The charge consisted of
employee separation costs, pension curtailment costs, closure and cleanup costs,
and the writedown of property, plant and equipment having no future utility as a
result of the restructuring decision. The plant consolidation was substantially
completed by June 2003.

39



LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
(TABULAR DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

An analysis of this restructuring activity and the related liability
within the Glassware and Candles segment is as follows:



2003 2003 ACCRUAL AT 2004 ACCRUAL AT
CHARGE CASH OUTLAYS JUNE 30, 2003 CASH OUTLAYS JUNE 30, 2004
------ ------------ ------------- ------------ -------------

RESTRUCTURING AND IMPAIRMENT CHARGE
Employee Separation Costs............ $1,063 $ (974) $ 89 $ (68) $ 21
Closing and Cleanup Costs............ 201 (87) 114 (9) 105
------ ------------ ------------- ------------ -------------
Subtotal............................. 1,264 $ (1,061) $ 203 $ (77) $ 126
============ ============= ============ =============
Property and Equipment Impairment.... 2,943
Pension Curtailment.................. 678
------
Total Restructuring and
Impairment Charge................. $4,885
======


NOTE 15 - BUSINESS SEGMENTS INFORMATION

We have evaluated our operations in accordance with SFAS No. 131 and have
determined that the business is separated into three distinct operating and
reportable product categories: "Specialty Foods," "Glassware and Candles" and
"Automotive."

SPECIALTY FOODS - includes the production and marketing of a family of
pourable and refrigerated produce salad dressings, croutons, sauces,
refrigerated produce vegetable and fruit dips, chip dips, dry and frozen pasta
and egg noodles, caviar, frozen ready-to-bake pies, frozen hearth-baked breads,
and frozen yeast rolls. Salad dressings, sauces, croutons, frozen pasta and egg
noodles, frozen bread products and frozen yeast rolls are sold to both retail
and foodservice markets. The remaining products of this business segment are
primarily directed to retail markets.

GLASSWARE AND CANDLES - includes the production and marketing of table and
giftware consisting of domestic glassware, both machine pressed and machine
blown; imported glassware; candles in a variety of popular sizes, shapes and
scents; potpourri and related scented products; industrial glass and lighting
components; and glass floral containers. This segment's products are sold
primarily to retail markets such as mass merchandisers and food and drug stores.

AUTOMOTIVE - includes the production and marketing for original equipment
manufacturers, importers and the auto aftermarket of rubber, vinyl and
carpet-on-rubber floor mats; truck and trailer splash guards; pickup truck bed
mats; aluminum accessories for pickup trucks and vans; and a broad line of
additional automotive accessories.

Operating income represents net sales less operating expenses related to
the business segments. Expenses of a general corporate nature have not been
allocated to the business segments. All intercompany transactions have been
eliminated, and intersegment revenues are not significant. Identifiable assets
for each segment include those assets used in its operations and intangible
assets allocated to purchased businesses. Corporate assets consist principally
of cash, cash equivalents and deferred income taxes.

40



LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
(TABULAR DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

The following sets forth certain financial information attributable to our
business segments for the three years ended June 30, 2004, 2003 and 2002:



2004 2003 2002
----------- ----------- -----------

NET SALES(1)
Specialty Foods................................. $ 639,226 $ 609,994 $ 579,940
Glassware and Candles........................... 231,125 251,437 314,591
Automotive...................................... 226,602 245,369 235,156
----------- ----------- -----------
Total....................................... $ 1,096,953 $ 1,106,800 $ 1,129,687
=========== =========== ===========
OPERATING INCOME
Specialty Foods................................. $ 109,391 $ 116,068 $ 113,710
Glassware and Candles........................... 9,298 12,432 10,547
Automotive...................................... 11,980 17,351 15,489
Corporate Expenses.............................. (5,926) (5,908) (5,377)
----------- ----------- -----------
Total....................................... $ 124,743 $ 139,943 $ 134,369
=========== =========== ===========
IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS(1)
Specialty Foods................................. $ 221,953 $ 194,254 $ 182,819
Glassware and Candles........................... 186,334 205,651 224,819
Automotive...................................... 106,191 103,685 104,872
Corporate....................................... 198,409 164,126 106,195
----------- ----------- -----------
Total....................................... $ 712,887 $ 667,716 $ 618,705
=========== =========== ===========
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
Specialty Foods................................. $ 8,790 $ 14,355 $ 4,513
Glassware and Candles........................... 4,359 7,587 13,881
Automotive...................................... 4,843 7,910 4,138
Corporate....................................... 180 89 14
----------- ----------- -----------
Total....................................... $ 18,172 $ 29,941 $ 22,546
=========== =========== ===========
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION(2)
Specialty Foods................................. $ 9,015 $ 8,227 $ 10,567
Glassware and Candles........................... 14,313 15,756 16,201
Automotive...................................... 7,776 7,539 8,299
Corporate....................................... 163 147 220
----------- ----------- -----------
Total....................................... $ 31,267 $ 31,669 $ 35,287
=========== =========== ===========


- -----------
(1) Net sales and long-lived assets are predominantly domestic.

(2) Includes goodwill and other amortization of approximately $2.8 million for
2002 recorded under the caption "Interest income and other - net" in the
accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income.

Combined net sales from the three segments attributable to Wal-Mart
Stores, Inc. totaled approximately $131 million or 12% of consolidated fiscal
2004 net sales; $137 million or 12% of consolidated fiscal 2003 net sales and
$143 million or 13% of consolidated net sales in fiscal 2002.

41



LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
(TABULAR DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

NOTE 16 - SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)



DILUTED
NET GROSS NET EARNINGS
SALES MARGIN INCOME PER SHARE(5)
----------- ---------- --------- -------------

2004
FIRST QUARTER(1)....................... $ 266,652 $ 55,807 $ 19,700 $ .55
SECOND QUARTER(2)...................... 291,196 65,051 26,650 .74
THIRD QUARTER(3)....................... 269,463 49,804 16,045 .45
FOURTH QUARTER(4)...................... 269,642 53,024 17,607 .49
----------- ---------- --------- -------------
YEAR.............................. $ 1,096,953 $ 223,686 $ 80,002 $ 2.24
=========== ========== ========= =============
2003
First quarter.......................... $ 275,821 $ 57,686 $ 20,556 $ .56
Second quarter(6)...................... 307,669 74,232 51,979 1.43
Third quarter(7)....................... 259,535 53,573 18,047 .50
Fourth quarter(8)...................... 263,775 58,369 21,964 .61
----------- ---------- --------- -------------
Year.............................. $ 1,106,800 $ 243,860 $ 112,546 $ 3.11
=========== ========== ========= =============


- ---------
(1) Included in the first quarter's earnings is income of approximately $1.0
million, net of taxes, or approximately $.03 per share related to the
liquidation of certain LIFO inventories carried at prior years' lower
costs.

(2) Included in the second quarter's earnings are a) income of approximately
$0.7 million, net of taxes, or approximately $.02 per share related to the
liquidation of certain LIFO inventories carried at prior years' lower
costs, b) income of approximately $1.2 million, net of taxes, or
approximately $.03 per share related to funds received under the Continued
Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000, and c) income of approximately
$0.8 million, net of taxes, or approximately $.02 per share related to the
recovery of bad debts previously written off.

(3) Included in the third quarter's earnings is income of approximately $0.5
million, net of taxes, or approximately $.01 per share related to the
liquidation of certain LIFO inventories carried at prior years' lower
costs.

(4) Included in the fourth quarter's earnings are a) a restructuring charge of
approximately $0.7 million, net of taxes, or approximately $.02 per share
related to the closing of our automotive floor mat manufacturing facility
located in Waycross, Georgia, and b) income of approximately $0.5 million,
net of taxes, or approximately $.01 per share related to the liquidation
of certain LIFO inventories carried at prior years' lower costs.

(5) Quarterly diluted earnings per share do not add due to rounding.

(6) Included in the second quarter's earnings are a) a restructuring charge of
approximately $3.0 million, net of taxes, or approximately $.08 per share
related to the restructuring of some of our glass manufacturing
facilities, b) income of approximately $1.7 million, after taxes, or
approximately $.05 per share related to the liquidation of certain LIFO
inventories carried at prior years' lower costs and c) income of
approximately $24.5 million, net of taxes, or approximately $.67 per share
related to funds received under the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset
Act of 2000.

(7) Included in the third quarter's earnings is income of approximately $1.5
million, net of taxes, or approximately $.04 per share related to the
liquidation of certain LIFO inventories carried at prior years' lower
costs.

(8) Included in the fourth quarter's earnings is income of approximately $1.2
million, net of taxes, or approximately $.03 per share related to the
liquidation of certain LIFO inventories carried at prior years' lower
costs.

42



ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. As of the end of the
period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer evaluated, with the participation of management, the
effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules
13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act")). Based upon this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and
procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in
the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded,
processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the
Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms.

No changes were made to our internal control over financial reporting (as
such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act)
during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are
reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial
reporting.

PART III

Items 10 through 14 are incorporated herein by reference to the sections
captioned "Nomination and Election of Directors," "Executive Compensation,"
"Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners" "Certain Relationships and
Related Transactions" and "Audit and Related Fees" in the Registrant's
Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be
held November 15, 2004 and to the "Supplementary Item" in Part I of this Annual
Report on Form 10-K captioned "Executive Officers of the Registrant."

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)(1) Financial Statements. The following consolidated financial
statements as of June 30, 2004 and 2003 and for each of the three years in the
period ended June 30, 2004 together with the report thereon of Deloitte & Touche
LLP dated September 8, 2004 are included in Item 8 of this report:

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2004 and 2003

Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended June 30, 2004, 2003
and 2002

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended June 30, 2004,
2003 and 2002

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the years ended June
30, 2004, 2003 and 2002

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules Required by Items 8 and 15(d).
Included in Part IV of this report is the following additional financial data
which should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements
included in Item 8 of this report:

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts.

Supplemental schedules not included with the additional financial data
have been omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is
shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

(a)(3) Exhibits Required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K and Item 15(c). See
Index to Exhibits following "Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts."

(b) Reports on Form 8-K. A report, dated April 29, 2004, on Form 8-K was
filed with the SEC on April 29, 2004, pursuant to Items 7 and 12, announcing the
financial results for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2004.

43



SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 and 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on this 9th day of
September, 2004.

LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION
----------------------------------------
(Registrant)

By:/s/JOHN B. GERLACH, JR.
--------------------------------------
John B. Gerlach, Jr.
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer,
President and Director

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.



SIGNATURES TITLE DATE
---------- ----- ----

/s/JOHN B. GERLACH, JR. Chairman, September 9, 2004
- ---------------------------------------- Chief Executive Officer,
John B. Gerlach, Jr. President and Director

/s/JOHN L. BOYLAN Treasurer, Vice President, September 9, 2004
- ---------------------------------------- Assistant Secretary,
John L. Boylan Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer) and Director

/s/KERRII B. ANDERSON Director September 7, 2004
- ----------------------------------------
Kerrii B. Anderson

/s/JAMES B. BACHMANN Director September 3, 2004
- ----------------------------------------
James B. Bachmann

/s/ROBERT L. FOX Director September 3, 2004
- ----------------------------------------
Robert L. Fox

/s/ROBERT S. HAMILTON Director September 3, 2004
- ----------------------------------------
Robert S. Hamilton

/s/EDWARD H. JENNINGS Director September 10, 2004
- ----------------------------------------
Edward H. Jennings

/s/HENRY M. O'NEILL, JR. Director September 3, 2004
- ----------------------------------------
Henry M. O'Neill, Jr.

/s/ZUHEIR SOFIA Director September 6, 2004
- ----------------------------------------
Zuheir Sofia


44



LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

SCHEDULE II. VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
FOR EACH OF THE THREE YEARS IN THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2004



COLUMN A COLUMN B COLUMN C COLUMN D COLUMN E
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
ADDITIONS
BALANCE AT CHARGED TO BALANCE
BEGINNING COSTS AND AT END
DESCRIPTION OF YEAR EXPENSES DEDUCTIONS(A) OF YEAR
----------- ---------- ---------- ------------- --------

Reserves deducted from asset to which they
apply - Allowance for doubtful accounts
(amounts in thousands):
Year ended June 30, 2002..................... $ 3,167 $ 16,405(B) $ 16,158(B) $ 3,414
========== ========== ============= ========
Year ended June 30, 2003..................... $ 3,414 $ 667 $ 2,129 $ 1,952
========== ========== ============= ========
Year ended June 30, 2004..................... $ 1,952 $ (1,174)(C) $ (1,041)(C) $ 1,819
========== ========== ============= ========


NOTES:

(A) Represents uncollectible accounts written off net of recoveries.

(B) Included in fiscal 2002 is a provision and write-off for bad debt of
approximately $14.3 million related to the bankruptcy filing of Kmart
Corporation in January 2002.

(C) Includes recovery of previously written off bad debt related to Kmart
Corporation of approximately $1.8 million.

45



LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
FORM 10-K
JUNE 30, 2004
INDEX TO EXHIBITS



EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION LOCATED AT
- ------- ----------- --------------

3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of the registrant approved by
the shareholders November 18, 1991........................................... (h)

.2 Certificate of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation approved by
the shareholders November 16, 1992........................................... (h)

.3 Certificate of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation approved by
the shareholders November 17, 1997........................................... (h)

.4 By-laws of the registrant as amended through November 18, 1991............... (a)

.5 Certificate of Designation, Rights and Preferences of the Series A
Participating Preferred Stock of Lancaster Colony Corporation................ (b)

4.1 Specimen Certificate of Common Stock......................................... (k)

.2 Rights Agreement dated as of April 20, 2000 between Lancaster
Colony Corporation and The Huntington Trust Company, N.A..................... (j)

.3 Credit Agreement dated as of February 13, 2001 among Lancaster
Colony Corporation, The Lenders and Bank One, NA, as Agent................... (l)

.4 First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of June 24, 2003 among
Lancaster Colony Corporation, the Lenders and Bank One, NA as Agent.......... (m)

10.1 1981 Incentive Stock Option Plan............................................. (c)

.2 Resolution by the Board of Directors to amend registrant's 1981 Incentive
Stock Option Plan approved by the shareholders November 21, 1983............. (d)

.3 Resolution by the Board of Directors to amend registrant's 1981 Incentive
Stock Option Plan approved by the shareholders November 18, 1985............. (e)

.4 Resolution by the Board of Directors to amend registrant's 1981 Incentive
Stock Option Plan approved by the shareholders November 19, 1990............. (f)

.5 Key Employee Severance Agreement between Lancaster Colony
Corporation and John L. Boylan............................................... (f)

.6 1995 Key Employee Stock Option Plan.......................................... (g)

.7 Key Employee Severance Agreement between Lancaster Colony
Corporation and Bruce L. Rosa................................................ (i)

.8 Lancaster Colony Corporation Executive Employee Deferred
Compensation Plan............................................................ (k)

.9 Description of Registrant's Executive Bonus Arrangements..................... Filed herewith

14. Code of Ethics............................................................... Filed herewith

21. Significant Subsidiaries of Registrant....................................... Filed herewith

23. The consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP to the incorporation by reference
in Registration Statements No. 33-39102 and 333-01275 on Form S-8
of their reports dated September 8, 2004, appearing in and incorporated
by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Lancaster Colony
Corporation for the year ended June 30, 2004................................. Filed herewith

31.1 Certification of CEO under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002..... Filed herewith

31.2 Certification of CFO under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002..... Filed herewith

32. Certification of CEO and CFO under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002.................................................................. Filed herewith


46



- ----------

(a) Indicates the exhibit is incorporated by reference from filing as an
annex to the Proxy Statement of Lancaster Colony Corporation for the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders held November 18, 1991.

(b) Indicates the exhibit is incorporated by reference from filing as an
exhibit to the Lancaster Colony Corporation report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended March 31, 1990.

(c) Indicates the exhibit is incorporated by reference from filing as an
exhibit to the Lancaster Colony Corporation report on Form 10-K for the
year ended June 30, 1982.

(d) Indicates the exhibit is incorporated by reference from filing as an
exhibit to the Lancaster Colony Corporation report on Form 10-K for the
year ended June 30, 1984.

(e) Indicates the exhibit is incorporated by reference from filing as an
exhibit to the Lancaster Colony Corporation report on Form 10-K for the
year ended June 30, 1985.

(f) Indicates the exhibit is incorporated by reference from filing as an
exhibit to the Lancaster Colony Corporation report on Form 10-K for the
year ended June 30, 1991.

(g) Indicates the exhibit is incorporated by reference from the Lancaster
Colony Corporation filing on Form S-8 of its 1995 Key Employee Stock
Option Plan (Registration Statement No. 333-01275).

(h) Indicates the exhibit is incorporated by reference from filing as an
exhibit to the Lancaster Colony Corporation report on Form 10-K for the
year ended June 30, 1998.

(i) Indicates the exhibit is incorporated by reference from filing as an
exhibit to the Lancaster Colony Corporation report on Form 10-K for the
year ended June 30, 1999.

(j) Indicates the exhibit is incorporated by reference from filing as an
exhibit to the Lancaster Colony Corporation report on Form 8-A filed
April 20, 2000.

(k) Indicates the exhibit is incorporated by reference from filing as an
exhibit to the Lancaster Colony Corporation report on Form 10-K for the
year ended June 30, 2000.

(l) Indicates the exhibit is incorporated by reference from filing as an
exhibit to the Lancaster Colony Corporation report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended March 31, 2001.

(m) Indicates the exhibit is incorporated by reference from filing as an
exhibit to the Lancaster Colony Corporation report on Form 10-K for the
year ended June 30, 2003.

47