EXHIBIT 5.1

                              (GARDERE LETTERHEAD)

April 1, 2003


Board of Directors
Dean Foods Company
2515 McKinney Avenue
Suite 1200
Dallas, Texas 75201

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel to Dean Foods Company, a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), on Form S-8 (the "Registration
Statement") of an additional (i) $15,000,000 of the Company's deferred
compensation obligations (the "Obligations"), which are issuable under the Dean
Foods Company Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, as originally effective July
1, 1999 (the "Plan") and (ii) 240,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value
("Common Stock") of the Company which may be issued or transferred from time to
time under the Plan, as most recently amended effective July 1, 2002.

         We have assisted the Company in the preparation of, and are familiar
with, the Registration Statement of the Company to be filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on April 2, 2003 for the registration under the
Securities Act of the additional Obligations and Common Stock relative to the
Plan.

         With respect to the foregoing, we have examined and have relied on
originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of
such corporate records, documents, orders, certificates and other instruments as
in our judgment are necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinion
expressed below.

         Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the additional
Obligations have been duly authorized and, when issued in accordance with the
terms of the Plan and conditions set forth in the Plan, will be valid and
binding obligations of the Company. The additional 240,000 shares of Common
Stock which from time to time may be issued or transferred under the Plan in
accordance with appropriate proceedings of the Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors of the Company, when so issued and sold at prices in excess
of the par value of the Common Stock in accordance with the





Board of Directors
Dean Foods Company
April 1, 2003
Page 2


provisions of the Plan will be duly and validly authorized and issued by the
Company and fully paid and nonassessable.

         We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the
Registration Statement.


Very truly yours,

GARDERE WYNNE SEWELL LLP


By /s/ SUZAN E. FENNER
  ------------------------------
   Suzan E. Fenner, Partner