Sargento Employees Hold $208.6 Million Wisconsin Powerball Ticket

Whether it's paying off an education, home or vehicle loan, a group of close to 100 Sargento cheese employees will soon have the money to do just that.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060807/CGM062 )

That's because a collection of workers at the Plymouth plant hold the winning ticket from Saturday's $208.6 million Wisconsin Powerball, which is the largest jackpot in the state's history. The ticket was sold at the Ma and Pa's Grocery Express along the so-called "Miracle Mile" in Fond du Lac, Wis.

"We're ecstatic to hear the news," said Lou Gentine, Sargento chairman and second-generation family owner. "Sargento has always looked at itself as a big family, and it's exciting to think about the good fortune this will bring to some of our employees and their families."

Gentine added that Sargento will host an information session for lottery winners who are interested in seeking professional financial planning assistance.

"Our No. 1 concern has always been our employees and customers," Gentine said. "We believe in a stakeholder concept where each of our employees, customers, communities and suppliers are considered a part of our extended family."

South Main Street in Fond du Lac earned the "Miracle Mile" name because several stores along the strip sold multimillion-dollar tickets in the 1990s. Ma and Pa's Grocery Express also sold a winning Megabucks ticket worth $6.5 million in 1994, and has been the home of $500,000, $250,000 and $100,000 jackpots.

Sargento, which has been nominated for Fortune Magazine's "100 Best Companies To Work For," has demonstrated its passion for cheese and family throughout its history. Founded in 1953 in Plymouth, Wis., it is a leading manufacturer, packager and marketer of natural shredded, sliced and snack cheeses, cheese appetizers, ingredients and sauces. Sargento is owned and operated by the Gentine family, and has net sales in excess of $500 million.