PIERRE FOODS INC
WAIVER & RELEASE OF CHANGE IN CONTROL / CLARK
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<TYPE>EX-10.1
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>g80177exv10w1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>WAIVER & RELEASE OF CHANGE IN CONTROL / CLARK
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<P align="right"><FONT size="2"><B>Exhibit&nbsp;10.1</B></FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>WAIVER AND RELEASE<BR>
OF<BR>
CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT</B></FONT>

<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;THIS WAIVER AND RELEASE made this 17th day of October, 2002 (the
&#147;Effective Date&#148;) by David R. Clark (&#147;Executive&#148;) to Pierre Foods, Inc. (the
&#147;Company&#148;).
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<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In consideration of Ten dollars ($10.00) and other valuable consideration,
the receipt and legal sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the
undersigned Executive does hereby release the Company from, and waive all
rights and interest in, that certain Amended and Restated Change in Control
Agreement dated July&nbsp;6, 1999 (&#147;Agreement&#148;) by and between the Company and the
Executive, and said Agreement is hereby terminated and is of no further force
or effect, effective as of the Effective Date.
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<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Executive has executed this Waiver and
Release as of the Effective Date.
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    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ David R. Clark<BR></FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
David R. Clark
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    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">(SEAL)</FONT></TD>
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<P><FONT size="2">Acknowledge, Accept and Agree<br>
as of the Effective Date:
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<P><FONT size="2">Pierre Foods, Inc.
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    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">By:</FONT></TD>
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    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Pamela M. Witters<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Pamela M. Witters, Chief Financial Officer
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<P align="center"><FONT size="2">26</FONT>
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