Vidalia is home to a company recognized among Forbes Magazine's "List of America's Largest Private Companies for 2016."
      Dot Foods, Inc., the nation's first and largest food industry redistributor, has climbed to #65 on the list, a three-spot jump from its #68 ranking in 2015 and a significant 95-spot climb from the company's initial #160 ranking in 2006. Only 223 companies made the list in 2016. Dot Foods' local facility in Vidalia is one of the company's 10 distribution centers nationwide.
        Since opening in October 1998, the Vidalia distribution center has grown from 50 employees to 350 and expanded shipments from 58 in its first week to now more than 200 per week. They also just finished a major expansion. The southeast is one of Dot Foods fastest growing markets and the expansion will enable Dot to continue to service its customers and provide jobs to the local area.
        Robert and Dorothy Tracy founded Dot Foods in Mt. Sterling, Illinois, in 1960, using a single station wagon and two rented trucks.
        In 2015, revenue for Dot Foods was $6.2 billion.
        "We are honored that Forbes continues to recognize Dot Foods among our country's largest private companies," said Tim Truxel, general manager of the Vidalia distribution center. "As a 56-year-old, family-owned-and-operated company, this honor represents the dedication to our company's core values, integrity and commitment to our employees and customers."