In 1960, with eight children (eventually 12) at home to care for, Robert (RT) and Dorothy Tracy started Associated Dairy Products Co. (now Dot Foods) out of the back of their family station wagon, a 14-year-old Cessna airplane, and leased tractor.

The advantages of RT and Dorothy's business model became apparent to distributors and suppliers: the customer placed one order, took one delivery, and processed one invoice---all from Dot Foods.

RT and Dorothy didn't set out to create a new business model in food distribution, but that's what they did.

Today's food redistribution industry is a direct evolution of RT and Dorothy’s dream, and the once small Tracy family business has grown to be the largest food industry redistributor in North America. Today, Dot Foods employs 5,700 employees across the country and partners with 1,100 manufacturers to serve 4,700 customers in all 50 states and 39 countries.

In 1997, members of the second generation of the Tracy family established the Tracy Family Foundation as a legacy to their parents, RT and Dorothy Tracy.  When TFF began, the Tracy family consisted of 65 members of the first, second and third generations. Today, the Tracy family includes more than double that number of family members across four generations.

Tracy family members across generations serve on the TFF Board, the Next Generation Advisory Board, and various TFF committees.  They also actively participate in Tracy family Matching, Next Generation, Volunteer Incentive, and Family Invitation grant programs. Through these engagement opportunities, Tracy family members are encouraged to serve their local communities and inspired to give of their personal time, talent, and treasures.

Legacy Statement

Written by: The 12 children of Dorothy and Robert Tracy

Adopted: December 2000