Deli Provision Co., 434 Industrial Ln, Birmingham, AL 35211, US

In 1998, Mrs. Stratton s Salads opened the doors on a new state-of-the-art facility, giving it the tools it needed to meet a growing list of opportunities. This new U.S.D.A.-inspected plant can produce more than 3,000,000 pounds each month in consumer-ready packages. Just some of the products produced by Mrs. Stratton s Salads include: barbecue sauces, cheeses, cup salads, desserts, meats, tortillas and bulk-food services. The company began in the early 1950s, when J.J. Stratton began a business peddling his wife s special salads at Birmingham-area grocery stores. These products quickly gained popularity among local customers. After facing financial hardships in the early 1970s, the company was rejuvenated by the fiscal resources of Tom and John Bradford, who bought the company. What started with five routes in 1972 has now grown to regional and national success.