Apr 11, 2006 9:19 AM, from staff and wire reports

The Sara Lee Food & Beverage subsidiary of Sara Lee Corp is constructing a new 214,000-square-foot distribution center in Macon GA. Fort Wayne IN-based Tippmann Group is building the DC in Macon's I-75 Business Park. Scheduled to start operating in August 2006, the facility first will hire up to 100 employees and plans to add 40 more during its first year.

Besides frozen cakes, pies, and cheesecakes, Sara Lee Food & Beverage produces packaged deli meats, cheeses, and baked goods. Its sausage brands include Jimmy Dean and Hillshire Farms, and its hot dog and lunch meat brands include Ball Park, Best’s Kosher, and Bryan.