Fender Musical Instruments Co.

BREA, Calif. — Health and natural products wholesale distributor Nature's Best has hired Amy Kirtland as the company’s VP of sales. Kirtland will be responsible for leading the company's sales team and executing the company's strategic growth plans.

Washington, D.C. -- Grocery retailers, wholesalers and food industry state association executives representing more than 30 states assembled in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to urge Congress to act on pro-business reforms that impact their industry.

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) on Wednesday launched an interactive web-based tool for consumers that supports the Facts Up Front nutrition labeling initiative launched by GMA and the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) in 2011.

With Facts Up Front, characterized by the trade group as the most significant reform of food and beverage labels in over 20 years, important information from the Nutrition Facts Panel on the back of food and beverage products are displayed in a simple and easy-to-use format on the front of products.

THOROFARE, N.J. — Checkpoint Systems, a provider of shrink protection solutions, has named Marc Giles to its board of directors, effective immediately.

Giles spent most of his career with industrial technology companies beginning in sales and marketing before expanding into management positions of increasing responsibility and global reach. In 2000, he was recruited by Gerber Scientific, Inc. to serve as president of its Gerber Technology division.

The Grocery Manufacturers Association inducted J. M. Smucker Company chairman Tim Smucker and Wegmans CEO Danny Wegman into its Hall of Achievement and presented Harris Teeter president and COO Fred Morganthall the award for Industry Collaboration Leadership.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The retired head of Midwestern supermarket chain Hy-Vee took home the top honor at a recent supermarket industry conference.

The Food Marketing Institute said Monday that it gave its most prestigious honor — the Sidney R. Rabb Award for excellence in serving the consumer, the community and the industry — to retired Hy-Vee chairman and CEO Ric Jurgens at the FMI Midwinter Executive Conference.

Orlando, Fla. — The Global Market Development Center has awarded Jerry Brown its 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award. The honor was given on June 3 during the “Dinner with the Chairman” at the 42nd Annual 2012 General Merchandise Conference in Orlando, Fla.

Dallas -- The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) announced that it has entered into a strategic business partnership with TopSource LLC, a sourcing company and wholly owned subsidiary of Topco Associates LLC. FMI said the partnership will provide its members the opportunity to support the foundations of their growing businesses with significant savings related to costs in not-for-resale areas.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Food Marketing Institute on Monday selected nine finalists for the 12th annual Store Manager Awards competition, which identifies exceptional store managers who generate sales growth, provide great customer service, lead outstanding store teams and serve the community in unique ways. Among the nine, three winners will be named on May 1 in Dallas at the FMI2012 convention and retail trade show.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Food Marketing Institute on Thursday named Hannah Walker director of government relations to represent food retailers on Capitol Hill.