Jan 13, 2004
SCOTTSDALE, AZ — January 13, 2004 — Recognizing his outstanding contributions in shaping public policy, the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) presented the 2004 Glen P. Woodard, Jr., Public Affairs Award to Randy Hutton, vice president, government relations, Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. Liz Minyard, FMI Board chair and co-chair and co-CEO of Minyard Food Stores, Inc., presented the award here at the FMI Midwinter Executive Conference.

A 36-year veteran of the food retail industry, Hutton served as a front-end clerk, store manager, district manager, merchandiser and import buyer before joining government relations. This “rock-solid grounding in how the industry works” enabled Hutton to educate numerous government officials about food retailing, contributing to wins in “tax reform, food stamps, employer mandates and food safety,” according to the tribute.

At the national level, he played a major role in the industry’s most important issues, “especially mandatory country-of-origin labeling,” said Minyard in the award presentation. After the labeling law was passed, “Randy immediately started calling for repeal, for grassroots action, for mobilizing producers and for launching an industry-wide offensive.

“Glen Woodard would be delighted to know that this year’s recipient of the public affairs award is Randy Hutton, Glen’s protégé at Winn-Dixie,” said Minyard. Hutton served under him until Woodard passed away in 1995.

Hutton is the 10th recipient of the award, which was established in 1996.