Washington State Best Grocery Bagger competition Thursday at Aurora Borealis event center

Washington State Best Grocery Bagger Competition Thursday October 26, 2023 at Aurora Borealis Event Center 16708 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133

OLYMPIA — Oct. 23, 2023 — Ready. Set. Bag! The 2023 Best Bagger Competition will take place this Thursday, Oct. 26, 1pm at Aurora Borealis Event Center in Shoreline.

Courtesy clerks from grocers around the state will vie for “bagging rights” and the chance to represent Washington in the national championship in March. The Best Bagger Battle is sponsored by the Washington Food Industry Association’s Education Foundation and is open to clerks from independent grocers around the state.

The state champion will receive a cash prize of $2,000 and an all-expense paid trip to compete for the $10,000 cash prize at the 2024 National Grocers Association Best Bagger Championship in Las Vegas.

Washington has a proud history of accomplished grocery baggers, taking home the National Best Bagger title in 1989, 2013, 2015 and 2016.

Finalists in this year’s contest:

• Emma Beeler, Super 1 Foods #34 (Rosauers, Inc.) – Spokane
• Peyton Conger, Camano Plaza IGA — Camano Island
• Destiney French, Ocean Shores IGA – Ocean Shores
• Nigel Greaves, PCC Communities Market – Seattle
• Jadan White, Goose Grocer – Langley

Each contestant will compete in two rounds; the top three baggers will advance to the final round.

• First round contestants will be required to fill three plastic bags.
• Second round contestants will be required to fill three reusable bags.

Contestants of all ages are encouraged to participate and must spend more than at least 40% of their time at work in the front-end, bagging customers’ groceries to compete in the Best Bagger competition.

Contestants will be judged based on:

• Speed
• Proper bag building technique
• Distribution of weight between bags
• Style, attitude and appearance

More information on the NGA National Best Bagger Competition here.

The Washington Food Industry Association Educational Foundation is dedicated to the advancement of education and employment opportunities in the food industry. Founded in 2014, the foundation has awarded over $200,000 to more than 70 well-deserving individuals who wish to advance their careers in the food and beverage industry.