NGA Best Bagger Championship
History of the Best Bagger Competition
Bagging has been an important step for many supermarket employees who have pursued long and rewarding careers in the grocery industry. The National Grocers Association Best Bagger Championship features retailers with infectious company pride and an enthusiastic commitment to customer service.
The first Best Bagging contest was held in 1987 in Dallas, TX. The “Texas – Oklahoma Checkout Shootout” featured two contestants and former NFL Quarterback Terry Bradshaw as the emcee. Since then, NGA has branded and grown the event to feature more than 25 state bagging contestants.
2020 National Championship
Congratulations to 2020 Best Bagger Champion Nicole Cote of Hannaford Supermarket in Maine!
L to R: Nicole Cote (2020 Best Bagger Champion), Greg Ferrara (NGA President and CEO), Art Rosenberg (VP Industry & Customer Development, PepsiCo, Inc.), and Mike Stigers (Chairman of the NGA Board of Directors)
2021 Best Bagger National Championship
September 20, 2021
At The NGA Show
Las Vegas, NV
Sponsored by: 
Cheer on your state’s bagger as NGA celebrates over 30 years of bagging excellence at The NGA Show! Elite baggers from across the country vie for the championship title and a $10,000 cash prize during the evening event.
2021 State Competitions and Winners
California
California Winner: Alexa Sobsey, Nugget Market
Missouri
Winner: Kevin Ambrosio, Consentino's
Iowa
Winner: Ben Miller, Waukee Hy-Vee
Tennessee
Winner: Patrick Grove, Kroger
Kentucky
Winner: Morgan Spears, K-VAT Food Stores, Inc.
Virginia
Winner: David Rhoten, K-VA-T Food Stores, Inc.
Ohio
Winner: Fenging Liu, Dorothy Lane Market
Utah
Winner: Kennedy Kartchner, Harmons Grocery
Minnesota
Winner: Justin Kizilos, Kowalski's Market
Wisconsin
Winner: Matthew Casey, Metcalfe's Market
Best Bagger Handbook
Click below to view the Best Bagger Handbook outlining the official eligibility requirements, rules, and regulations for the 2021 National Championship.
Connect with us on Social Media
Excited to see your state represented in the National Best Bagger contest? Use the hashtags, #BestBagger to share with the world why your state's contestant deserves to win the crown and take home bagging rights!
Interested in Hosting a Best Bagger Competition?
Please contact the NGA Best Bagger Coordinator at bestbagger@nationalgrocers.org.
