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.

2021 National Championship

Congratulations to 2021 Best Bagger Champion Ben Miller of Hy-Vee in Iowa!

2018 Best Bagger Champion

L to R: Mike Stigers (Chairman of the NGA Board of Directors), Kent Montgomery  (PepsiCo, Inc.), Christopher Yemma (PepsiCo, Inc.), and Greg Ferrara (NGA President and CEO) 

Save the Date! 2022 Best Bagger National Championship

February 2022

At The NGA Show

Las Vegas, NV

Sponsored by: PepsiCo
Best Bagger Contestants

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 National Championship.

Connect with us on Social Media

Twitter logo  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.