The National Grocers Association (NGA) today announced Dwayne Campbell, of Hy-Vee, located in Iowa, defeated 23 other best baggers from across the country to claim a grand prize of $10,000. The Best Bagger Championship was sponsored by PepsiCo and emceed by Akbar Gbajabiamila, co-host of NBC’s American Ninja Warrior and author of Everyone Can Be A Ninja.
“Baggers or courtesy clerks are an essential part of a positive customer experience. Each year, NGA hosts the Best Bagger Championship which showcases the important skill of bagging,” said Peter Larkin, president and CEO of NGA. “I’d like thank our amazing contestants and our sponsor PepsiCo. Congratulations to Dwayne on his victory.”
Elissa Chambliss of Buehler’s Fresh Foods in Ohio was awarded second place and a $5,000 cash prize. Justin Vera of ShopRite in Delaware was awarded third place, Tyler Haselkamp of Coborn’s Inc in Minnesota was awarded fourth place, and Jake Waid of Nugget Market in California was awarded fifth place.
The Best Bagger championship was first held in 1987 and designed to demonstrate the important customer service skill of bagging. Contestants are judged by speed of bagging, proper bag-building technique, weight distribution, in the bag, as well as style, attitude, and appearance.
