A grocery bagging competition exists — and it's strangely intense
Talk about bragging bagging rights
Talk about bragging bagging rights
Talk about bragging bagging rights
If not for the giant, food-littered checkout stands on stage, you’d have no idea what kind of contest you just walked into. The crowd is acting as if they’re cheering on Olympic athletes: They’re ear-piercingly loud and carrying supersized cardboard cutouts of competitors’ heads. And ’s here, because, why not?
But this isn’t a worldwide sporting event, nor a cake baking convention. This is the . It’s the one time of year baggers get the kudos they deserve — and a chance to win $10,000.
Every year, the National Grocers Association hosts contests in states across the country. One bagger emerges from each, and this year, everyone headed to for a final showdown. They’re all here to prove they can pack a bag of groceries with speed, style, and — of course — proper weight distribution.
It’s hard-earned experience that eventually wins the whole thing. Trevor DeForest, a Fareway Food Stores employee from Iowa, beat out the 22 other competitors with his 21 years of bagging experience. As for what he’s going to do with that jumbo check once he cashes it: “Hopefully go on vacation somewhere!” DeForest laughs.