Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association

The proper bagging of grocers is an important part of the operation of a successful grocery business. The Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association, in cooperation with the National Grocers Association (NGA), endeavors to help grocers recognize this important customer service by conducting an annual state "Best Bagger" Contest. First place winner receives a $1,000 scholarship and a trip to the national competition at the NGA convention. Second place winner receives a $600 scholarship.

Since state are limited to one contestant in the NGA contest many retailers develop and conduct their own contests to select their representative for the state contest. In other states, retailers and/or wholesalers hold the contest independent of any state association. Following is a link to download a booklet to provide you with the information necessary for you to conduct your own contest.

Ensures that the most qualified individual is selected to represent your company.
Increases employee motivation and builds a "team spirit for the competition."
Highlights customer service by showing customers the importance placed on the proper bagging of their groceries.
Provides recognition for good employees.

Supports your retailers' efforts to acknowledge good service.
Encourages youth to consider a career in the food industry by promoting positive experiences.
Increases your visibility at state conventions and beyond. Many wholesalers work with association executives to award state-level prizes for runners-up.

Who Can Enter the Contest?

State

TGCSA will accept one contestant from each store or company division for the 2008 “Best Bagger” contest. If there is more than one per company, a “Bag Off” must be held at company level to determine one contestant for the TGCSA event. The winner at the 2008 “Best Bagger” contest will compete at the 2009 national competition during the National Grocers Association convention.

National

NGA will accept one contestant from each state for the 2009 “Best Bagger” contest.

If the state association does not enter a contestant, NGA will accept an entrant who has competed in a contest sponsored by a retailer or wholesaler.

Participants in the NGA contest must spend more than 25% of the time at work bagging groceries to be eligible to compete in the national contest.

There are no age restrictions for NGA’s “Best Bagger” competition.

Previous National “Best Bagger” Champions (1st place winners) of the NGA “Best Bagger” competition are not eligible for future entry into the contest.

Special Note: NGA provides prize money in the amount of $250.00 to one winner from each state. The prize should be awarded to the bagger that represents the state at the National contest.

Where Is The Contest?

State

All rounds will be held at the Knoxville Convention Center, on April 20, 2008 at 10:30 am.

National

All rounds will be held in February 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Official Date to be announced.)

Contestants Will Be Judged on the Following Criteria

· Speed

· Proper bag building technique

· Distribution of weight between bags

· Style, attitude and appearance

What Are the Prizes?

State

· An expense paid trip to the national competition during the National Grocers Association Convention

· Statewide Recognition

· First Place Trophy

· Scholarships

1st Place-$1,000 scholarship

2nd Place-$600 scholarship

National

· Full complimentary registration to the NGA convention for each contestant and one guest

· Certificates of participation and souvenir apron for all entrants

· Trophies and cash prizes to the five finalists:

Winner………………………………………......$2,000 cash

1st Runner up……………………………….....$1,000 cash

2nd, 3rd and 4th Runners-up…………….$500 cash each

How to Enter Your Contestant
When your contest is over, enter your winner into the TGCSA (state) contest by downloading the booklet. Complete the entry form on page 23 and return it to TGCSA.

After the TGCSA (state) competition. TGCSA will enter the state winner into the national contest.

1990 John Arnott K-VA-T Food Stores	1999 Kevin Sexton K-VA-T Food Stores
1991 Jon Matthews White's Fresh Foods	2000 Chris Bain Moser's Piggly Wiggly
1992 Danny Schafer K-VA-T Food Stores	2001 Jonathan Fields Foodland-Scott's Hill
1993 Ben Bowman K-VA-T Food Stores	2002 Amanda Taylor Kroger-Memphis
1994 Ben Bowman K-VA-T Food Stores	2003 Randy Lee Eason, Jr. Foodland-Scott's Hill
1995 William Watson H.G. Hill Food Stores	2004 Devin Coleman K-VA-T Food Stores
1996 Todd Bumpas Jim Adams IGA Stores	2005 Matt Berry K-VA-T Food Stores
1997 Jason Story K-VA-T Food Stores	2006 Casey Miller Publix Supermarkets
1998 Matt Shell K-VA-T Food Stores	2007 Sarh Lytle Publix Supermarkets

2008 State Best Bagger Competition
Knoxville Convention Center
April 20, 2008
10:30 am

If you have any questions regarding the competition please contact:
Jennifer Kemp
Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association
Phone: (615) 889-0136
Email: jkemp@tngrocer.org

Learn how to run your own contest by clicking the link below to download a Best Bagger Booklet.

2008 Best Bagger Manual.pdf

Best Bagger Competition

Advantages to Retailers:

Advantages to Wholesalers:

"Best Bagger" State & National Requirements:

Best Bagger Hall of Fame

Date, Time & Confact Information: