PRESS RELEASE
Ohio's Best Bagger

On Tuesday, August 12th grocery baggers from stores across the state including Community Markets, Giant Eagle, Chief Supermarkets, Bassett’s Market, Kroger’s and a host of other companies will compete in the Ohio Grocers Association’s Best Bagger Competition. Five state finalists win $100 and the state champion wins $1,000 and a trip to Las Vegas, where they will compete in the National Grocers Association’s National Best Bagger Contest.

Contestants are judged not only on speed, but also on weight distribution between bags, correct bagging technique, professional appearance and attitude. According to Community Markets Director of Training, Jeff Waldron all aspects of the competition are important. “Being quick obviously helps, but if you put eggs or another crushable product on the bottom, you won’t be the best bagger.” Kelly Barr, Director of Government Relations for Ohio Grocer Association agreed. “The best bagger contest is an exciting competition, which serves as a great way to enhance proper and effective bagging techniques, as well as a prime opportunity for our member stores to showcase their talented employees.”

This years’ Ohio bagging contest is being held at Great Scot Community Markets at 2021 Broad Ave. in Findlay and is being called “Bagging Under the Big Top.” The store will take on a circus theme for the day and feature games, clowns, some of the world’s smallest horses and many more circus themed activities and food for contestants, spectators and the stores regular customers. The day’s circus themed events start at 9am, with the actual bagging contest starting at 1:30pm.

The Ohio Grocers Foundation advocates for issues relating to the grocery business, which allows for promotion and enhancement of the food industry and related careers, through education, tuition reimbursement, training and consumer awareness. Visit the Foundation’s website at http://www.ohiogrocersfoundation.org/. Visit the Ohio Grocers Association website at http://www.ohiogrocers.org/ for more details on the bagging contest including a downloadable bagging contest training manual, compliments of the National Grocers Association.

Great Scot Community Markets is part of Findlay, OH based Fresh Encounter, Inc. which operates thirty-one stores throughout Ohio and eastern Indiana under a variety of banners including Community Markets, Fulmer Community Markets, Great Scot Community Markets and Sack ‘N Save.

Best Bagger Contestants
Manning, Michele - Carnival Foods : Circleville
Zaic, Mike - Giant Eagle : Cleveland
Mansour, Saaid - Savmor BiRite : Cleveland
Haddad, John - Huffman's : Columbus
Keethler, Adam - Huffman's : Upper Arlington
Murray, Billy - Huffman's : Upper Arlington
Greenlee, Cody - Kroger : Columbus
Burckholter, Theresa - Chief Supermarkets : Celina
Imm, Barb - Chief Supermarkets : Napoleon
Moll , Tyler - Chief Supermarkets : Wauseon
Stachler, Jeff - Chief Supermarkets : Coldwater
Hanefeld, Cody - Community Markets : Delta
Lauck, Jamie - Community Markets : Cridersville
Smith, Brian - Community Markets : Wapakoneta
Sybert, Megan - Community Markets : Ada
Banks, Jake - Sutton's Super Valu : Gordon
Webb, Justin - Sutton's Super Valu : Greenville
Lebeau, Nick - Kroger : Grove City
Baraz, Kon - Giant Eagle : Highland Hts
Flanders, Josh - Carnival Foods : Lancaster
Lehman, Jessy - Carnival Foods : Lancaster
Mitchell, Tara - Carnival Foods : Circleville
McConnell, Kevin - Buehler's Food Market : Massillon
Cooley, Heather - Dorothy Lane Market : Oakwood
Bergman, Tom - Dorothy Lane Market : Oakwood
Jividen, Maddie - Bassett's Market : Port Clinton
Kitzler, Melissa - Bassett's Market : Port Clinton
Farley, Denise - Giant Eagle : Ravenna
Caetta, Eric - Giant Eagle : Stow
Legler, Bailey - Huffman's : Upper Arlington
Glockner, Chris - Buehler's Food Markets : Wadsworth
Smith, Andrew - Buehler's Food Markets : Wadsworth
Budding, Nick - Dorothy Lane Market : Washington Square
Greene, Ryan - Dorothy Lane Market : Springboro
Beagle, Mitchell - Appleseed IGA : Arlington
Derr, Matt - Appleseed IGA : Arlington
Elsea, Caleb - Appleseed IGA : Arlington
Lewis, Russel - Kroger : Dublin
Knoz, Sharon - Kroger : Toledo
Smith, Thomas - Kroger : Mt. Vernon
Young, Ryan - Kroger : Dublin