Lauren Gillson of Lunds & Byerlys in St. Cloud has won the Minnesota Grocers Association’s (MGA) 27th annual statewide best bagger contest, held at the Mall of America on Aug. 15. Gillson took home $500, a trophy and will travel to Las Vegas to represent Minnesota at the National Grocers Association’s best bagger championship in February.
Justin Marshall of Kowalski’s Market in Minneapolis placed second and Seth Allen of Chris’ Food Center in Sandstone came in third place.
The 10 participating contestants—the best in the state—were judged on speed, style, attitude, proper bag-building technique, as well as weight distribution between the bags. Contestants used reusable bags.
Contestants ranged in age from 15 to 34 and came from the following participating companies: Almsted’s Fresh Market, Crystal; Chris’ Food Center, Sandstone; Coborn’s, Buffalo; Fareway Stores, Fairmont; Glen’s Food Center, Luverne; Jubilee Foods, Mound; Kowalski’s Market, Minneapolis; Lunds & Byerlys, St. Cloud; Mackenthun’s Fine Foods, Waconia; and Teal’s Market, Milaca.
Four of the 10 baggers were given Bagger Excellence Awards. The “Traveler” Award was given to Mitchell Muller of Glen’s Food Center in Luverne for coming the longest distance. The “Balance” Award was won by Justin Marshall of Kowalski’s Market in Minneapolis, whose two bags had .15 pounds difference between them. Ian Rivers of Coborn’s in Buffalo captured the “Spirit” Award, with his many friends, family and fans. The “Style” Award was presented to Kameron Nitcher of Fareway Stores in Fairmont, who best exemplified the image and style of the baggers in the contest.
I was hoping to see Knowlans mentioned. I worked there in the 1970s and 1980s and we all put great effort into quality bagging.
F. Lee Erickson