The National Grocers Association (NGA) awarded a $10,000 cash prize to Rocco Cammarota of Publix Super Markets in Georgia after he finished first in the Best Bagger Championship on Feb. 2.
Sponsored by PepsiCo, the competition took place during the second day of The NGA Show at Caesar’s Forum in Las Vegas. The annual gathering brings together independent grocers, wholesalers, industry executives, manufacturers and service providers for networking, learning and innovation opportunities.
Contestants were evaluated across four criteria: speed (10 points), proper bag-building technique (10 points), distribution of weight between bags (5 points) and style, attitude and appearance (5 points).
“The energy was electric as the nation’s top baggers went head-to-head in the Best Bagger Championship at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas,” said Greg Ferrara, NGA president and CEO.
“Rocco’s outstanding performance earned him the title, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to celebrate his achievement. A huge thank you to our sponsor, PepsiCo, and supporting partners, Instacart and Imperial Dade, for their commitment to this exciting tradition.”
The results of the competition were as follows:
- Winner: Rocco Cammarota, Publix Super Markets, Georgia;
- Runner-Up: Makenzie Wood, Fresh Market, Utah;
- Third place: Michael Le, Rosauers Supermarkets, Washington;
- Fourth place: Austin Kollasch, Fareway Stores, Nebraska; and
- Fifth place: Elizabeth Ripperdan, Publix Super Markets, Alabama.
Fresh Market Bagger Places Second at NGA Championship
MaKenzie Wood, a bagger at Fresh Market in Layton, Utah, earned second place and a $5,000 prize at the National Grocers Association’s Best Bagger Competition held last week in Las Vegas.
Wood advanced to the national event after winning first place at the Utah Food Industry Association’s Best Bagger Competition, where she claimed the title of Utah’s Best Bagger. The national competition took place during NGA’s February conference in Las Vegas and drew baggers from across the country who had won their respective state contests.
“I had a lot of fun representing Fresh Market and Utah in the competition,” Wood said. “It’s a fun environment and I’m always impressed with the other competitors.”
Wood, who has worked at Fresh Market for five years, received support from family members, store leaders and team members before and during the event.
“We are incredibly proud of MaKenzie for earning second place at the NGA Bagger Competition,” said Candice Fischer, director of customer relationship management for ARO.
“She dedicated countless hours to perfecting her technique, and it truly paid off with a $5,000 prize. MaKenzie represented Layton Fresh Market and Associated Food Stores with excellence, and we’re grateful to have her on our team.”
Fischer thanked supporters who attended the event to cheer on Wood during the competition.
“The coaching and mentoring our team members receive is phenomenal,” said Greg Welling, VP of retail operations for Fresh Market. “Our stores provide an atmosphere where team members can be successful at work and develop a pattern of accomplishment for life.”
[RELATED: Nugget Markets’ Moretti Wins 2025 NGA Best Bagger Championship]