Hy-Vee Checker Bags NGA's Big Prize

Dwayne Capmbell of Hy Vee in Des Moines, Iowa, right, is named Best Bagger at the NGA Show. Runner up Elissa Chambliss of Buehler's Fresh Foods, is at left.

Dwayne Campbell, a Hy-Vee Inc. employee from Des Moines, Iowa, prevailed over 23 competitors to be named Best Bagger at the National Grocers Association Show, held Feb. 24-27 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego. 

The annual contest, held since 1987, is designed to promote customer service. Contestants are judged by speed, proper bag-building technique, as well as style, attitude and appearance, NGA said.

Campbell prevailed over a field of five in the final round to claim the $10,000 first prize, which he said he would use to take his family on a vacation. Campbell is a 13-year veteran of Hy-Vee; he works as an assistant manager of perishables at his store.

Finalists (from left) Tyler Haselkamp of Coborn’s; Elissa Chambliss of Buehler’s Fresh Foods and Justin Vera of ShopRite.

Elissa Chambliss of Buehler’s Fresh Foods, Wooster, Ohio, was awarded second place and a $5,000 cash prize. Justin Vera of Zallie’s ShopRite in Delaware got third place, Tyler Haselkamp of Coborn’s in Clearwater, Minn., fourth place, and Jake Waid of Nugget Markets, West Sacramento, Calif., fifth place.

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The Best Bagger Championship was sponsored by PepsiCo and emceed by Akbar Gbajabiamila, co-host of NBC’s "American Ninja Warrior" and author of "Everyone Can Be a Ninja."

“Baggers or courtesy clerks are an essential part of a positive customer experience. Each year, NGA hosts the Best Bagger Championship, which showcases the important skill of bagging,” said Peter Larkin, president and CEO of NGA, Arlington, Va. “I’d like thank our amazing contestants and our sponsor PepsiCo. Congratulations to Dwayne on his victory.”