SD BEST BAGGER COMPETITION
Freedom Stage, SD State Fair
2026 Date Coming Soon!
Join us for the Annual South Dakota Retailers Association Best Bagger Competition in Huron!
Bring your top bagger to the South Dakota State Fair's Northwest Energy Freedom Stage to compete against fellow quick hands from our statewide grocery industry.
1st Place Prize
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2nd Place Prize
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3rd+ Place Prize
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ABOUT THE COMPETITION:
How it works
Eligibility
- Contestants bag identical grocery orders (no more than 40 common items).
- Utilize reusable shopping bags.
- Compete in heats, followed by a championship round of the top baggers from each heat.
- The winner of the South Dakota Best Bagger Competition will be eligible for the NGA National Competition.
Eligibility
- One contestant per retail location.
- Contestants of all ages are welcome (must be legal working age).
- Contestants must spend more than 40% of work time bagging groceries.
- Managerial staff positions are not eligible.
- Previous National Champions of the National Grocers Association Best Bagger Competition are not eligible.
JUDGING CRITERIA:
SPEED | 10 points
Speed (10 Points)
Contestants should bag orders significantly quicker than the average bagger.
0- 53.00 seconds | 10 points
53.01- 57.00 seconds | 9 points
57.01- 61.00 seconds | 8 points
61.01- 65.00 seconds | 7 points
65.01- 73.00 seconds | 6 points
73.01- 77.00 seconds | 5 points
77.01- 81.00 seconds | 4 points
81.01- 85.00 seconds | 3 points
85.01- 89.00 seconds | 2 points
More than 89.01 seconds | 1 point
Contestants should bag orders significantly quicker than the average bagger.
0- 53.00 seconds | 10 points
53.01- 57.00 seconds | 9 points
57.01- 61.00 seconds | 8 points
61.01- 65.00 seconds | 7 points
65.01- 73.00 seconds | 6 points
73.01- 77.00 seconds | 5 points
77.01- 81.00 seconds | 4 points
81.01- 85.00 seconds | 3 points
85.01- 89.00 seconds | 2 points
More than 89.01 seconds | 1 point
Proper bag building technique | 10 points
Proper Bag Building Technique (10 Points):
Contestants should be able to arrange groceries correctly within a reusable bag.
Principles of bagging: solid foundation, manageable for customer, product represented well, and overall appearance of bagging knowledge.
Points will be deducted for improper bagging, damaged products, and missed items.
Packing should involve these steps:
Contestants should be able to arrange groceries correctly within a reusable bag.
Principles of bagging: solid foundation, manageable for customer, product represented well, and overall appearance of bagging knowledge.
Points will be deducted for improper bagging, damaged products, and missed items.
Packing should involve these steps:
- Placing heavy cans on the bottom of the bag.
- Framing boxed items around the bag’s walls to create a “cushion” for other items.
- Placing crushable items, such as produce and eggs on the top.
- Slipping small items, like packs of gum, in the spaces in the bag.
Distribution of weight between bags | 5 Points
Distribution of Weight Between Bags (5 Points)
Contestants should know how to distribute groceries among sacks so that all sacks are approximately equal in weight.
To calculate the score, weigh each bag and record the weight. Take the heaviest bag weight, minus the lightest bag weight, and subtract the difference from total points possible.
Contestants should know how to distribute groceries among sacks so that all sacks are approximately equal in weight.
To calculate the score, weigh each bag and record the weight. Take the heaviest bag weight, minus the lightest bag weight, and subtract the difference from total points possible.
Style, attitude, appearance | 5 points
Style, Attitude, and Appearance (5 Points):
All contestants should present a neat appearance, be polite, and convey a customer-oriented attitude.
Contestants will be judged in part on their composure and self-confidence.
All contestants should present a neat appearance, be polite, and convey a customer-oriented attitude.
Contestants will be judged in part on their composure and self-confidence.
