MaKenzie Wood, a bagger from Fresh Market in Layton, Utah, earned a second-place finish at the National Grocers Association’s Best Bagger Competition last week, taking home $5,000 and a trophy. Her national success followed a first-place finish at the Utah Food Industry Association’s Best Bagger Competition, where she earned the title of Utah’s Best Bagger and the opportunity to compete at the national level.
The national competition took place at the National Grocers Association’s conference held in February in Las Vegas, Nevada. Baggers from across the country competed and were judged in four areas: speed (10 points), proper bag-building technique (10 points), distribution of weight between bags (5 points), and style, attitude, and appearance (5 points).
After an intense but fun-filled event, Wood, who has worked at Fresh Market for five years, secured second place in the national competition.
“I had a lot of fun representing Fresh Market and Utah in the competition,” said Wood. “It’s a fun environment and I’m always impressed with the other competitors.”
Wood received strong support before and during the event from her family, leaders and team members.
“We are incredibly proud of MaKenzie for earning 2nd place at the NGA Bagger Competition,” shared 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. Thank you to everyone who came out to cheer her on and show their support.”
Baggers are often the last contact guests have in stores and their positive energy, professionalism and great service can leave a lasting impression on guests and be the reason they choose to shop there again.
“The coaching and mentoring our team members receive is phenomenal,” said Greg Welling, vice president 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.”