Wisconsin Dells, WI – Darren Thao of Woodman’s Food Market in Green Bay was named Wisconsin’s “Best Bagger” at the Great Wisconsin Bag-Off Championship, held during the Wisconsin Grocers Association (WGA) Innovation Expo, where he competed against 21 grocery store baggers from across the state.
For Thao, the competition reflects the same skills and pride he brings to his work every day at one of Wisconsin’s many grocery stores.
“I love my job. I love my coworkers,” Thao said. “People appreciate how patient I am with them and how I explain to them in detail, and how I help the new hires.”
Sponsored by Lipari Foods, the Great Wisconsin Bag-Off Championship recognizes the skill, organization, and customer service that go into professional bagging. Contestants were evaluated on speed, bag-building technique, weight distribution, style, attitude, and appearance as they carefully bagged a grocery order, demonstrating the skills they use every day on the job. The event was emceed by Anastasia Poull, the 79th Alice in Dairyland, while results were tabulated and certified by Baker Tilly.
For contestants, preparation went beyond simply practicing how to place groceries in a bag. Thao said he developed a mental image of how he wanted to prepare himself for the competition, including visualizing how he would approach and bag the items.
Thao is a full-time bagger at Woodman’s Food Market and said the position’s flexible schedule has been a benefit. He graduated from high school in 2022 and has continued to build his skills through his work at Woodman’s and by competing in the regional rounds leading up to the state competition.
“The Great Wisconsin Bag-Off Championship is a tradition in the grocery industry. Many grocers hold competition trials at their stores to get ready for the championship competition at the WGA Innovation Expo,” said Mike Semmann, WGA president and CEO.
The WGA Great Wisconsin Bag-Off encourages development of the skills essential to successful bagging and customer service, such as organization and attention to detail, through friendly competition. Audience members added to the excitement by holding signs and dressing in costume to motivate contestants.
With the Wisconsin title now secured, Thao will represent Wisconsin at the National Grocers Association (NGA) Best Bagger Championship in February, where state champions from across the country will compete for the national title.
The national competition will again test contestants on speed, bag-building technique, weight distribution, style, attitude and appearance. The national champion will receive $10,000, with additional cash prizes awarded to second- through fifth-place finishers.
“Grocery stores employ many people who take pride in serving their communities. Bagger positions play an important role in the customer experience, and this contest highlights the skill, dedication, and pride that grocery employees bring to their work,” WGA Board of Directors Chair Steve Burkhardt said.
SPECIAL NOTES:
- Darren Thao – TAO – rhymes with “how” or “now”
- Photos from the WGA Innovation Expo are from official event photographer Lashawna Vogel of Lashawna’s Lens.
- Image 1: Winner Darren Thao with Anastasia Poull, the 79th Alice in Dairyland
- Image 2: The top three contestants, from left to right: TJ Schubert of Festival Foods (third place), Darren Thao of Woodman’s Food Market (first place), and Amanda Mand of Festival Foods (second place), alongside Anastasia Poull, the 79th Alice in Dairyland
- Image 3: The top three contestants with Anastasia Poull, the 79th Alice in Dairyland
- Image 4: All contestants with Anastasia Poull, the 79th Alice in Dairyland
- Image 5: Woodman’s team and bagger contestants alongside employees cheering on their team
- Image 6: Contestants bagging groceries during the Great Wisconsin Bag-Off Championship
- Videos 1–3: Contestants compete in the final heat to determine the Great Wisconsin Bag-Off champion
- Additional photos and B-roll are available upon request. Please contact Michelle, and the WGA team will be happy to assist.
ABOUT THE WISCONSIN GROCERS ASSOCIATION (WGA)
The Wisconsin Grocers Association (WGA) is a non-profit trade association established in 1900 to represent independent grocers and grocery chains, warehouses and brokers, vendors, suppliers, and manufacturers before all levels of government. The WGA provides educational and networking opportunities, leadership training, public affairs, and compliance information for its membership.
WGA and its membership have significant economic impact in the state of Wisconsin. The WGA represents nearly 350 independent grocers with multiple locations across the state, more than 200 retail grocery chain stores, warehouses and distributors, convenience stores, food brokers and suppliers. Wisconsin grocers employ over 30,000 people with over $1 billion in payroll and generate more than $12 billion in annual sales in Wisconsin resulting in approximately $800 million in state sales tax revenue (data provided by The Food Institute).
