ROCKLAND — Amy Taylor, of Shaw’s Supermarkets in Rockland, is Maine’s 2018 Best Bagger Champion. Taylor received an expense-paid trip to San Diego (for two) to represent Maine at the 2019 National Championship, held at National Grocer Association Show, February 24 – 27, 2019.

In California, she will compete for a grand prize of $10,000.

For many, bagging is the start to a long, dedicated career in the grocery store sector, according to a Maine Grocers and Food Producers Association news release. MGFPA hosted Maine’s Fifth Annual Best Bagger Championship, Thursday, Sept. 27, to honor the state’s “best” grocery checkout bagger.

Prior that that event, which was in partnership with The Maine Mall in South Portland, local independent grocers and Maine-based chains hosted preliminary qualifying rounds and sent their top baggers to the championship.

Nine subsequent best bagger contestants were judged on the national criteria which include speed, proper bag building technique, distribution of weight between bags, style, attitude and appearance.

“The best bagger competition shines a light on the significance of quality baggers and brings excitement and recognition to the position and industry,” the release said.

Bagging is a critically important step for many grocery stores as it is the last impression of the store’s attention to detail, emphasizes the employee and store’s dedication to exceptional customer service and helps ensure customers’ food gets home in perfect condition.  

For many, bagging is the start to a long, dedicated career in the grocery store sector. The best bagger competition shines a light on the significance of quality baggers and brings excitement and recognition to the position and industry.

Bagging is a critically important step for many grocery stores as it is the last impression of the store’s attention to detail, emphasizes the employee and store’s dedication to exceptional customer service and helps ensure customers’ food gets home in perfect condition. 

Placing second was Melanie Dix of Shaw’s Supermarkets in Scarborough, and coming in third place was Taylor Hett of Hannaford Supermarkets in North Berwick.

All groceries used during the Championship were then donated to Good Shepherd Food Bank.