On Monday, February 24 at 7 p.m. an underdog sporting competition will be held in Las Vegas: the National Bag Off. Hosted by the National Grocer’s Association, the tournament will allow bag clerks from across the country to show off their skills. The Lake Country area will be well-represented by Paul Dowe, a skilled bagger at Sendik’s Oconomowoc.
Recently, Paul was honored to receive an award for “Best Bagger” in Wisconsin, courtesy of the Wisconsin Grocer’s Association. Thanks to his achievements, he’s being advanced to the national stage. For the past 30 years, the National Grocer’s association has sponsored the Best Bagger championship. The event gives competitors the chance to win the title of Best National Bagger as well as a $10,000 cash prize. Fifteen baggers hailing from separate states will take part in the competition.
The last time a Wisconsinite won the Best Bagger competition was in 2012. That year, Stephanie Teteak from Larry’s Piggly Wiggly took home the coveted title. Paul’s success would bring the title back to Wisconsin. For the past two years competitors from Utah have won, although they were different competitors and came from different stores.
The winner of the contest is determined by which contestant earns the most points. Points are given for a variety of categories including speed, style, proper bag building technique, and distribution of weight. Each competitor will be faced with an identical grocery order that contains anywhere between 30 and 38 items. The exact items included in the National Best Bagger competition are concealed from the contestants until the start of the competition. Just like during a typical shift at the grocery store, the baggers won’t know the scope of what needs to be bagged until the moment they have to start bagging.
2025 has already proven to be an eventful year for Sendik’s. In addition to participating in the Bag Off, Sendik’s received the 2025 Thomas K. Zaucha Entrepreneurial Excellence Award at The National Grocer’s Association Show. The award aims to recognize local and independent grocers for their hard work. Ted Balistreri, co-owner of the Milwaukee based grocery store chain, accepted the award at the NGA Show this week. The chain has expanded to include 18 stores, including the location in Oconomowoc.
For those interested in viewing the Bag Off, it will be broadcast live on the NGA Facebook page.
