Natasha Artz from Fair City Foods in Huron took the top prize at the state’s first-ever “Best Bagger”competition hosted by the South Dakota Retailers Association at the State Fair on Friday, September 3rd.

Sponsored by Associated Wholesale Grocers, the inaugural Best Bagger Competition featured eleven different contestants from across the state. The quickest hands in the grocery business went head-to-head during this fun, fastpaced competition.

“It was an incredible event,” said Retailers Association Exec. Dir. Nathan Sanderson. “I’m proud that the South Dakota
Retailers Association could host this competition at the State Fair, and we’re already looking forward to next year.”

All contestants bagged identical grocery orders and were judged on speed, bag building technique, uniform bag weight,
and personal attitude and appearance.

Artz was the South Dakota Best Bagger Competition winner and received an expenses-paid trip to compete at the National Grocers Association’s National Competition in Las Vegas, N.V., plus a $200 cash prize. Abby Walder from HyVee in Sioux Falls took home second place and $150, and Jacob Hone also from a Sioux Falls Hy-Vee Store was awarded $100 and third place.

When asked about why Artz decided to compete in Friday’s event she explained that she was excited that something new was offered for the grocery industry and thought “why not try!” As a hometown contestant, Artz was surrounded by friends, family, and coworkers as she celebrated her victory.

Participants included: Natasha Artz from Fair City Foods in Huron, Jacob Boesel from Hy-Vee in Sioux Falls, Devon Enno
from Buche Foods in Mission, Theresa Gottlob from Coborn’s in Mitchell, Jacob Hone from Hy-Vee in Sioux Falls, Tyler
Jaeger from Hy-Vee in Sioux Falls, Ricky Kohlmeyer from Coborn’s in Huron, Brian Kalenda from Buche Foods in Gregory,
Kara Meisenhoelder from CashSmart in Scotland, Nicolaus Nelson from Cahoy’s General Store in Bonesteel, Abby
Waldner from Hy-Vee in Sioux Falls.

Look for the second annual Best Bagger Competition at the 2022 South Dakota State Fair!
______________________________________________________________________________________________