--- title: "NGA’s Best Bagger Championship Puts the ‘Pro’ in Produce" id: "32439" type: "post" slug: "ngas-best-bagger-championship-puts-the-pro-in-produce" published_at: "2016-03-11T20:53:11+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-16T15:41:20+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2016/03/11/ngas-best-bagger-championship-puts-the-pro-in-produce/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2016/03/11/ngas-best-bagger-championship-puts-the-pro-in-produce.md" excerpt: "Check out the fierce competitors in this year's food packing contest. Plus: Explore some of the biggest challenges diversity chiefs are facing." taxonomy_category: - "Career Development" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Business" - "competition" - "employee recognition" - "grocery" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Employee (Non-Manager)" taxonomy_persona: - "Industry Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » NGA’s Best Bagger Championship Puts the ‘Pro’ in Produce Ready? Set? Bag! Canned soups and cereal boxes flew at the Mirage hotel in Las Vegas for the [2016 NGA Best Bagger Championship (opens in a new tab)](http://www.nationalgrocers.org/special-programs/best-bagger) , an annual event hosted by the [National Grocers Association (opens in a new tab)](http://www.nationalgrocers.org/home) . Grocery store employees from 30 states flexed their bagging muscles for an audience of peers, coworkers, and bagging enthusiasts, turning every aisle into the express counter. While each contestant fought hard for first place, it was Washington’s Candice Lastimado of Metropolitan Markets who took home the $10,000 prize and the title of 2016’s Best Bagger. First held in 1987, in Dallas, the best-bagger competition has drawn significant media attention and A-list celebrities, such as Terry Bradshaw and David Letterman. Enthusiastic about the yearly event, NGA uses the competition to not only promote the association but also show appreciation for hardworking employees across the country. “The National Grocers Association Best Bagger Championship features retailers with infectious company pride and an enthusiastic commitment to customer service,” the association explained. ### Interview of the Day > New diversity chiefs share their biggest challenges [https://t.co/5LLxUOxNA6 (opens in a new tab)](https://t.co/5LLxUOxNA6) > [pic.twitter.com/7bjTu2n4Zp (opens in a new tab)](https://t.co/7bjTu2n4Zp) > > — Fast Company (@FastCompany) [March 11, 2016 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/FastCompany/status/708292398481346560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) **To help in the fight for equal opportunity** in the workplace, big names in software and tech have created the position of “diversity chief.” *Fast Company*‘s Lydia Dishman sits down with Airbnb’s and Autodesk’s newly appointed diversity chiefs to explain [the biggest issues facing the position (opens in a new tab)](http://www.fastcompany.com/3057715/the-future-of-work/new-diversity-chiefs-share-their-biggest-challenges) . ### Other Good Reads **See what the future has in store for nonprofits.** *NonProfit Quarterly* breaks down the most recent report on [nonprofit employment trends. (opens in a new tab)](https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2016/03/10/nonprofits-in-america-new-research-data-on-employment-wages-and-establishments/) **This week is Girl Scout Week.** Learn more about [the history of the organization (opens in a new tab)](http://www.girlscouts.org/en/about-girl-scouts/our-history.html) while you munch on Tagalongs or a Thin Mints. **Want an app without having to pay for it?** Amazon may have the answer. *WIRED* contributor Brian Barrett [explains Amazon’s new service (opens in a new tab)](http://www.wired.com/2016/03/amazon-underground-growth/) , Amazon Underground. (iStock/Thinkstock) [Eli Zimmerman](https://associationsnow.com/author/eli-zimmerman/) Eli is studying Journalism at the University of Maryland. When not studying, he likes to relax with a nice book or a couple rounds at the local boxing gym. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/eli-zimmerman/) Tags: [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/) [#competition](https://associationsnow.com/tag/competition/) [#employee recognition](https://associationsnow.com/tag/employee-recognition/) [#grocery](https://associationsnow.com/tag/grocery/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoSpeaking of Great Ideas…March 29, 2012](https://associationsnow.com/2012/03/29/speaking-of-great-ideas/) - [Video🚀 The Agile Association Professional: How to Pivot Your Career Path When the Strategic Plan ShiftsJuly 28, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/07/28/the-agile-association-professional-how-to-pivot-your-career-path-when-the-strategic-plan-shifts/) - [VideoUrban Land Institute- Project Recovery: Rebuilding Los Angeles After the January 2025 WildfiresSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/urban-land-institute-project-recovery-rebuilding-los-angeles-after-the-january-2025-wildfires/) - [PodcastAssociations NOW Presents: All for the Love of Chicago: Rethinking the Destination ExperienceSeptember 10, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/10/associations-now-presents-all-for-the-love-of-chicago-rethinking-the-destination-experience/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2016%2F03%2F11%2Fngas-best-bagger-championship-puts-the-pro-in-produce%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !