Springfield, IL – A 17-year-old Rock Island grocery worker has earned statewide “bagging rights” after winning Illinois’ first Best Bagger Competition at the Illinois State Fair, securing a trip to Las Vegas and a shot at $10,000.
According to the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, Carlos Sabino, an employee at Hy-Vee in Rock Island, won the inaugural competition Monday on the Grand Central Stage at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.
Sabino received $500 and two round-trip airline tickets to Las Vegas, provided by United Airlines. He will advance to the National Grocers Association Best Bagger Championship, where he will have an opportunity to compete for a $10,000 grand prize.
Shelby Morton, who works at Hy-Vee in Galesburg, finished second and received $250. Mike Clark of Hy-Vee in Moline took third place and earned $100.
The competition involved more than simply putting groceries into bags quickly. Contestants were judged on bagging speed, proper bag-building technique, weight distribution, style, attitude and professional demeanor. Hy-Vee provided the groceries used during the competition.
“Congratulations to Carlos, who will forever have ‘bagging rights’ as the champion of the state’s first Best Bagger Competition,” IRMA President and CEO Rob Karr said.
Karr said the contest also provided an opportunity to recognize grocery professionals across Illinois and the role stores play in their communities.
The Illinois Retail Merchants Association represents more than 23,000 stores across the state, ranging from major national retailers to independent businesses.
Sabino will now take his Illinois title to the national stage in Las Vegas, where the state’s first Best Bagger champion will compete for the $10,000 top prize.
