information from WFIA

Candice Lastimado, a courtesy clerk at the West Seattle Metropolitan Market, took home a first place trophy and a check for $2,000 in a heated competition at the Washington Best Bagger Battle held in Spokane last night.
Washington’s Best Bagger Battle is sponsored by the Washington Food Industry Association (WFIA). Metropolitan Market is a member of the association.

In February 2016, Ms. Lastimado will vie for the national title and $10,000 in prize money at the 30th Annual National Grocers Association Best Bagger Competition in Las Vegas, NV.
“Candice is seasoned grocery bagging competitor,” said Jan Gee, WFIA President and CEO. “Last year she was the first runner-up in our state Best Bagger Battle, taking home $1,000 in prize money. She will represent us well in Las Vegas next year.”

Courtesy clerks from Metropolitan Market, located in the Admiral District at 2320 42nd Ave., SW, have done well at the annual Best Bagger Battle. The store’s 2012 representative in the competition, Andrew Borracchini, not only took the state championship, but went on to win at the national level. As the national champion, Borracchini took home $10,000 in national prize money and appeared on “The Late Show with David Letterman” in a bag-off competition with the television personality.

Participants in the Best Bagger Battle were judged on a rigorous criterion of speed, style, technique, and uniform bag weight. The competition consisted of up to three rounds. The first used paper bags, while the second required participants to fill reusable bags. A bruising third and final round determined the ultimate winner.

Ten courtesy clerks from around the state competed in last night’s Best Bagger Battle. Nathan Palmer, a courtesy clerk at the Issaquah QFC, was the first runner- up, earning him $1,000. The third place winner was
WFIA, which sponsors the Washington Best Bagger Battle, was founded in 1899 and represents the state’s independent grocers. Membership includes all levels of the food and beverage distribution industry that collaborate to promote the principles of free enterprise which ensure a vigorous, competitive, economically healthy food industry. The grocery industry provides about 50,000 Washington jobs. For more information, visit www.wa-food-ind.org.