Store to host send-off rally ahead of Las Vegas trip
For the Tomahawk Leader
TOMAHAWK – After winning the Great Wisconsin Bag-Off last year, Trig’s Tomahawk employee Christina Powers is preparing to compete for the National Best Bagger title.
Powers took the top spot in the state-level competition, hosted by the Wisconsin Grocers Association (WGA), in Oct. 2023. The Wisconsin title earned Powers an invitation to compete at the national level, an all-expense paid trip for two to Las Vegas, Nev., $500.00 cash and a trophy.
The national competition will be held at the National Grocer’s Association (NGA) Convention in Las Vegas, Nev., slated for Sunday, March 10 through Tuesday, March 12.
Powers will work her last shift on Thursday, March 7, before going “wheels up” to Las Vegas with the Trig’s team. Trig’s Tomahawk store is inviting the community to join them in a rally to wish Powers luck and send her off in style.
At 11 a.m., an internal bag-off contest will be held near the back of the produce department to get Powers warmed up. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Trig’s will provide a free Smokehouse World’s Best Brat or Hot Dog lunch from their Community Brat Hut, and cake will be provided in the store.
“The Great Wisconsin Bag-Off is Wisconsin’s version of the National Best Bagger Competition and determines who represents our home state in Vegas,” a release from Trig’s said. “According to the WGA, the purpose of the bagging competition is to encourage teaching and development of skills to successful bagging, promoting fair and friendly competition among retailers and incorporating guest service knowledge and skills into a learning experience.”
The release said baggers are judged on five criteria: speed, proper bag building technique, style, attitude and appearance, number of bags used and uniform bag weight. The competition includes both a live interview and the timed bag-off.
NGA, a trade association focused on representing the independent sector of the food industry, has been hosting the Best Bagger Competition for over 30 years and has participation from more than 25 states.
“We are incredibly proud of Christina’s accomplishment,” said Bob Jaskolski, President and CEO of T.A. Solberg Company. “This is an outstanding achievement and a credit to the great job she does for us every day. Her hard work and commitment to excellence have not only contributed to her success, but have also set a remarkable example for our newer baggers. We are excited to celebrate with Christina and congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition.”