Bagging for it: Spokane Valley Rosauers employee plans to compete for Washington State Best Bagger

Red, set … bag!

Jaycie Knudson of the Rosauers in Spokane Valley will be competing in the Washington State Best Bagger Competition on Wednesday.

The winner will represent the state at the national competition. The prize includes $2,000 and an all-expenses paid trip to the National Grocers Association Best Bagger Championship in Las Vegas in February.

Knudson is one of 10 baggers vying for the top spot in the state. Each contestant will compete in two rounds, and the top three baggers will advance to the final round.

In the first round, contestants will be required to fill three paper bags. In the second round, contestants will be required to fill three reusable bags. They’ll be judged on speed, bag-building technique, distribution of weight, style, attitude and appearance.

Wednesday’s competition takes place at Washington State Fair in Puyallup and is sponsored by the Washington Food Industry Association. It’s open to all grocers in the state. Contestants must spend more than 25 percent of their working hours bagging groceries as a regularly assigned duty.

Knudson is the only bagger from the Inland Northwest slated to participate in Wednesday’s competition.

The National Grocers Association has been holding Best Bagger Championships since 1987.