DES MOINES, Iowa—The annual Iowa Best Bagger Contest, hosted by the Iowa Grocery Industry Association, took place Friday at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. The competition was located on the stage of the Susan Knapp Amphitheater. More than 300 people gathered to view the event and cheer on their favorite local grocer. The competition featured the state’s best baggers and provided a chance for them to exhibit their skills.
This year’s event spotlighted contestants in three heats of preliminary competition, followed by a championship round featuring the top six baggers who scored the most points in the preliminary heats. Contestants bagged identical grocery orders consisting of over 30 commonly purchased items into reusable shopping bags. They were ranked primarily on weight distribution among bags and speed, but proper item arrangement and individual style were also scored.
Our Fareway contestants proudly represented us, demonstrating what service with gratitude means in competition!
Results are as follows:
1st Place: Brady Diercks – 949 Marion Fareway Meat & Grocery
2nd Place: Aliciah Vasquez – HyVee
3rd Place: Daven Peterson – 384 Boone Fareway Meat & Grocery
4th Place: Tanner Eisentrager – 061 Ankeny North Fareway Meat & Grocery
Brady Diercks will advance to represent the state of Iowa at the National Grocer’s Association Convention in the Best Bagger Competition in Las Vegas, NV in February 2026.
Video of the Finals Competition: https://fareway.canto.com/b/LM5OT
Fareway Stores, Inc. CEO Reynolds Cramer talks about the competition and state champion Brady Diercks talks about why he enjoys his job and the National Competition in February : https://fareway.canto.com/b/M0BC6
Fareway was well represented in the competition with contestants from across the state participating:
Kendra Schuette 409-Carroll
Daven Peterson 384-Boone
Brady Diercks 949-Marion
Tapanga Blom 625-Oskaloosa
Hunter Ellis-Hanscom 699-Osceola
Tanner Eisentrager 061-North Ankeny
Brody Reese 551-Eagle Grove
(contribute press release and videos, Fareway Stores, Inc.)
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