Trig’s employee named Wisconsin’s Bag-Off Champion

Trig’s own Christina Powers is preparing to compete for the National Best Bagger Championship title, and $10,000 cash prize, March 10-12 at the National Grocer’s Association (NGA) Convention in Las Vegas, after winning the Great Wisconsin Bag-Off, hosted by the Wisconsin Grocers Association (WGA) in October.

The Wisconsin title has earned Powers an invitation to compete at the national level, an all-expenses paid trip for two to Las Vegas, $500 cash, and a trophy, according to a press release issued by T.A. Solberg Co. the parent company of Trig’s.

On Thursday, March 7, Powers will be working her last shift before going “wheels up” to Las Vegas with the Trig’s team. Trig’s Tomahawk store invites the community to join them in a rally to wish Christina 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 Christina 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 public is welcome. Powers will also be handing out themed buffalo plaid reusable shopping bags to 1,000 of her guests on March 4-7.

The Great Wisconsin Bag-Off is Wisconsin’s version of the National Best Bagger Competition and determines who represents our home state in Vegas, the release states. 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. Baggers are judged on five criteria including 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 over 25 states.

“We are incredibly proud of Christina’s accomplishment,” said Bob Jaskolski, President & 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.”

Owned by the T.A. Solberg Co., Trig’s has five locations in Eagle River, Rhinelander, Minocqua, Tomahawk and Manitowish Waters.