​The dinner on Nov. 20 spotlighted leaders whose work has made a lasting impact on the grocery industry.

URBANDALE, NOVEMBER 25, 2025: The Iowa Grocery Industry Association (IGIA) is honored to recognize its 2025 Hall of Fame award winners and their laudable commitment to advancing the grocery, convenience and food industries.
 
"Each year, we are proud to celebrate the accomplishments of our industry and to honor individuals who have made a permanent and lasting mark on the food industry in Iowa,” said Michelle Hurd, President of IGIA. “Their dedication and leadership continue to shape the future of grocery, and they are a testament to the values and hard work that IGIA members stand for.”

Hundreds of industry professionals and supporters gathered to celebrate the winners during a ceremony on Nov. 19 in West Des Moines.

Congratulations to the following Hall of Fame award winners:

• Supplier of the Year — Voss Distributing
• Volunteer of the Year — Wesson Kingma, Fareway Stores, Inc.
• Legislative Leadership — David Ring, Kwik Star
• Lifetime Achievement — Donna Tweeten, Hy-Vee, Inc.
• Retail Leader of the Year — Jill Eilderts, Hometown Foods​

Recipients are selected by the IGIA Hall of Fame committee based upon peer nomination and award-specific criteria, including contributions to the grocery industry, years of involvement in the industry, membership and participation in and contributions to the association, superior customer service and community involvement. The awards were first established in 1982 and have recognized hundreds of individuals through the decades.

 
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​About the Iowa Grocery Industry Association
The Iowa Grocery Industry Association is a state trade association that represents the food industry, including chain and independent supermarkets, convenience stores, suppliers, wholesalers, brokers, manufacturers, and distributors. Founded in 1899, the IGIA has long served as a resource to its members, the food industry and the general public through education, legislative, partnership and philanthropic programs. Headquartered in Urbandale, Iowa, the IGIA can be found online at www.iowagrocers.com.
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Media Contact
Audrey Comer
Marketing and Communications Specialist, Iowa Grocery Industry Association
(515) 270-2628, acomer@iowagrocers.com
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PHOTOS currently available at iowagrocers.com/HOF.

DES MOINES, Iowa: The Iowa Grocery Industry Association (IGIA) is honored to recognize its 2025 Hall of Fame award winners and their extraordinary commitment to advancing grocery, convenience and food industries.

Congratulations to the following Hall of Fame award winners:

• Voss Distributing – Supplier of the Year
• Wesson Kingma, Fareway Stores, Inc. – Volunteer of the Year
• David Ring, Kwik Star – Legislative Leadership
• Donna Tweeten, Hy-Vee, Inc. – Lifetime Achievement
• Jill Eilderts, Hometown Foods – Retail Leader of the Year

“Each is an outstanding example of the values and dedication our members stand for,” says Michelle Hurd, IGIA president. “We are proud to come together as an industry to celebrate and formally lift up the leaders who are moving us forward.”

Recipients are selected by the IGIA Hall of Fame committee based upon peer nomination and award-specific criteria, including contributions to the grocery industry, years of involvement in the industry, membership and participation in and contributions to the association, superior customer service and community involvement. The awards were first established in 1982 and have recognized hundreds of individuals through the decades.

“For the first time in our award history, the Retail Leader of the Year and Lifetime Achievement award recipients are women,” says Hurd. “It’s well-deserved recognition for these two leaders’ achievements and a milestone moment for the many women who are raising the bar in the industry.”

IGIA members, industry professionals and supporters are invited to celebrate the winners during the Hall of Fame dinner and award ceremony on Nov. 20 at the Sheraton in West Des Moines. More details can be found at iowagrocers.com/hall-of-fame-dinner.

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About the Iowa Grocery Industry Association
The Iowa Grocery Industry Association is a state trade association that represents the food industry, including chain and independent supermarkets, convenience stores, suppliers, wholesalers, brokers, manufacturers, and distributors. Founded in 1899, the IGIA has long served as a resource to its members, the food industry and the general public through education, legislative, partnership and philanthropic programs. Headquartered in Urbandale, Iowa, the IGIA can be found online at www.iowagrocers.com.

Media Contact
Audrey Comer
Marketing and Communications Specialist, Grocery Industry Association
(515) 270-2628, acomer@iowagrocers.com

 ​“The Iowa Best Bagger Contest is such a fun event that the Iowa Grocery Industry Association is proud to host each year at the State Fair,” said Michelle Hurd, president of the Iowa Grocery Industry Association (IGIA). “It’s an opportunity to showcase the skills and dedication of Iowa’s talented grocery baggers, and it brings a spotlight to the grocery industry’s ethic of hard work and community values.”

“Iowa’s grocery stores play a crucial role in their communities, and baggers are an essential part of that role,” Hurd added. “All of the competing baggers did an excellent job.”

Aliciah Vasquez from the Des Moines Park Avenue Hy-Vee secured second place and a $250 prize. Daven Peterson of the Fareway in Boone earned $150 for his third-place finish, while Tanner Eisentrager from the Fareway in Ankeny took fourth place and $100.
 
Diercks, 21, who is from Marion, IA, has been bagging groceries for six years. This is his second time competing in the Iowa Best Bagger Contest. Last year, he placed second at the Iowa contest.
 
Diercks will represent Iowa at the National Grocers Association Best Bagger Contest in February. The reward for winning in Las Vegas includes a $10,000 prize. Once there, he will attempt to bring home an eighth national title for Iowa. Iowans have a proud tradition of winning at the national contest – only one other state, Utah, holds as many national titles as Iowa.
 
A total of 15 individuals from around Iowa qualified to take part in the 2025 Iowa Best Bagger event, which celebrated its 38th year at the Iowa State Fair. Contestants bagged identical grocery orders consisting of no more than 40 commonly purchased items into three reusable grocery bags. They were scored and ranked primarily on weight distribution among bags, speed and proper item arrangement.
 
The top six finishers winnowed from three preliminary heats competed in the final round.
 
Members of the crowd had a chance to win one of many gift cards for answering grocery industry trivia questions.

A celebrity bagging competition took place while the scores for the final round were being tallied. Local 5’s Iowa Live host Lou Sipolt won the contest and received $250 for the charity of his choice. Sipolt selected Iowa Wildlife Center. Calyn Thompson, Today in Iowa co-anchor, and Ben Kaplan, KCCI 8 anchor, also competed in the celebrity competition.
 
Companies sponsoring the 2025 Iowa Best Bagger Contest include the Iowa Grocery Industry Association, Coca-Cola, Cylinder Express, Dupey Equipment, Frito-Lay, Iowa Food & Family Project and Neva’s. Prize sponsors include Hiland Dairy, Keurig Dr Pepper, Cookies Food Products, Fareway Stores Inc. and PepsiCo.
 
All non-perishable food items used in the competition were donated to the Food Bank of Iowa.
 
The Iowa Grocery Industry Association is a nonprofit association that conducts programs in education and public affairs on behalf of its members, which are independent and chain grocery stores, convenience stores, food wholesalers servicing Iowa, food brokers and manufacturers. The Association's approximate 1,600 retail and supplier members are responsible for providing close to 100,000 jobs in Iowa.

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About the Iowa Grocery Industry Association
The Iowa Grocery Industry Association is a state trade association that represents the food industry, including chain and independent supermarkets, convenience stores, suppliers, wholesalers, brokers, manufacturers and distributors. Founded in 1899, the IGIA has long served as a resource to its members, the food industry and the general public through education, legislative, partnership and philanthropic programs. Headquartered in Urbandale, Iowa, the IGIA can be found online at www.iowagrocers.com.
 
National Best Bagger Champions from Iowa
2021: Ben Miller (Hy-Vee, Waukee, Iowa)
2019: Dwayne Campbell (Hy-Vee, Des Moines, Iowa)
2018: Trevor DeForest (Fareway, Maquoketa, Iowa)
2000: Mike Mechura (Fareway Stores, Boone, Iowa)
1997: Allen Weimerskirch (Fareway Stores, Creston, Iowa)
1996: Mike Dahm (Fareway Stores, New Hampton, Iowa)
1994: Jeff Stearns (Fareway Stores, Boone, Iowa)

 
Iowa Best Bagger Champions (Since 1995)
2024: Titus Doak (Fareway, Oskaloosa, Iowa)
2023: Harrison Dahm (Fareway, Denison, Iowa)
2022: Nolan McGregor (Fareway, Sergeant Bluff, Iowa)
2021: Ben Miller (Hy-Vee, Waukee, Iowa)
2019: Dwayne Campbell (Hy-Vee, Des Moines, Iowa)
2018: Dwayne Campbell (Hy-Vee, Des Moines, Iowa)
2017: Trevor DeForest (Fareway, Maquoketa, Iowa)
2016: James Armstrong (Hy-Vee, Ankeny, Iowa)
2015: Dallas Lehman (Hy-Vee, Johnston, Iowa)
2014: Tyler Miller (Hy-Vee, West Des Moines, Iowa)
2013: Matthew Munstermann (Hy-Vee, Altoona, Iowa)
2012: Tim Hannan (Fareway Stores, Des Moines)
2011: Jacob Laursen (Fareway Stores, Cresco, Iowa)
2010: Jeremy Mescher (Fareway Stores, Sheldon, Iowa)
2009: David Kistenmacher (Fareway Stores, Cedar Rapids, Iowa)
2008: Brian Beneke (Fareway Stores, Cresco, Iowa)
2007: Aric Reicks (Fareway Stores, Sioux City, Iowa)
2006: Brenda Wygle (Fareway Stores, New Hampton, Iowa)
2005: Dan Klinkenberg (Fareway Stores, Eagle Grove, Iowa)
2004: Tony Haisman (Fareway Stores, Waterloo, Iowa)
2003: Kevin McCormick (Fareway Stores, Ottumwa, Iowa)
2002: Jim Westphalen (Fareway Stores, Clinton, Iowa)
2001: Jeff Kessler (Hy-Vee, Iowa City, Iowa)
2000: Keith Voss (Fareway Stores, Vinton, Iowa)
1999: Mike Mechura (Fareway Stores, Boone, Iowa)
1998: Steve Tielbur (Fareway Stores, Boone, Iowa)
1997: Roger Wirtz (Fareway Stores, Cherokee, Iowa)
1996: Allen Weimerskirch (Fareway Stores, Creston, Iowa)
1995: Mike Dahm (Fareway Stores, New Hampton, Iowa)
 
 

Geographic location also played a factor as the committee sought to disperse the grant awards around the state of Iowa. Local Iowa grocers played an important role in making the grants possible. Store representatives throughout the state wrote letters of support that led to their communities being selected to receive a grant.
 
“While the endorsement letter was not the most weighted category in the selection process, it is an important component of the Build with Bags program,” Hurd explains. “It reflects how the applying community is working with its local grocers to establish long-term projects and goals that help increase the awareness of plastic bag recycling.”
 
Encouraging purchases of furniture and equipment made from recycled plastic for parks and schools through its grant program is one of four goals established by Build with Bags partners. The other three include increasing the number of plastic bags recycled, reducing consumption of plastic bags and increasing the safe use of reusable bags.
 
Participating retailers include Fareway Stores and Hy-Vee locations statewide plus many independent grocers.
 
Build with Bags is a cooperative effort of the Iowa Grocery Industry Association, Keep Iowa Beautiful, Metro Waste Authority in Des Moines and Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Originally launched in August 2009, the Build with Bags Grant program has awarded $ 381,804 in grants to approximately 250 Iowa communities.
 
For more information on Build with Bags Grants, visit www.iowagrocers.com.

 
2025 Grant Recipients

City of Alden
Grant Amount: $1,938
Project: 2 Picnic tables and 2 Benches
Local Grocer: Stephanie Dagel, Hy-Vee Iowa Falls

City of Havelock Hometown Pride Committee
Grant Amount: $1,791
Project: One Picnic table and One ADA accessible picnic tables
Local Grocer: Kent Woods, Woods Supermarket

Friends of Mahaska County Conservation
Grant Amount: $2,000
Project: 6 ADA Picnic tables and 2 trash cans
Local Grocer: John Stearns, Fareway Oskaloosa

Pocahontas Hometown Pride Committee
Grant Amount: $1,632
Project: 6 Benches
Local Grocer: Kent Woods, Woods Supermarket

Wayne County Fair
Grant Amount: $2,000
Project: Benches, picnics tables and trash cans
Local Grocer: Becca Bellman, Hy-Vee Corydon

Winneshiek County Conservation
Grant Amount: $2,000
Project: 8 Picnic tables
Local Grocer: Ariana Cervantes, Hy-Vee Decorah

 
About the Iowa Grocery Industry Association
The Iowa Grocery Industry Association is a state trade association that represents the food industry, including chain and independent supermarkets, convenience stores, mass merchandisers, wholesalers, brokers, manufacturers and distributors. Founded in 1899, the IGIA has long served as a resource to its members, the food industry and the general public through education, legislative, partnership and philanthropic programs. The IGIA has headquarters in Urbandale, Iowa, and can be found online at www.iowagrocers.com.
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Iowa Grocery Industry Association Hall of Fame award winners celebrated Nov. 19

URBANDALE, NOVEMBER 20, 2024: The Iowa Grocery Industry Association (IGIA) is honored to recognize its 2024 Hall of Fame award winners and their laudable commitment to advancing the grocery, convenience and food industries.
 
"Each year, we are proud to celebrate the exceptional companies and individuals whose dedication and leadership continue to shape the future of the grocery and food industry," said Michelle Hurd, President of IGIA. “Each of these winners are outstanding examples of the values and hard work our members stand for.”

​
Hundreds of industry professionals and supporters gathered to celebrate the winners during a ceremony on Nov. 19 in West Des Moines.

Congratulations to the following Hall of Fame award winners:

• Jeremy Gosch, Hy-Vee, Inc. – Retail Leader of the Year Award
• Kirk Tyler, Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company – Lifetime Achievement Award
• Jack Whitver, Iowa Senate Majority Leader – Legislative Leadership Award
• Liz Baker, Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company – Volunteer of the Year Award
• Sazerac – Supplier of the Year Award

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Recipients are selected by the IGIA Hall of Fame committee based upon peer nomination and award-specific criteria, including contributions to the grocery industry, years of involvement in the industry, membership and participation in and contributions to the association, superior customer service and community involvement. The awards were first established in 1982 and have recognized hundreds of individuals through the decades.

 
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​About the Iowa Grocery Industry Association
The Iowa Grocery Industry Association is a state trade association that represents the food industry, including chain and independent supermarkets, convenience stores, suppliers, wholesalers, brokers, manufacturers, and distributors. Founded in 1899, the IGIA has long served as a resource to its members, the food industry and the general public through education, legislative, partnership and philanthropic programs. Headquartered in Urbandale, Iowa, the IGIA can be found online at www.iowagrocers.com.
​
Media Contact
Audrey Comer
Marketing and Communications Specialist, Iowa Grocery Industry Association
(515) 270-2628, acomer@iowagrocers.com

​After 40+ years of dedicated service and leadership, Mark Croft (Senior Director of Fresh) will be retiring on December 31, 2024. Mark was the founder and owner of Market Merchandisers, an agency he started in 1997. In July of 2020, MYA acquired Market Merchandisers and Mark joined the MYA team. Mark brought along the driving force behind our success within the produce area of our business, bringing his vision and dedication to every aspect of our operations.

“We wish Mark all the best as he embarks on this new chapter of his life and I am confident that his future endeavors will be as successful as his tenure with us” said Jeff Yurgae, President of MYA. With Mark’s upcoming retirement, MYA is announcing the following organizational changes that will go into effect on October 1, 2024:

Stephen Larson will be promoted to Senior Director of Fresh & Perishable, where he will lead our Fresh & Perishable team. Stephen brings a wealth of experience and has been an integral part of our team, working closely with Mark to ensure continued excellence in service and performance. We are confident that under Stephen’s leadership, MYA will continue to drive success in the this category.

Steven Baldassaro will be promoted to Director of Fresh & Perishable, reporting to Stephen Larson. In this new role, Steven will focus on driving business growth and identifying new opportunities to expand offerings.

These changes reflect MYA's commitment to providing consistent high-quality service and support that our clients and customers have come to expect. For any questions or concerns during this transition period, clients and customers can reach out to the following MYA team members:

Stephen Larson, Senior Director of Fresh & Perishable slarson@mya-sales.com
Steven Baldassaro, Director of Fresh & Perishable sbaldassaro@mya-sales.com
Justin Heidenreich, Exec. Vice President, Grocery South jheidenreich@mya-sales.com
Jeff Yurgae, President jyurgae@mya-sales.com

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About Mueller Yurgae Associates
Mueller Yurgae Associates (MYA) is a family-owned, independent regional food broker headquartered in Grimes, Iowa. Formed in 1975, MYA has evolved into an organization capable of offering a wide range of services to our clients and customers, all focused on sales goal achievement. Our sales and administration professionals cover the Midwest, with a passion for success unmatched in the industry. MYA is a CSN Partner, offering national coverage through like-minded brokers across the country. For more information about MYA visit www.mya-sales.com.

Bernatello’s Foods is a family-owned and operated company with manufacturing facilities in Maple Lake, MN, Kaukauna, WI, and Waupaca, WI. They are a direct store delivery-based company, dedicated to the marketing and manufacturing of innovative, quality pizza and frozen products, while providing outstanding service and value to retailers and customers. Bernatello’s Foods has distribution in the Midwest with a direct store delivery system. They are passionate about taking care of people and making a lasting positive impact on the lives they serve—one slice at a time. Their brand portfolio includes Brew Pub Lotzza Motzza, Bellatoria, Orv’s, Roma, and Pizza Corner. Hungry for more? Visit www.bernatellos.com.

​“The Iowa Best Bagger Contest highlights the skills and dedication of Iowa’s talented grocery baggers, and it brings a spotlight to the grocery industry’s ethic of hard work and community values. All of the baggers did an excellent job,” said Michelle Hurd, president of the Iowa Grocery Industry Association, which hosts the event annually at the Iowa State Fair.
 
Grocery baggers play a crucial role in enhancing the shopping experience for customers, Hurd noted.

The annual Iowa Best Bagger Contest, hosted by the Iowa Grocery Industry Association, takes place annually at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. The competition will begin at 1 p.m. on the stage of the Susan Knapp Amphitheater, located on Grand Ave., east of the grandstand and midway just past the Animal Learning Center on the north side of the street. 
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Each year, around 200 spectators come out to support their local baggers in this entertaining contest. It’s a chance to see Iowa’s top baggers showcase their skills and compete head-to-head.

“The Iowa Best Bagger Contest is an event fairgoers and grocery lovers alike look forward to each year,” says Michelle Hurd, President of the Iowa Grocery Industry Association. “It’s not only a fun spectacle but also an important display of the ethos at work in grocery stores across the state, building employee morale, striving for excellence in service, and promoting Iowa’s grocery industry as a growing and exciting industry in which to work.”
 
This year’s contest will highlight 16 participants through three preliminary rounds, culminating in a final showdown featuring the top six baggers from the earlier heats.

Competitors will pack identical grocery orders, each containing up to 40 commonly purchased items, into reusable bags. They’ll be judged on how well they balance the weight of the bags and their bagging speed, but proper item arrangement and individual style will also be scored.

Top contenders will earn cash prizes, with the champion receiving a trip for two to the National Best Bagger Contest in Las Vegas, where they could win a grand prize of $10,000.

Audience members also have a chance to win gift cards by answering grocery industry trivia questions.

Sponsors of the 2024 Iowa Best Bagger Contest include the Iowa Grocery Industry Association, Coca-Cola, Cylinder Express, Dupey Equipment, Frito-Lay, and Iowa Food & Family Project. Prize contributions come from Hiland Dairy, Keurig Dr Pepper, Cookies Food Products, Fareway Stores Inc., and PepsiCo.

All non-perishable items used in the competition will be donated to the Food Bank of Iowa.

The Iowa Grocery Industry Association is a nonprofit association that conducts programs in education and public affairs on behalf of its members, which are independent and chain grocery stores, convenience stores, food wholesalers servicing Iowa, service providers, food brokers and manufacturers.