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Bitterman, 21, who is from Davenport, IA, has been bagging groceries for three years. This is his first time competing in the Iowa Best Bagger Contest. His best tips coming into the competition? "Don't overthink bagging and don’t miss the bag. Bag the groceries the way you would want yours bagged."

​​Bitterman 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.
 
Members of the crowd had a chance to win one of many gift cards for answering grocery industry trivia questions.

A mascot bagging competition took place while the scores for the final round were being tallied. The contestants were Coca-Cola Polar Bear, Chester the Cheetah, Fareway Frank, and Alpha from the Iowa Wolves sponsored by Hy-Vee. All for fun, Coca-Cola Polar Bear eked out the win in the playful competition.

​Companies sponsoring the 2026 Iowa Best Bagger Contest include the Iowa Grocery Industry Association, Coca-Cola, Cylinder Express, Dupey Equipment, Fareway Stores, Frito-Lay, Imperial Dade, Iowa Food & Family Project, Iowa Lottery and Neva’s. Prize sponsors were Hiland Dairy, Keurig Dr Pepper, Cookies Food Products and PepsiCo.
 
All non-perishable food items used in the competition were donated to the Food Bank of Iowa.
 
The Iowa Grocery Industry Association (IGIA) 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, suppliers 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)
2025: Brady Diercks (Fareway, Marion, Iowa)
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)

New park benches, picnic tables and ADA seating will help to beautify parks and schools throughout Iowa this summer, courtesy of the Iowa Grocery Industry Association’s Build with Bags program.
 
Six Iowa communities will be receiving grants of up to $2,000 to purchase items made from recycled plastic bags. Items include park benches made by Plastic Recycling of Iowa Falls. One park bench represents approximately 10,600 bags that won’t end up in the landfill.

The Iowa Grocery Industry Association (IGIA) is pleased to announce Annie Lallier has been promoted to events and member programs manager, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Annie has been a valued member of the IGIA team since 2018. She first joined the team as an intern, and most recently served as the events and programs specialist. Through her time with IGIA, she has demonstrated strong leadership and dedication to the association and our members.

“We are fortunate to have Annie on our team and look forward to seeing her continue to grow her skills, leadership and impact,” says Michelle Hurd, IGIA president.

Annie will continue to lead events and member programs, creating high-quality opportunities for members to engage and strengthen Iowa’s grocery industry.
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Please join us in congratulating Annie on this well-deserved promotion. 

​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.”

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

Diercks finishes first at the Iowa Grocery Industry Association’s 38th annual grocery bagging competition.
 
DES MOINES, Iowa – In a contest to find the best grocery bagger in the state, Brady Diercks, who works at the Fareway store in Marion, Iowa, finished first. The Iowa Best Bagger contest was held Friday, August 8, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, where Diercks claimed the Iowa Best Bagger title, a trophy, a $500 cash prize and a trip for two to Las Vegas to compete in the National Best Bagger Competition that will be held in February of next year.

New park benches, picnic tables and trash cans will help to beautify parks and schools throughout Iowa this summer, courtesy of the Iowa Grocery Industry Association’s Build with Bags program.
 
Six Iowa communities will be receiving grants of up to $2,000 to purchase items made from recycled plastic bags. Items include park benches made by Plastic Recycling of Iowa Falls. One park bench represents approximately 10,600 bags that won’t end up in the landfill.
 
“We are excited to announce the winners of this year’s Build with Bags grants,” says Michelle Hurd, president of the Iowa Grocery Industry Association. “Now in its 16th year, the program continues to encourage individuals to recycle their plastic bags so those bags can be turned into products that beautify our communities. We are proud to reward this year’s grant winners for their recycling efforts.”
 
A total of 13 applications were submitted from which six winners were selected by a committee of representatives in support of the Build with Bags program. Each committee member individually scored the applications. The scores were then combined for an overall point total. This year, the top six applicants with the most points received grants totaling $11,360.
 
Applications were evaluated based on set criteria that included a statement of need for the grant and the community’s own plastic bag recycling efforts. Grant applicants were also asked to verify the recycled plastic content in the products they were looking to purchase and to obtain an endorsement letter from a local grocer who is supportive of the community’s project and recycling plans.
 

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.”

​OCTOBER 1, 2024 // FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Grimes, IA) Mueller Yurgae Associates (MYA), a leading food broker and CSN Partner, is pleased to announce important changes within our Fresh & Perishable department that will ensure continued growth and seamless service for our clients and customers.

​“Sweet” Addition Hits the Pizza and Frozen Dessert Aisle

Kaukauna, WI – Bernatello’s Foods, a frozen pizza manufacturer located in Wisconsin and Minnesota, is proud to introduce the latest innovative addition to their Bellatoria portfolio. Sweetee-Pie Dessert Pizzas, available in Apple, Cinnamon, Cherry, and Blueberry Streusel, are now available in local retailers and offer consumers an alternative option in the “dessert” pizza category.