Hy-Vee's Kyle Bitterman claims 2026 Iowa Best Bagger title at State Fair

Bitterman finishes first at the Iowa Grocery Industry Association’s 39th annual grocery bagging competition.
 
DES MOINES, Iowa – In a contest to find the best grocery bagger in the state, Kyle Bitterman, who works at Hy-Vee in Davenport, IA, finished first. The Iowa Best Bagger contest was held Friday, August 14, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Three preliminary rounds narrowed the field of 15 contestants to seven for the final round. For his first place finish, Bitterman took home the Iowa Best Bagger title, a trophy, a $500 cash prize sponsored by Hiland Dairy and a trip for two to Las Vegas to compete in the National Best Bagger Competition in February 2027.

"We're proud to host this fun and competitive event each year at the Iowa State Fair," said Michelle Hurd, president of the Iowa Grocery Industry Association (IGIA). "It's an opportunity to showcase the skills and dedication from Iowa's talented grocery baggers, and it brings a spotlight to the grocery industry's ethic of hard work, superior service, and community values."

The 15 contestants hailed from all different grocery stores in 11 different towns across the state of Iowa.

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

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. 

Daven Peterson from the Boone Fareway secured second place and a $250 prize sponsored by Keurig Dr Pepper. River Tygret-Ross from the Ankeny Prairie Trail Hy-Vee earned $150 sponsored by Cookies BBQ for his third-place finish. Tanner Eisentrager from the Clear Lake Fareway took fourth place and $100 sponsored by PepsiCo.
 

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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)