​Fareway’s Harrison Dahm Wins Iowa’s 2023 Best Bagger Title

Dahm finishes first at the Iowa Grocery Industry Association’s 36th annual grocery bagging competition.
 
DES MOINES, Iowa – In a contest to find the best grocery bagger in the state, Harrison Dahm, who works at the Fareway store in Denison, finished first. The Iowa Best Bagger contest was held Friday, August 11, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, where Dahm 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 March of next year.

Harrison Dahm (left) received $500 first place prize presented by Scott Barnard (left) of Hiland Dairy

“The Iowa Best Bagger Contest spotlights talented Iowans and the grocery industry in a very positive way by promoting the ethics of hard work and community. All of the baggers did an outstanding job,” said Michelle Hurd, president of the Iowa Grocery Industry Association, which hosts the event annually at the Iowa State Fair. “Once again, it was a close contest. Harrison demonstrated great composure, speed and style.”
 
“Grocery baggers play an important role when it comes to creating a positive shopping experience for customers.”

Placing second in the Iowa Best Bagger competition was Aliciah Vasquez, who works at the Park Avenue Hy-Vee in Des Moines. She received $250. Daven Peterson, who works at the Fareway in Woodward, won $150 for finishing third. And Matt Moore, who works at the Prairie Trail Hy-Vee in Ankeny, placed fourth and took home $100.

Left to right: Matt Moore (4th place), Aliciah Vasquez (2nd place), Harrison Dahm (1st place), Daven Peterson (3rd place)

​Dahm, 19, who lives in Denison, has been bagging groceries for three years. This year is his third year competing in the Iowa Best Bagger Contest. In 2022 he earned 2nd place and in 2021 he earned 4th place.
 
Dahm will represent Iowa at the 2024 National Grocers Association Best Bagger Contest in March. The reward for winning in Las Vegas includes a $10,000 prize. Once there, he will attempt to bring home a ninth national title for Iowa. Iowans have a proud tradition of winning at the national contest – Iowa holds more national titles than any other state.
 
A total of 16 individuals from around Iowa qualified to take part in the 2023 Iowa Best Bagger event, which celebrated its 36th year at the Iowa State Fair. Contestants bagged identical grocery orders consisting of approximately 35 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.
 
Companies sponsoring the 2023 Iowa Best Bagger Contest include the Iowa Grocery Industry Association, Coca-Cola, Cylinder Express, Dupey Equipment, Frito-Lay, Iowa Food & Family Project and Iowa Lottery. Prize sponsors include 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 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 1,500 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)
1987: Paul Heffernan (Fareway Stores, Manchester, Iowa)
1986: Paul Heffernan (Fareway Stores, Manchester, Iowa)
 
 
Iowa Best Bagger Champions (Since 1995)
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)