(Photos courtesy Washington Food Industry Association)

Congratulations to Candice Lastimado, a courtesy clerk at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) in Admiral, the store’s second Washington’s Best Bagger champ in four years. She won the title, the trophy, and a $2,000 prize this week at the Washington Food Industry Association-presented event in Spokane. She was accompanied by quite the team:

With her in that photo are her coach – store director Glen Hasstedt – as well as sales/operations executive VP Helen Neville, president/CEO Todd Korman, mom Dana Lastimado, and operations VP Darryl Pittman. In February, Candice will go to Las Vegas to compete in the 30th annual National Grocers Association Best Bagger Competition. The store’s previous national contender, two-time state champ Andrew Borracchini, won the title in 2013.

P.S. Wondering about the competition criteria? From the announcement: “Participants in the Best Bagger Battle were judged on a rigorous criterion of speed, style, technique, and uniform bag weight. The competition consisted of up to three rounds. The first used paper bags, while the second required participants to fill reusable bags. A bruising third and final round determined the ultimate winner.”