Bagging Rights

LINDSBORG, Kan. - Last week, employees of White's Foodliner were in competition with one another for bagging rights—the right to brag about how well they bag groceries in the Best Bagger Contest.

The contest was open to any employee not in a managerial position.

"It's open to anyone who wants to give it a try," explained White's Foodliner Marketing and Advertising Director Adrienne Kantukule. "The purpose is to celebrate our employees and recognize the pride and precision they bring to their work."

Kantukule works with store teams to build community connections, promote employee accomplishments, and share the story of White's in a way that reflects the store's values. Through competitions like this, employees can be recognized for their hard work.

"Bagging may seem like a small part of the grocery experience, but it plays a big role in customer satisfaction," she said. "This competition creates a fun, upbeat way to appreciate that skill while building morale and encouraging friendly competition."

Jordan Dankenbring at the Lindsborg location was the overall winner for the store. In addition to the pride of a job well done, he won a $50 White's gift card and was entered into the finals for all White's stores. If he is a finalist, he will then go on to Kansas City to compete.

"The in-store competitions follow the judging criteria established by the Retail Grocers Association of Missouri and Kansas, which includes speed, bag building technique, weight distribution, and style," Kantukule explained. "Judges record scores at each location, and once all stores have competed, we will identify the top two baggers to move on."

White's Foodliner is a family grocery business that began with Joe Patrick White's childhood inspiration from his grandfather, Patrick Byrd (PB) White, who operated general stores throughout southeast Kansas. After serving in WWII and marrying Frances Ewy in 1950, Joe completed college in Denver while working in grocery stores. In May 1953, the couple purchased their first store in Coldwater and moved there with their young son Douglas Patrick (Pat).

"White's Foodliner is a proudly family-owned grocery company with deep roots in Kansas," Kantukule said. "Those early experiences in the general store sparked a lifelong interest in the grocery business and a passion for serving local communities."

The business has grown over the decades through various acquisitions and changes, maintaining a consistent focus on serving customers, communities, and employees. The company is now run by the second generation of the White family, with the third generation preparing to take over.

With their young son Douglas Patrick (Pat) White by their side, they began a journey grounded in hard work, customer service, and a commitment to community values that continue to shape the company today.

White's purchased Scott's Hometown Foods, which was founded by Scott and Susan Achenbach in 1994. The takeover was finalized on August 26, 2020. Today, White's Foodliner operates seven stores across Kansas in Kingman, Medicine Lodge, Phillipsburg, St. John, Lindsborg, Lyons, and Scott City.

"Today, Pat White serves as Chief Visionary Officer, while his son Jordan White leads the company as CEO. Together, they carry forward the legacy of serving rural communities with care, consistency, and innovation," Kantukule said. "Throughout every stage of growth, one thing has remained constant: a deep dedication to the customers we serve, the communities we support, and the associates who make it all possible."

The competition is hosted in each store location. After all eight of the store bagging competitions are complete, the two finalists with the top scores will represent White's Foodliner in the RGA's Kansas Best Bagger Competition.

"It gives team members a chance to showcase their grocery bagging skills in categories like speed, technique, weight distribution, and style," Kantukule said. "We expect to have over 30 participants across our eight stores by the time all competitions are complete. Each store competition follows official scoring standards."

Then move over America's Got Talent, because the statewide winners of the RGA's will move on to the National Grocers Association Best Bagger Championship. This tournament of grocery goliaths is held in Las Vegas on February 23-25 at the Caesars Forum Convention Center.

"That national event is a professionally produced, high-profile competition sponsored by Pepsi," Kantukule said. "It features a live audience of 300 to 500 people, a lively emcee, commercial breaks, and all the energy of a game show."

For those wanting to take a gander at this battle of the bags, it is recorded and shared online on YouTube. The first Best Bagging contest was held in 1987 in Dallas, Texas. The "Texas–Oklahoma Checkout Shootout" featured two contestants and former NFL quarterback Terry Bradshaw as the emcee. Since then, NGA has branded and grown the event to feature more than 25 state bagging contestants. Last year's Kansas contestant was Erica Zoglmann from Hired Man's Grocery Store in Conway Springs.

Last year's champion of the competition was Madison Ireland of Harmons Neighborhood Grocer in Utah. She received $10,000 for her hard work.

White's has a long history of community engagement and support of its employees. This competition is just one more way for them to show pride in the family's long heritage in the grocery business and have a little fun while they are at it.

"It energizes our stores, brings visibility to the people who often work behind the scenes, and reinforces our belief that every role matters," Kantukule said. "It's fun, rewarding, and a great way to build pride and unity across the company. Customers love hearing about it, and our employees feel supported and celebrated."