Oskaloosa’s Titus Doak Wins Iowa Best Bagger Contest, Heads to Nationals

Oskaloosa’s Titus Doak, an employee at Fareway, has claimed the title of Iowa’s Best Bagger in a statewide competition held at the Iowa State Fair. Doak, 17, emerged as the top contender among 16 participants, marking the first time an employee from the Oskaloosa Fareway store has won the state competition.

The Iowa Best Bagger Contest, a tradition spanning 37 years, tests participants on their speed, technique, weight distribution, and overall style while bagging groceries. Competitors are judged on how quickly they can fill three reusable grocery bags, ensuring items are packed efficiently and safely. The contest emphasizes customer service, with points awarded for the correct placement of items and the proper distribution of weight across the bags.

Doak, who has worked at Fareway for three years, entered the competition at the suggestion of his manager. “I didn’t really focus too much on it,” Doak said. “I just focused on doing my best, having fun, and enjoying the time.”

Despite his casual approach, Doak’s training and experience at Fareway paid off. Though he was not the fastest competitor, his precise technique and attention to detail helped him secure the victory. “Here at Fareway, we focus on customer service and the technique of bagging, making it easiest for the customers to carry their groceries,” Doak explained. This focus on technique gave him an edge over faster competitors who may not have adhered as strictly to bagging guidelines.

Doak’s win at the Iowa State Fair earned him $500, a trophy, and an all-expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas, where he will represent Iowa at the National Best Bagger Contest in February. “I’m probably just gonna stay at Fareway for a while until I decide what I want to do with my future,” Doak mentioned, adding that he is considering a career in drafting like his father.

The Fareway team in Oskaloosa is proud of Doak’s accomplishment, and his manager expressed excitement about his success. “It’s not easily achievable, and he did practice. We have a list we use here and at corporate, but he had no idea what was going to be at the State Fair, and he has no idea what’s going to be at the National,” his manager noted.

Doak’s victory is not only a personal achievement but also a point of pride for the Oskaloosa community. As he prepares for the national stage, his co-workers, friends, and family are all eager to see him succeed.

The National Best Bagger Contest will take place on February 23-24 at the National Grocers Association convention in Las Vegas. Doak plans to bring both of his parents along for what promises to be a memorable family experience.

If you see Titus around town, be sure to congratulate him and wish him luck as he heads to Las Vegas to represent Iowa on the national stage.