Who's the winner? It's in the bag

Robert Gaelick can bag 30 grocery items fast.

Gaelick is champion bagger for Bashas' Supermarkets. He competes Saturday at the Arizona State Bag-Off Competition at Steele Indian School Park.

The northeast Phoenix teenager will match his bagging skills against champion bag boys from rival grocers Albertsons and Fry's Food Store. They are Francisco Palacios, who represents Fry's and Darren Brokish with Albertsons.

He isn't telling how fast he can bag because he doesn't want to tip off the competition.

The winner from Saturday's contest represents Arizona in the 2009 National Grocers Association U.S.A Best Bagger Championship in Las Vegas on Feb. 5. About 25 baggers are expected to compete for the national championship.

"I wouldn't say I'm nervous, but I am anxious and excited about (Saturday's) state contest," said Gaelick, who is a part-time courtesy clerk at Bashas' Supermarket at 32nd Street and Shea Boulevard.

The 18-year-old hopes to outbag his competitors under the watchful eye of judges. The judges give or reduce points for appearance, demeanor and how the bag boys pack a plastic or paper bag.

It means the heavier items such as cans are placed at the bottom, macaroni boxes are used to create a wall and chips and eggs are propped on top. Judges also cut the sides of the packed bags and add more points if the items remain in place.

Debbie Roth, general manager of Arizona Food Market Alliance and the person who organizes the bag-off competition, said the event is amazing.

The grocery stores get competitive and they make creative entries, Roth said. One year, a Ranch Market bagger arrived in a pageantry of horses and mariachis strumming guitars. Another year, the Fry's entrant showed up in an Elvis Presley costume with a rock 'n' roll band.

"It's very exciting," Roth said. "Not only are they competitive in the grocery stores, but they get creative on the day of the event."

The competition has never been a public event and few people know about it.

Gaelick, 18, is a senior at Brophy College Prep. He aspires to study economics and culture in college.

Robert Gaelick will test his bagging skills against champion bag boys from rival grocers.