Harveys Supermarkets' Bagger Places Second in National Competition

'Best Bagger in Georgia' Danny Goodwin

Harveys Supermarkets bagger Danny Goodwin, the 'Best Bagger in Georgia,' finished second at the National Grocers Association (NGA) Best Bagger National Championship Thursday in Las Vegas.

Goodwin, a team member at Harveys Store 2349 in Waynesboro, Ga., competed against 25 other top baggers from grocers across the country. His second-place finish was the highest ever for Harveys and the state of Georgia.

Competitors had to bag a number of items, including bread, eggs, cereal, chips, canned goods, noodles, boxed cookies and boxed dinners into reusable bags. They were then judged on speed, weight distribution, correct placement of products, appearance and attitude.

Goodwin, 21, said the energy from the crowd and other competitors in the Paris Las Vegas Hotel was intense. Coworkers, family and friends of the competitors cheered wildly for their favorite baggers.

"It was really fun, extremely loud and very serious," said Goodwin, of Augusta, Ga. "Everybody was really fast. It was exciting!"

To prepare for the event, Goodwin practiced his bagging skills for four hours everyday for five months with Harveys' coworkers. His bagging strategy is simple - "block out the walls of the bag and put heavy products on the bottom. However, bagging for customers and training for the competition are totally different. You wouldn't bag people's groceries as fast or as heavy as this," he said.

Goodwin, a Harveys team member for five years, won top honors in the Georgia Food Industry Association (GFIA) State Best-Bagger Championship in July 2009, earning $2,000 in cash and prices and the opportunity to compete at the national competition.

"I'm thrilled for Danny!" said Tom Robinson, Harveys vice president and chief operating officer. "He's worked very hard on his training since he won the Georgia State Championship last summer. His coaches had him well prepared for the competition with the best baggers in the country. A good strategy and the spirit to win all came together perfectly for Danny and the Harveys team as he bagged his way to finish second place among the best of the best!"

Goodwin, who is studying accounting at Augusta State University, said although bagging groceries won't be part of his long-term future, he's learned a valuable life lesson.

"Whatever you're doing, try to be the best at it," he said. "Who would've thought a bagger out of Waynesboro, Ga., would be competing for the national bagging title?"

Goodwin, whose second-place finish earned him $5,000 in cash and prizes, said he plans to use his winnings to pay off his car, buy books for school and have a little left over to spend.

About Harveys

Harveys is an affiliate of Delhaize America, a subsidiary of Brussels based Delhaize Group (DEG) (NYSE: DEG). Harveys operates 70 stores in Georgia, Florida and South Carolina.

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SOURCE: Harveys Supermarkets

CONTACT: Jennifer Speck, +1-704-633-8250 ext. 2118,
jmspeck@foodlion.com, or Christy Phillips-Brown, +1-704-633-8250 ext. 2221,
cphillips-brown@foodlion.com