JoAnne Chapman doesn't consider bagging groceries a skill.

There's no special technique or trick to it; it's all about "common sense," she says.

"You sit here long enough and watch people bag — it's not that hard," Chapman said.

That mindset drove her to take second place at the 2017 New York State Best Bagger Finals, and it's the same attitude she's taking into this year's state finals this Saturday.

And, the unique event is right here in Dutchess County.

Chapman will represent Poughkeepsie when the competition comes to her Stop & Shop on Route 9 in Poughkeepsie, where she will face off against 15 competitors for the chance to compete in the national championship in Las Vegas.

"I've never been to Vegas, but if Stop & Shop wants to send me there, I'm there," she said.

The National Grocers Association competition started in 1987, and the national championship is held at the association's annual convention.

Saturday's competition will feature 16 contestants, two each from Stop & Shop, D’Agostino Supermarket, Gristede’s, Hannaford, Price Chopper, PSK Supermarket, ShopRite and Tops Market. It begins at 10 a.m. at the store located at 2540 South Road.

Rather than paper or plastic, competitors will be filling reusable grocery bags. The switch was made in 2010, well ahead of the upcoming state ban on plastic bags set for March 1.

Contestants are judged based on their speed, technique and how evenly the bags weigh, according to Stefanie Shuman, external communications manager at Stop & Shop.

"Grocery stores held competitions in 'heats' with multiple baggers competing against each other at a time," she said. "Each grocery store competing in the upcoming event will have two representatives vying for the title for Best Bagger in New York State."

It's the weight distribution that Chapman feels is the trickiest part. She's confident in her speed and technique, but it's difficult to be certain that every bag weighs about the same.

Though she will have a home field advantage, Chapman said it mostly comes down to the basics of bagging.

"You want your heavy items on the bottom and breakable and squishables up top," Chapman said. "It's a lot like Lego. I try to build my walls, and then the rest is easy."

With how close she came to winning her last competition, Chapman hopes to win it all come Saturday.

"I was so close, but it was a fun experience regardless," she said. "The national contest is in February, which is when winter is the worst here, so I'd love to be able to get away for a bit."

Geoffrey Wilson: gwilson@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4882, Twitter: @GeoffWilson_

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