SPOKANE — Ryan Hoskins, a courtesy clerk at Central Market in Poulsbo, took third place at the Best Bagger Battle in Spokane Oct. 27. He took home a trophy and $1,000 in prize money.

Washington’s Best Bagger Battle is sponsored by the Washington Food Industry Association (WFIA). Central Market is a member of the association.

Hoskins has been employed at Central Market, 20148 10th Ave NE, Poulsbo, for more than nine years. He is a musician and plays bass in a local band.

Participants in the Best Bagger Battle were judged on a rigorous criterion of speed, style, technique, and uniform bag weight. The competition consisted of up to three rounds. The first used paper bags, while the second required participants to fill reusable bags. A bruising third and final round determined the ultimate winner.

Ten courtesy clerks from around the state competed in the Best Bagger Battle.

Candice Lastimado, a clerk at the Admiral Metropolitan Market in West Seattle, took home the grand prize trophy and $2,000 in cash. She will also get an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas, Nevada, to compete in the 30th annual National Grocers Association Best Bagger Competition.

Second place winner in the competition was Nathan Palmer, a courtesy clerk at the Issaquah QFC.

WFIA was founded in 1899 and represents the state’s independent grocers. Membership includes all levels of the food and beverage distribution industry that collaborate to promote the principles of free enterprise which ensure a vigorous, competitive, economically healthy food industry. The grocery industry provides about 50,000 Washington jobs. Go to www.wa-food-ind.org.