Want a championship bagger handling your groceries?
Head to the Giant on Pauline Drive in York Township.
There, you'll find Noel Vega Jr., a 21-year-old grocery bagger who's preparing for the "Pennsylvania's Best Bagger" competition Thursday in Harrisburg.
The competition is divided into two rounds -- one for paper and one for plastic, according to the event organizers. Judges are looking for proper bag-building technique, speed and professional appearance.
Vega has refined his bagging methods during three years of working at Giant.
Don't expect to see him rushing at work, though.
"I don't want to mess anybody's groceries up," Vega said. "I don't want to crush their bread or chips or anything."
He knows from experience.
One recent customer heard about Vega's prolific bagging skills and challenged him.
"Show me your stuff," Vega recalls the customer saying.
So Vega went into race mode.
Until two cans of spaghetti sauce went flying, smashing into the floor, splattering all over Vega's shoes.
Fortunately for Vega, the customer was a regular Giant shopper and wasn't bothered by the spilled sauce.
Vega is hoping he can avoid spilling anything at Thursday's competition.
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