18-Year-Old Wins the National Grocery Bagging Championship After Training For Months

An 18-year-old became the best bagger in America after months of training. Thanks to his family’s help, the grocery bagging pro won a $10,000 prize. The young talent comes from a family of grocers, so naturally, he had to make them proud.

Georgia Teen Wins Best Bagger in America Title

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The teen, Rocco Cammorata, is from Suwanee, Georgia, and works at Publix, where his dad has worked for 32 years.

"This year, I went to nationals, and I won it all," Rocco said.

Rocco says it’s harder than it looks. There’s a technique. 

"Get your two walls in on the side, cans on the bottom, put your filler items in the top," he explained.

Contestants must pack groceries in under 53 seconds while keeping fragile items protected and balancing the weight of each bag.

A Long Period of Training

Rocco trained for several months. 

"We would train three or four days a week for an hour and a half," Rocco said. "My dad or mom would time me, and then I would go weigh my bags."

"Training was boot camp for him. We called it Rocco's Den," his dad, Martin, said.

He’s Got It In The Bag

Bagging is in his blood. Rocco’s older brother also competed, and Rocco’s parents even met at Publix. 

“He definitely wanted to one-up him,” Martin’s dad said, “and I think he did that.”

"It's amazing for the store, amazing for his peers, amazing for Publix," said store manager Scott Drew. "Rocco really prides himself on the way he bags and how he takes care of our customers."

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Rocco also has bragging rights for being the first from Georgia to win and the first from Publix. 

Isn’t this a cool story? Hopefully, the teen uses his money wisely. Maybe he’ll even open up a grocery store of his own someday!

WATCH: 18-Year-Old Wins the National Grocery Bagging Championship After Training For Months

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h/t: 11 Alive

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/11Alive

Michaela Gordoni is an avid reader and part-time globe-trotter. With a bachelor's degree in International Relations and experience in the non-profit world, she has a passion for people and reporting. You can check out her portfolio here.