Harlan to compete in bagger contest

Evan Harlan from the Redmond Ridge QFC will represent Redmond at the Washington Food Industry’s Best Bagger Contest on Thursday, Oct. 16.

The competition will be held at the Doubletree Hotel Seattle Airport, 18700 International Blvd, in Seattle and begins at 10:15 a.m.

Each year the Washington Food Industry invites contestants representing grocery stores from across the state to compete for the title of Best Bagger. The statewide winner gets an all expenses paid trip to participate in the National Best Bagger competition in Las Vegas in February 2009 during the annual convention for the National Grocers Association.

Cash prizes are also awarded with the winner receiving $500 and second and third place receiving $250 and $100 respectively. Each contestant is graded on speed, technique and weight distribution.

Harlan advanced to the national competition last year and placed seventh.

Food drive coming up

A food drive to help the hungry will be conducted Oct. 13-19 at the Larry’s Market in Redmond Town Center, 7320 170th Ave. NE.

Food banks report steadily increasing requests for assistance as economic conditions worsen. Also, low-income families are hit proportionately harder by higher heating costs during fall and winter. Many food-bank clients are senior citizens or families with children.

Food banks are seeking canned protein, canned fruit and any other non-perishable food items. Donors also may purchase pre-stuffed bags of groceries that include rice, pasta and soup for $5 each at the Larry’s Market in Redmond.

All of the donated food will be distributed by a local food bank.

Haggen, Inc. operates 33 supermarkets in Washington and Oregon under the Larry’s Market, TOP Food & Drug and Haggen Food & Pharmacy names.