Food - Fleet Farm Canned Conserves

Iowa City Cook Wins State Fair Conserves Title

George Ellerbach of Iowa City won first Place Overall, the Reserve Sweepstakes Award and a $150 gift card in the Fleet Farm Canned Conserves competition judged Wednesday, August 9, at the 2023 Iowa State Fair.

Rod Zeitler of Iowa City earned Second Place Overall, the Sweepstakes Award and a $100 gift card.

Susan Schultz of Haverhill claimed Third Place Overall and a $50 gift card.

Conserves are similar to jam in consistency. Conserves generally contain two or more fruits, one of which is usually a citrus fruit. They contain nuts and or raisins and are flavored the accompany meat and poultry, but may also be used as spreads on breads.

Entries were judges on flavor, consistency, appearance and food safety.

Additional results follow:

Apple

1) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

2) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

3) Joy Russell, Des Moines

Apricot

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

3) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Apricot in Combination

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

3) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Peach

1) Martha Kunkle, Carlisle

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Peach in Combination

1) Terri Sinclair, Cumming

2) Joy Russell, Des Moines

3) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

Pear

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

3) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Rhubarb in Combination

1) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) Louise Piper, Garner

Fruit Other Than Named

1) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

2) Michelle Westphal Waterloo

3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Fruit in Combination Other Than Named

1) Louise Piper, Garner

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) Martha Kunkle, Carlisle

The Iowa State Fair Food Department is the largest of any state fair in the country. There are 138 divisions, 695 classes and over 6,800 entries at this year’s Fair. Food Department judging is held in the Elwell Family Food Center.