Food - Fleet Farm Canned Fruits

Creative Cooks Claim State Fair Fruit Canning Awards

Rod Zeitler of Iowa City won First Place Overall, the Sweepstakes award and a $150 gift card in the Fleet Farm Canned Fruits competition judged Tuesday, August 8, prior to the start of the 2023 Iowa State Fair.

Michelle Westphal of Waterloo claimed Second and Third Places Overall, the Reserve Sweepstakes award and a total of $150 in gift cards.

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

Additional results follow:

Apple Juice

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Ileen M. Wallace, Council Bluffs

3) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Apples

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Applesauce

1) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

3) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

Berries

1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) Ileen M. Wallace, Council Bluffs

Grape Juice

1) Michelle Westphal, Waterloo

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) Ileen M. Wallace, Council Bluffs

Peaches

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Pears

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Michelle Westphal, Waterloo

3) Elizabeth Myers, West Des Moines

Pie Filling

1) Michelle Westphal, Waterloo

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Pineapple

1) Michelle Westphal, Waterloo

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Plums

1) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Rhubarb

1) Michelle Westphal, Waterloo

2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Spiced Apple Rings

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Fruits (except berries) Other Than Named

1) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

2) Frank Rankin, Ankeny

3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

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.