Food: Fleet Farm Canned Preserves

Iowa City’s Zeitler Claims State Fair Canned Preserves Title

Rod Zeitler of Iowa City won First Place Overall in the Fleet Farm Canned Preserves competition judged Tuesday, August 6, prior to the start of the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

Zeitler also claimed Third Place Overall and the Reserve Sweepstakes award.

Jacqueline Riekena of West Des Moines won Second Place Overall and the Sweepstakes award.

A preserve is a soft set spread made with fruit and sugar.

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

Additional results follow:

Apricot

1) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

Blackberry

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

3) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

Cherry

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

3) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

Peach

1) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

2) Julie Coy, West Des Moines

3) Michelle Westphal Waterloo

Pineapple

1) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

2) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Plum

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

3) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

Raspberry

1) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

2) Michelle Westphal, Waterloo

3) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

Red Tomato

1) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

2) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

3) Ileen M. Wallace, Council Bluffs

Strawberry

1) Ileen M. Wallace, Council Bluffs

2) Michelle Westphal, Waterloo

3) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

Yellow Tomato

1) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

2) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Preserves Other Than Named

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

3) Michelle Westphal, Waterloo

The Iowa State Fair Food Department is the largest of any state fair in the country. There are 140 divisions, 726 classes and over 6,400 entries at this year’s Fair. Food Department judging is held in the Elwell Family Food Center.