Food - Fleet Farms Conserves

Rod Zeitler of Iowa City won first, second, and third place overall, as well as the sweepstakes award in the Fleet Farm Conserves competition judged Wednesday, August 10, prior to the start of the 2022 Iowa State Fair.

Joy Russell of Des Moines won the reserve sweepstakes award.

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 to accompany meat and poultry, but may also be used as spreads on bread.

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

Complete results follow:

Fleet Farm Canned Conserves - Apple

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Michelle Westphal, Waterloo

3) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Fleet Farm Canned Conserves - Apricot

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

3) None

Fleet Farm Canned Conserves - Apricot in Combination

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

3) None

Fleet Farm Canned Conserves - Peach

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) None

3) None

Fleet Farm Canned Conserves - Peach in Combination

1) Joy Russell, Des Moines

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Fleet Farm Canned Conserves - Pear

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) None

3) None

Fleet Farm Canned Conserves - Rhubarb in Combination

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) None

3) None

Fleet Farm Canned Conserves - Fruit Other Than Named

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Louise Piper, Garner

3) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Fleet Farm Canned Conserves - Fruit in Combination Other Than Named

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Michelle Westphal, Waterloo

3) None

Fleet Farm Canned Conserves - Overall Winners

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Fleet Farm Canned Conserves - Sweepstakes/Reserve Sweepstakes

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Joy Russell, Des Moines

The Iowa State Fair Food Department is the largest of any state fair in the country. There are 128 divisions, 615 classes and nearly 6,300 entries at this year’s Fair. Food Department judging is held in the Elwell Family Food Center sponsored by Urban Air Adventure Park.