Food: Fleet Farm Canned Fruits

Waterloo Cook Claims State Fair Canned Fruit Honors

Michelle Westphal of Waterloo won First Place Overall and a $150 gift card in the Fleet Farm Canned Fruits competition, judged Tuesday, August 6, prior to the start of the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

Rod Zeitler of Iowa City claimed Second Place Overall and a $100 gift card. Ileen M. Wallace of Council Bluffs earned Third Place Overall and a $50 gift card.

Rod Zeitler also won the Sweepstakes Award. Robin Tarbell-Thomas of Centerville and Ileen M. Wallace tied for Reserve Sweepstakes honors.

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

Additional results follow:

Apple Juice

1) Ileen M. Wallace, Council Bluffs

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

Apples

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

3) Ileen M. Wallace, Council Bluffs

Applesauce

1) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

2) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Berries

1) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

2) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Grape Juice

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

3) Ileen M. Wallace, Council Bluffs

Peaches

1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) Bret Funke, Cascade

Pears

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

3) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

Pie Filling

1) Michelle Westphal, Waterloo

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) Kim Peterson, Granger

Pineapple

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

3) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

Plums

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

Rhubarb

1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

2) Michelle Westphal, Waterloo

3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Spiced Apple Rings

1) None awarded

2) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

3) None awarded

Fruits (except berries) Other Than Named

1) Ileen M. Wallace, Council Bluffs

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) None awarded

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.