Food: Fleet Farm Canned Savory Sauces, Meats and Poultry

Savory Canned Goods Win State Fair Awards

Martha Kunkle of Carlisle won First Place Overall and a $150 gift card in the Fleet Farm Canned Savory Sauces, Meats and Poultry competition judged Tuesday, August 6, prior to the start of the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

Rod Zeitler of Iowa City earned Second Place Overall and a $100 gift card and Susan Schultz of Haverhill claimed Third Place Overall and a $50 gift card.

Jacqueline Riekena of West Des Moines won the Sweepstakes Award. Zeitler and Schultz tied for Reserve Sweepstakes honors.

Entries in classes with products to be tasted were judged on flavor, consistency, appearance and adherence to food safety rules.

Entries in classes with products that are not tasted were judged on appearance, consistency, selection of ingredients and food safety.

Additional results follow:

Beef

1) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

3) Margaret Farmer, What Cheer

Chicken or Turkey

1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

2) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

3) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

Fish

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

3) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Mincemeat

1) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

2) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Salsa

1) Martha Kunkle, Carlisle

2) David Wambold, Bouton

3) Renee Belknap, Mediapolis

Spaghetti Sauce without Meat

1) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

3) Kim Peterson, Granger

Strips, Cubes or Chunks of Meat (beef, veal, pork or lamb)

1) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Tomato Catsup

1) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Tomato Sauce (seasoned)

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Ann Scheiding, Cedar Rapids

3) Amber Kargol, Kelley

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.