Food - Fleet Farm Canned Vegetables

Iowa City Cook Wins State Fair Veggie Canning Title

Rod Zeitler of Iowa City won First Place Overall and the Sweepstakes Award in the Fleet Farm Canned Vegetables competition judged Tuesday, August 8, prior to the start of the 2023 Iowa State Fair.

Susan Schultz of Haverhill and Jacqueline Riekena of West Des Moines tied for the Reserve Sweepstakes award.

Entries were judged on appearance, selection of vegetables and adherence to food safety rules.

Complete results follow:

Asparagus Spears

1) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

Beets

1) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

2) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

Carrots

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Cindy Goodrich, Des Moines

3) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

Corn with Red Peppers

1) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

2) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

3) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

Green Beans

1) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

HM – Cindy Goodrich, Des Moines

Mixed Vegetables

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa

2) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

3) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

Okra

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

3) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

Sauerkraut (fermented)

1) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Shelled Green Peas

1) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Sweet Peppers (in water), pint jar

1) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines
2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Tomato and Vegetable Juice Blend

1) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Tomato Juice

1) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

2) Michelle Westphal, Waterloo

3) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

Tomatoes (whole, not cherry or grape)

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

3) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

Tomatoes Stewed

1) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) Kim Peterson, Granger

Vegetable Soup (no meat)

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

3) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

White Potatoes (cubed or whole)

1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
2) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Whole Kernel Corn

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

3) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

Yellow (Wax) Beans

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

Overall Winners

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
3) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

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.