Food: Fleet Farm Fresh Preserving for Youth

Young Iowa City Cook Claims State Fair Preserving Honors

Kepler Pienta of Iowa City won First, Second and Third Places Overall, the Sweepstakes Award and a total of $300 in gift cards in the Fleet Farm Fresh Preserving For Youth competition judged Tuesday, August 6, prior to the start of the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

Addison Spencer of Stanton earned the Reserve Sweepstakes Award.

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

Additional results follow:

Butters, canned in half pint jars

1) None awarded

Jams, canned in half pint jars

1) Kepler Pienta, Iowa City

2) Addison Spencer, Stanton

Jellies, canned in half pint jars

1) Kane Van Der Molen, Bondurant

2) Kepler Pienta, Iowa City

Preserves, canned in half pint jars

1) None awarded

Pickles, canned in pint jars

1) Addison Spencer, Stanton

2) Kepler Pienta, Iowa City

Relishes, canned in pint jars

1) Kepler Pienta, Iowa City

Fruits, canned in pint or quart jars

1) Kepler Pienta, Iowa City

Vegetables, canned in pint or quart jars

1) Kepler Pienta, Iowa City

The Iowa State Fair Food Department is the largest of any state fair in the country. There were 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.