Best Veggie Canners Win State Fair Honors

DES MOINES, IA (08/12/2017) (readMedia)-- Susan Schultz of Haverhill claimed First Place Overall in the Canned Vegetables competition, judged on August 8, prior to the start of the 2017 Iowa State Fair.

Rod Zeitler of Iowa City earned the Sweepstakes award and Schultz claimed Reserve Sweepstakes honors.

Entrants were judged on appearance, selection of products and food safety.

Results below:

Asparagus Spears

1) Michelle Westphal, Waterloo

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) Lindsey Pepper, Ankeny

Beets

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Olive Jean Tarbell, Centerville

3) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

Carrots

1) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) Lindsey Pepper, Ankeny

Corn with Red Peppers

1) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Green Beans

1) Michelle Westphal, Waterloo

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

Mixed Green & Wax Beans

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Michelle Westphal, Waterloo

Mixed Vegetables

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

Okra

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Sauerkraut (fermented)

1) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) Olive Jean Tarbell, Centerville

Shelled Green Peas

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Olive Jean Tarbell, Centerville

3) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

Sweet Peppers (in water), pint jar

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

Tomato and Vegetable Juice Blend

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Olive Jean Tarbell, Centerville

3) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

Tomato Juice

1) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Tomatoes (not cherry or grape)

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Olive Jean Tarbell, Centerville

3) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

Vegetable Soup (no meat)

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

White Potatoes (cubed or whole)

1) Olive Jean Tarbell, Centerville

2) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Whole-Kernel Corn

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

Yellow (Wax) Beans

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Michelle Westphal, Waterloo

3) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

The Iowa State Fair Food Department is the largest of any state fair in the country. There were 177 divisions, 769 classes and over 9,856 entries at this year's Fair. Due to the large number of classes, Food Department judging begins prior to the Fair in the Elwell Family Food Center sponsored by Blue Bunny Ice Cream.

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Frequently ranked as one of the top events in the country, the Iowa State Fair is the single largest event in the state of Iowa and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country. Annually attracting more than a million people from all over the world, the Iowa State Fair located at East 30th and East University, just 10 minutes from downtown Des Moines is Iowa's greatest celebration with a salute to the best in agriculture, industry, entertainment and achievement. "Nothing Compares" to State Fair Thrills, August 10-20, 2017. For more information, visit www.iowastatefair.org.