Foods

Manuals required:

Level A - Fantastic Foods (grades 3-4)

Level B - Tasty Tidbits (grades 5-6)

Level C - You're the Chef (grades 7-9)

Level D - Foodworks (grades 10-12)

State Fair Entries:

Each county will be allowed to send one exhibitor from each grade level of the baked and preserved categories.

Grand Champion awards may be given in Senior Division Food Preparation and in Food Preservation as well as in Junior Division of Food Preparation and Food Preservation. If the judge does not feel there is a Grand Champion quality, a Grand Champion award will not be given. There will be no Reserve Grand Champions.

** Fair Entry – You MUST register your 4-H project in Fair Entry if you plan to exhibit at the 4-H Fair. See page 21. **

Junior Division - Grade 3-6 / Senior Division - Grade 7-12

Members are required to complete a minimum of 3 activities (or “bites”) from their Foods manual each year they are in the project. Log your “bite” activities on the NEW “Bite” form, which is included in the foods manuals or can be picked up in the Extension Office and is available on our county website. This form must be brought with you to judging.

1. • 1. Foods manual MUST be brought to judging (county level only) along with your recipe card (no larger than 5 1/2 x 8 1/2) and “Bite” form.
     2. Participants MUST exhibit one baked and/or one preserved item per grade. (Please see requirements below).

Purdue Extension Food Safety Policy (effective 11/2013):

For food competitions - Filling, frosting, glazing, pie filling, and meringue, (whether uncooked or cooked) are not permitted to contain cream cheese, sour cream, heavy cream, or whipped cream as the nature of these products increases the moisture content and water activity of the food. Foods with a higher moisture content and water activity can be ideal growing conditions for food borne pathogens, even if the ingredient is part of a batter and baked. Additionally, raw milk, raw milk products or uncooked eggs/egg whites are not permitted. Eggs/egg whites that have been cooked to 160°F (i.e. pasteurized or included as part of a batter and baked) are acceptable. No home-canned fruits, vegetables, or meats are permitted in products. Recipes must be provided that show which ingredients were used in each part of the product. Contestants should carefully wash their hands and make sure that their hands do not have any open cuts before preparing foods. Contestants should not be preparing food exhibits for competition within 48 hours of recovering from any illness. Whenever possible, baked products should be transported and stored in chilled coolers (41°F).

Judges and individuals who will consume products from county and state competitions should be informed that they are at risk for foodborne illness since the established policy cannot guarantee that an entry which may be a "potentially hazardous food" has been properly prepared or handled before, during or following the competition. Tasting of a food product is solely at the discretion of the judge. Judges are NOT to taste any low-acid or acidified preserved food, like green beans or tomato products, and are discouraged from tasting any other home preserved food.

Consumers of competitive food exhibits being sold at auction or used for hospitality purposes should be notified they could be at risk for foodborne illness since the established policy cannot guarantee that an entry which may be a “potentially hazardous food” has been properly prepared or handled before, during, or following the competition.  

Instructions for preparing food exhibits for display at State Fair (these instructions may be adapted for use in your county):

Labeling Suggestions:

1. Cover label with clear plastic wrap so that it will not become grease stained.
2. Tape label to the paper plate or container before the product is wrapped.

Recipe or index cards:

1. A recipe card or index card (no larger than 5 1/2" x 8 1/2") is required for all food exhibits. Be sure to include the recipe source and all the information requested in the exhibit description, as well as your name, county, and the grade level/exhibit option. It is recommended that you wrap the card in plastic wrap or in a plastic bag. Recipe cards will not be returned.
2. Since it is illegal in the State of Indiana for youth under the age of 21 to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages, 4-H members are to use recipes that do not include an alcoholic beverage as an ingredient. A suitable non-alcoholic or imitation product may be substituted.

Food preservation jars/containers:

1. All canned products must have the ring on the jar top to protect the seal.
2. Containers will be returned right after judging. Delaware County takes pictures

   of the exhibit for display.

How to prepare products for display:

1. Most food products should be displayed on a paper or foam plate.
2. For cakes - cut a piece of cardboard about 1/2 inch larger than the bottom of the

   cake. Cover this cardboard with wax paper, plastic wrap, or foil before putting

   the cake on it.

3. Any product that may be sticky on the bottom, such as some fancy breads, should be put on round, square, or rectangle cardboard. Cover this cardboard with wax paper, plastic wrap, or foil before putting the food product on it.
4. Pies should be exhibited in disposable pie tin. Reusable containers or pans will

   NOT be returned from the Indiana State Fair.

Level A (Grade 3)

(Participants may exhibit one baked and/or one preserved item per grade.)

• Three snack-sized (approximately 2”-3” individual size) drop, molded or bar
•    baked cookies. No glaze or frosting. Include recipe card and display on a dessert      size paper or foam plate.
• A package of 3 baked, snack-sized (approximately 2”-3” individual size) frozen cookies. Display in freezer bag or freezer container. (NOTE: Freezer containers will not be returned.) Include index card with recipe and instructions for defrosting. Label with name of product, quantity, and date frozen. (Participants may exhibit one baked and/or one preserved item per grade.)
• Level A (Grade 4)

• Three standard size muffins that contain an ingredient that is a source of Vitamin A or Vitamin C (no muffin liners). Include recipe card.
• One package of frozen berries. Display in freezer bag or freezer container. (NOTE: Freezer containers will not be returned.) Include index card with recipe and instructions for cooking or defrosting. Label with name of product, quantity, and date frozen.(Participants may exhibit one baked and/or one preserved item per grade.)Ÿ One uncooked frozen mini-pizza using whole-grain pita bread, English muffin, bagel, or already prepared crust (no larger than 7" in diameter) with toppings of your choice. Include at least 4 MyPlate food groups on your pizza. Meat toppings such as hamburger, sausage, bacon, etc. must be cooked. Display on covered cardboard inside freezer bag. Include index card with recipe and instructions for cooking. Label with name of product, quantity, and date frozen.   (Participants may exhibit one baked and/or one preserved item per grade.)
• Level B (Grade 6)
• Ÿ A square, oblong or round layer reduced-fat cake without frosting. Reduce the amount of fat in the recipe by using a fruit puree or baby food fruit product that does not contain yogurt. Include recipe card.
• Level B (Grade 5)

• Three no-yeast, any shape pretzels with a whole grain flour mixture (shaped, stick, or nugget) OR 3 no-yeast sweet or savory rolled biscuits with a whole grain flour (no drop biscuits). Include recipe card.
• One package of any frozen vegetable or combination vegetables. Display in freezer bag or freezer container. (NOTE: Freezer containers will not be returned.) Include index card with instructions for defrosting and cooking. Label with name of product, quantity, and date frozen.Level C (Grade 7)
• (Participants may exhibit one baked and/or one preserved item per grade.)
• (Grades 7 – 12 County Requirements have been modified from Indiana State 4-H Requirements)

• Three (3) yeast bread sticks or yeast rolls (any shape, medium size - not a sweet roll), using a whole grain flour mixture such as whole wheat, rye, oat bran, etc. Include recipe card. Participants are expected to learn how to knead bread dough by hand and allow it to rise appropriately. It is NOT acceptable to use a home bread maker.

• One (1) container of freezer jam. Include index card with recipe and instructions for storing. Label with name of product, quantity, and date frozen. (Participants may exhibit one baked and/or one preserved item per grade.)
• Level C (Grade 8)

• A yeast bread (can be loaf, braid, but not rolls) using a whole grain flour mixture such as whole wheat, rye, oat bran, etc. Include recipe card. Participants are expected to learn how to knead bread dough by hand and allow it to rise appropriately. It is NOT acceptable to use a home bread maker.

• Two (2) jars of a canned tomato product using the Hot Pack Method for a boiling water bath canner, such as tomato juice, ketchup, barbecue sauce, or salsa. Include index card with recipe and instructions for cooking or using the product. Label with name of product, quantity, and date canned. One jar will be returned and the other one used for exhibit display. Note: Only food preservation products made using USDA approved or Ball Blue Book recipes are acceptable.(Participants may exhibit one baked and/or one preserved item per grade.)
• Level C (Grade 9)

• One package of a non-perishable, invented healthy snack (such as a granola bar, popcorn snack, trail mix, etc.). Your snack must include at least 2 food groups from MyPlate. Exhibit must include your snack product and a separate folder containing a marketing plan with product name, recipe, how it will be packaged, a package design, where it will be sold and suggested selling price. Style your snack for a photo shoot and include the picture in your marketing plan. Label should include product name, date, quantity, and serving size.
• Two (2) jars of a canned pickled product or canned pickles. Include index card with recipe, processing, and storage instructions. (Products using a fancy pack are not accepted.) Label with name of product, quantity, and date canned. One jar will be returned and the other one used for exhibit display. Note: Only food preservation products made using USDA approved or Ball Blue Book recipes are acceptable **Note – Explanation of Fancy Pack is considered to be vertical or horizontal layering. This method can interfere with intended heat penetration during the canning process (i.e. the product may be under processed). (Participants may exhibit one baked and/or one preserved item per grade.)
• Level D (Grade 10)

• A single or double crust baked fruit pie (no graham cracker crust). Include recipe card. (Note: Custards, cream, cream cheese frosting and fillings, and raw egg white frosting are not acceptable in an exhibit because they are highly perishable when left at room temperatures.)

• Two (2) jars of pressure canned vegetables. Include index card with recipe and instructions for cooking or using the product. (Products using a fancy pack are not accepted.) Label with name of product, quantity, and date canned. One jar will be returned and the other one used for exhibit display. Note: Only food preservation products made using USDA approved or Ball Blue Book recipes are acceptable. **Note – Explanation of Fancy Pack is considered to be vertical or horizontal layering. This method can interfere with intended heat penetration during the canning process (i.e. the product may be under processed). (Participants may exhibit one baked and/or one preserved item per grade.)
• Level D (Grade 11)

• A non-perishable baked food product for a catered meal or special event in which organizers have requested low fat and/or reduced sugar items. Exhibit will include your food product and a notebook outlining how this product is to be used at the event, menu, supplies to buy, preparation schedule, equipment, table layout, etc. A table display is optional and should be no larger than 16” deep x 22” wide x 28” high. Include index card with recipe.
• One package of a combination food frozen entree in freezer container. The combination food should contain 3 food groups from MyPlate. Exhibit should include an index card with recipe and instructions for reheating. Display in disposable containers. No containers will be returned. Label with name of product, quantity, and date frozen.

Level D (Grade 12)

(Participants may exhibit one baked and/or one preserved item per grade.)

• Select a condition in which people have to specifically modify their eating habits (diabetes, heart disease, Celiac disease, food allergies, etc.) Prepare a non-perishable baked food product appropriate for someone with this condition. Exhibit will include your food product and a notebook summarizing the condition or allergy, nutrition considerations involved with the condition, a description of your baked item, and an explanation of how it fits within the nutrition considerations. Make sure to note any ingredients that could cause an allergic reaction. Include index card with recipe.
• Two (2) jars of cooked jam or a reduced-sugar fruit spread. Include recipe card. Label with name of product, quantity, and date made. One jar will be returned and the other one used for exhibit display.
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