Midwest The breadbasket of the nation States of

Midwest The “breadbasket” of the nation

States of the Midwest • • North Dakota South Dakota Nebraska Kansas Oklahoma Minnesota Iowa • • • Missouri Wisconsin Illinois Michigan Indiana Ohio

About the Land • Rich soil • Good climate • Advanced farming techniques

Exported crops (WORLDWIDE) Soy Corn Wheat

Livestock/Dairy Large quantities produced: • Beef • Pork • Lamb • Poultry Recognized for dairy production: • Wisconsin • Minnesota

Other News Worthy States • Kansas – Leading producer of wheat in the United States • Iowa – Leading producer of soybeans and corn in the United States

County/State Fairs Popular items judged: • Cakes • Pies • Homemade breads • Cookies • Jams • Jellies

Popular Festivals • Cities and towns hold festivals based on harvests of the following products – Apples – Pumpkins – Strawberries – Other fruits and vegetables

Let’s All Share Buffet. Dinners created to satisfy hunger of farmers during harvest time Potluck. Shared meal; each family brings a dish to share

Foods of the Midwest Broiled steak Roast beef Baked/hash brown potatoes Corn on the cob Coleslaw Tomatoes (from garden) Home baked rolls Apple pie Brownies

A Midwest breakfast • • • Hot cereal Pancakes Bacon Eggs Toast Coffee

A Few Midwest Tidbits • Cooking is hearty and uncomplicated • “Comfort foods” • History of the potluck… • These meals get their name from a tradition of hospitality in which a prepared meal would be shared with an unexpected guest. • Since the cook did not know the guest was coming, the guest would have to take “the luck of the pot”