BUSINESS BRIEFS: Jefferson County Ciderworks honored; Hy-Vee remodeling; Utech promoted

Jefferson County Ciderworks named Cider Establishment of the Year in Midwest region

Jefferson County Ciderworks has been named the 2018 Best Cider Establishment of the Midwest by the US Cider Association.

Run by native Iowans Jesse Narducci and Katie Greenfield, the Ciderworks' Tap Room is set on the Narducci family farm, which is home to an 800-tree apple orchard. Open seasonally, Thursday through Saturday, the Tap Room hosts up to 200 people on an given night. Visitors are greeted by a family friendly scene, multigenerational families at picnic tables dotted on the lawn enjoying Ciderworks's craft cider and indulging in new American bar food served out of the Food Plot, the resident food truck.

The Tap Room also features live music several nights a month and special events like farm-to-table dinners and brunch.

Ciderworks' Tap Room serves as a test kitchen for cidermaker Jesse Narducci; here visitors can find special releases before they are distributed throughout Iowa as well as barrel aged cider projects.

Starting a decade ago, Narducci would come home to Fairfield from California every spring to plant apples on the family property, establishing an orchard brimming with heirloom cider-apple varieties, many of which were nearly lost to history. The couple moved back to Iowa full-time five years ago, and began the process of turning what was a very devoted hobby into a full-blown business.

Now, Ciderworks is coming off its biggest, busiest year yet. The company started 2018 by purchasing a 12,000-square-foot production facility and investing in the equipment and capacity to grow into new markets and product lines. Last month, almost exactly 12 months later, Ciderwork's launched its new canned ciders, which is just the beginning of its journey into retail sales. Previously, the cider was available only at bars and restaurants, and to-go growlers sold at its Fairfield taproom,

Hy-Vee making room for changes, including Fairfield's first Starbucks

The Fairfield Hy-Vee has been undergoing a remodel since Feb. 11 to make room for changes, including Fairfield's first Starbucks.

In addition, store director Lindsey Flanigan said the changes will include a diner counter to cook made-to-order meals, plus a self-checkout will be added as an option for customers who are on-the-go.

A Mother's Room also is being added so caregivers can have private space with their young children.

The store will remain open throughout the remodel.

'We can't wait for you to see what we have in store this spring,” said Flanigan.

Cardinal graduate promoted in Veterans Health Administration office in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Dr. Anne Utech, an Ottumwa native and 1998 Cardinal High School graduate, was recently promoted to the senior executive service equivalent position of national director, Nutrition and Food Services of the Veterans Health Administration Central Office in Washington, D.C.

In her appointment, Utech will oversee veteran nutrition policies and programs, strategic planning, national external and internal partnerships and serve as the Department of Veterans Affairs's primary subject matter expert for nutrition and food services.

Utech is also an assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston.

She is the daughter of Ron Utech of Ottumwa and Jean Utech of Bloomfield.