Thanks to everyone who entered this year’s CAN DO Challenge! Here’s our list of finalists that made the cut for the final judging which will take place in August, and we’ll announce the winners in our September newsletter. In the meantime, check out the winning recipes from our past contests.



Refreshing Smoothie for Smoothie Day

Celebrate National Smoothie Day on June 21 with our refreshing, dairy-free Kale-Pear Super Smoothie that’s packed with fruits and veggies! Canned Bartlett pears add subtle flavor, sweetness and body to smoothies.

Meet Chef Thomas Wlodarczyk

Executive Chef Compass Group/Chartwells K-12

Clio Area Schools, Michigan



What are your responsibilities and how many meals do you serve?

My daily responsibilities are staff training, menu development, program implementation,  catering, marketing, safety program, environment, and equipment updates. We serve 2,500 meals a day.

How did you decide to incorporate canned pears into your

Pear & Strawberry Creamsicles?

Canned pears are always available when fresh pears are out of season. They have a soft texture which enables us to use whole pieces in the creamsicles, and incorporating the syrup helps the popsicle to have a smooth bite. It pairs great with strawberries balancing the acidity that strawberries sometimes have. This recipe is sweet and simple, and we’ll serve this again. It’s a treat for all grade levels and a quick treat on a hot day.

Quick & Easy Dressings and Sauces

Reach for canned Bartlett pears to add ripe pear flavor and body when blended into salad dressings and sauces. And don’t forget to use the juice to add subtle sweetness and to thin prepared dressings.

When ordering canned pears, look for “U.S.-Grown” and support our farmers! You can count on American canned Bartlett pears for quality, safety, and consistently delicious flavor.

The Bartlett pear orchards in Oregon and Washington are full of bloom and beautiful. Growers will begin harvesting the 2024 crop later this summer and get them ripened, canned, and ready for fall 2024 and beyond.