Made by Nellie Bowen from Sugar Grove, Illinois, this jar of canned asparagus was entered into the balanced meal class at the International Canning Competition held at the 1933 Century of Progress Exposition. Women all over the United States and from foreign countries submitted their homemade canned food recipes into the International Canning Competition held at the 1933 Century of Progress. The colorful jars packed with fruits, vegetables, and meats, were stacked in a pyramid and along the walls of the Ball Brothers Company exhibit at the exposition.

Held in the Court of States Federal Building, forty judges, over the course of two days, selected the best jars from their respective class and a Grand Champion. The title of Grand Champion was awarded to a contestant in the balanced meal class. To compete in this class, the contestant submitted at least six jars comprising a complete meal. At the exposition, Mrs. William Klingerg, of Beloit, Wisconsin, was the 1933 Grand Champion Canner for her well balanced chicken dinner.