May 25, 2025
Local NewsState & National

The ‘Best’ is yet to come

Gates Sweetcorn voted ‘Best’ in central Iowa, anticipates stands to open Friday

By SARAH SCULL

The Gates family has been selling sweet corn in Creston since 1978. They will be back at their normal spot on Adams Street across from the BP gas station, selling from the back of this 1954 Chevy as early as Friday, weather depending. They will also be selling on the northwest corner of Ringgold Street and Sumner Street near Walmart, and in Corning (Tuesdays) and Afton (Fridays) at the Casey's General Stores. (CNA file)

One could say Gates Sweetcorn customers are the sweetest, as many of them rallied to vote for them in KCCI’s “Best Sweetcorn in Central Iowa” contest.

On Friday, KCCI announced via its Facebook page that Gates’ ranked No. 1 in central Iowa as the state’s best sweetcorn producer. Grimes Sweetcorn, Humphrey Sweetcorn, Deardorff Sweetcorn and De Jon Produce ranked second, third, fourth and fifth, respectively, in the online viewer poll.

Alan Gates said he was not the first to hear the news but had people tell him about it.

“I didn’t have a clue what they were talking about because I’m not a Facebook guy,” said Gates. “It was all of the Lord’s doing. All I do is drag an old planter out of a shed and go out and plant the corn. He gives the increase.”

Gates’ daughter, Alizebeth Gates, said she felt humbled, blessed and thankful.

“We have so many customers that, even if the corn isn’t perfect, they are so understanding, and just to see them take the 30 seconds ... to get on and vote and get on and vote again, I don’t know. It just gave me chills,” said Alizabeth. “We were like, ‘Wow.” Because Grimes is such a huge name and they have so many customers that they reach, and so, to compete with names like Grimes, Deardorff ... we were just so thankful.”

Gates’ start in selling sweetcorn has modest beginnings. Alan said it was something he started selling in the summer of 1978 to make a few extra dollars to take to the Iowa State Fair. More than four decades later, he attributes his family’s sweetcorn success to the members of communities that continue to support them.

“I think it speaks so well of the community the way they have supported us,” he said. “Who would have thought that Southwest Iowa would have the number one corn? We just had more voters than anyone else.”

“Their quality has always been the best ... they are just down home, friendly folk,” said Fay Parkins of Creston. “And they always educate you about the status of their corn, like if it’s early ... and I think that’s important because sometimes people have a different desire for sweet corn. It doesn’t deter people from purchasing, but it’s important to people to know what to expect.”

Joe Anson said he’s had Grimes Sweetcorn, but that Gates’ is the best around.

“I wait for it every year down here ... it’s worth the wait.” he said.

Creston realtor Nancy Loudon said she likes Gates’ customer service and the convenience of their West Adams Street location.

“They are local, their corn is fabulous, their employees are friendly and courteous,” said Loudon. “I liked the fact that they have several, different locations. I don’t know them personally, but I know they are active in our community ... so I support them.”

Kasey Smith of Creston said Gates’ sweetcorn conjures up fond childhood memories.

“Mom and I would buy two dozen at a time and spend the day shucking it and shaving the corn off the cob. It was an all day affair and we had corn all winter that wasn’t out of a can. So I wasn’t mad about it,” said Smith. “It’s the best in town.”

Gates’ said the family is almost ready to harvest the corn. He hopes to be selling out of the back of the iconic 1954 Chevy Pickup by Friday.

“It just depends what the weather does this week,” he said. “If it stays hot and dry, it can be anywhere from Thursday of this week to Tuesday of next week ... I can’t really pinpoint the date because of the weather.”

Gates Sweetcorn is late with summer sales this year due to cold weather in May that set them back 10 days.

In past years, Gates has sold in Creston, Afton and Corning, but in recent years, they did not sell in Afton or Corning because of reduced acreage and the residents in the Creston area “gobbled it up.”

Gates is anticipating selling at its locations on West Adams Street, at Agriland FastStop on West Taylor Street, and in front of the Casey’s General Store in Corning on Tuesdays and Afton on Fridays.

For daily updates on Gates Sweetcorn, listen to Alan’s live broadcast from the sweetcorn patch on KSIB Radio 101.3 FM between 7:30 and 7:40 a.m. following KSIB’s “Word of the Day.”