Celebrating FACT’s 40th Anniversary
By Charlotte Isles, Development Associate
Last Sunday we made the drive out in beautiful weather to Crystal Lake Illinois, to Duke’s Alehouse and Kitchen, a 3-star Green Restaurant Certified eco-conscious gastropub featuring gourmet sandwiches, burgers, and comfort foods utilizing ingredients from the county's most sustainable farms.
This was to be the location of FACT’s 40th Anniversary Farm-to-Table Celebration. We wanted to make this a very unique event where guests would have the opportunity to connect with local humane farmers, FACT’s Executive Director and Board Members, along with others who are passionate about local humanely produced food.
The guest list didn’t disappoint and over some enticing canapes we chatted with others including:
Greg Gunthorp, owner of Gunthorp Farms a humane, pasture based farm in LaGrange Indiana, who became well known in part because he is a leading farm vendor to Chef Rick Bayless’ Frontera restaurants. Greg has been a FACT partner for many years.
Jessica Chipkin, president, and founder of Crate Free USA, an organization that advocates against factory farming, and helps consumers make more humane food choices.
Melissa Freuh and Kathleen Mueller from Illinois Stewardship Alliance who were sponsors of the event.
Bob Benenson who runs the popular newsletter and blog, Local Food Forum.
Mike Biver and his parents in law Kevin and Katie Kelley who run Terra Vitae Farms in Woodstock, Illinois, a regenerative farm with the goal to produce the healthiest meat possible. They recently received a Fund-a-Farmer grant from FACT and were featured in our latest video on humane farming in action with you can check out below. They also kindly provided the chicken for the dinner.
Michele and James Gustin from Fig Media.
We then sat down for a delicious four course meal with wine that was donated by FACT Board Member, John Hess. We started with a winter squash soup, followed by a Beet Salad with Belgian endive, bleu cheese, candied pecans, and apples. The veggies were provided by Broadview Farm and Gardens in Marengo, Illinois, also a recent FACT Fund-a-Farmer grant recipient and Sunfleck Farm in Woodstock Illinois.
The main course was roasted Chicken Legs (provided by Terra Vitae Farms) with Chorizo Spiced Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Lentils, and Baby Mustard Greens). The dessert though was definitely a highlight to finish the meal, Pumpkin S'more Cheesecake with Ethereal Confections Chocolate Ganache and Toasted Marshmallow Cream. Despite being full it was almost impossible to say no.
During the meal we had short presentations from our Executive Director Harry Rhodes on FACT’s important work over the last 40 years and from Mike Biver of Terra Vitae Farms on what it’s like to be a humane farmer and how FACT’s support has benefitted his farm.
We left the dinner feeling full and inspired to have connected with so many people that are passionate about where our food comes from.
We would also like to thank our sponsors for the event, Cheryl Rohlfs and Associates, Illinois Stewardship Alliance, PricewaterhouseCoopers, United GMG, and Board Member Gail Tibensky and her husband Jim, as well as Board member Elaine Madansky for providing some pretty flower arrangements from Elawa Farm in Lake Forest Illinois.
As well as being an enjoyable evening, the dinner was also a success from a fundraising perspective. We hope to be able to do similar events in the future, so please subscribe to our newsletter (scroll to bottom) to stay updated.
Photo Credit: Photos of food thanks to Bob Benenson of Local Food Forum