I met Sue Rekenthaler at the Crystal Lake farmers market in 2008 when we were first starting to source our food locally. While extremely proud of her and her husband Gary’s produce she was very humble in explaining her philosophy in farming. She explained that clean and healthy food should be affordable and her prices were always competitive even though their produce was second to none.
Duke’s has used, and continues to use, Natural Farmstand chioggia beets in our infamous beet salad that has been on our menu since 2008.
Sue and Gary have always farmed sustainably as if it was the only way to farm. There are no shortcuts when it comes to great tasting and high quality food, but they have always made it seem so effortless. The passion and pure joy they receive from growing food the way they do should be an inspiration to us all.
