As much as we’ve been telling you about Jacques’ 90th birthday celebration, we would be remiss if we didn’t share the details of how he marked his 89th! On December 21, 2024, Jacques, Claudine and Rollie, their daughter Shorey, and a small group of JPF family and friends gathered at Stone Acres Farm, the historic family home of Jane Simmons-Meiser in Stonington, CT. For nearly a decade, the Pépins and Meisers have gathered in December with friends new and old to ring in the holidays and raise a glass for the birthdays of Jacques and Claudine. Toasting Jacques’ 89th year in 2024 was particularly special as we launched our 90 For 90 Celebration Campaign.
Jane and her husband, Dan Meiser, are owners of 85th Day Food Community, with multiple food outlets in Mystic and the Stonington area, including the James Beard Foundation nominated restaurants Oyster Club and The Port of Call. Stone Acres Farm is itself a working bio-diverse agricultural endeavor, with a year-round farmstand and a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscription service. It is also home to a non-profit JPF education partner, the Yellow Farmhouse Education Center (YFEC), and the courtyard is where you’ll find a bronze bust of Jacques by world-famous sculptor Zenos Frudakis!
The traditional December celebration serves as an annual fundraiser for the YFEC and the JPF. The intimate gathering is an embrace of warmth and hospitality in the beautiful historic farmhouse, with exceptional food, drink and service. Beard-nominated Chef Renee Touponce, leads the kitchen team, and was this year joined by Beard Award winner, Chef Sherry Pocknett. The Beverage program is lead by Beard-nominated Jade Ayala, Beverage Director at Oyster Club and The Port of Call.
The JPF appreciates the work that YFEC does to help people understand how food is grown and distributed, and to empower individuals to mitigate climate change, improve environmental and community health, and make nutritious food available to more people. We are proud to have YFEC, 85th Day Food Community, Stone Acres Farm and their family as part of our JPF family, and grateful to have once again co-hosted the December Holiday Birthday Celebration in 2024. We look forward to continuing to celebrate with them in 2025.
