Working had for you

There are few dishes more universal than a bowl of rice. It seems so simple and so common, but often, this unassuming ingredient holds a rich story about agriculture, history, and flavor. This is certainly the case with the rice from Blue Moon Acres, a farm in Pennington, New Jersey, that is run by Jim and Kathy Lyons and has been an essential part of the Eleven Madison Park family for over a decade.  Jim and Kathy started their careers in the world of natural foods and wholesaling, before opening an independent farm where they could deepen their commitment to sustainability. Their first operation debuted in 1992. A true mom-and-pop, the first iteration of Blue Moon Acres quickly attracted the attention of some of the city’s most exacting restaurants. By 2007, demand had become so overwhelming that Jim and Kathy were able to launch the 63-acre Pennington property.