Wauconda Orchards was started in 1951 by Dick Breeden of Glenview Illinois. Dick was a farmer at heart but a public relations professional by trade. Dick purchased 75 acres in then rural Wauconda Illinois with the idea that someday he could attract throngs of visitors to his farm for pick your own apples. Dick was one of the early pioneers in the pick your own fruit and entertainment farming concept. The farm was located just fifty miles from downtown Chicago and at its peak, attracted well over 150,000 visitors per year. Over the years a large country store and restaurant as well pick your own raspberries, pumpkins and strawberries were added. In the late 60s Wauconda Orchards published its first fruit gift catalog. Dick's thinking was that if the citrus growers in Florida can sell grapefruit and oranges as gifts why not fresh apples from Illinois? A new enterprise was born. Dick went to his friends in the city and told them that they needed to thank their best customers with farm fresh apples and fresh Wisconsin Cheese and Sausage. We are proud to say that we still, to this day, serve some of those original customers.

The autumn of 2001 was the last year that a crop was harvested at the farm . After 42 seasons Dick and Marge chose to retire and enjoy new activities. They are blessed to have five children 13 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren to keep them busy.

Following the closing of the farm, their son, Rick Breeden, decided to continue the gift catalog enterprise and the development of a line of Wauconda Orchard products for sale into gourmet and independent grocery stores. Over the years people coming to the farm had raved about our apple cider and preserves so why not continue the tradition? Our years as growers gave us a wonderful foundation for how good fresh food should taste.

In 2002 we purchased a local nut roasting and processing company which had a wonderful reputation for the best nuts and candy items. This acquisition provided a base of operations to not only develop the new Wauconda Orchards preserves and cider but also a whole new line of fresh roasted nuts so that we may continue our lifelong tradition offering delicious wholesome products.

We're sure you'll agree that ordering from Wauconda Orchards.com will make your holiday and year around gift giving a pleasurable and tasty experience. Don't forget to order something for yourself!!!

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P.S. For our Jewish Friends who keep Kosher Our nut products are Kosher certified by the CRC
(Chicago Rabbinical Council)