Why the Gravenstein? - Cittaslow Sebastopol

Our mission
Save the Gravensteins is a volunteer
effort. Your donation is tax deductible!
The Save the Gravensteins Presidium
is dedicated to:
• Preserving this tender heirloom apple
Name:
• Increasing demand for Gravensteins
Address:
• Honoring our local apple heritage
• Promoting biodiversity for the health of
the environment
• Supporting livable wages for farmers
City:
State:
Zip:
Business Website:
Your donations support
• Education programs in the schools
Facebook URL:
• Campaigns to increase demand for Gravensteins
Email Address:
• Exhibits and events to raise public
awareness
T
E
HE
V
A
S
GRAVENSTEINS
Please make your check payable to
Slow Food Russian River
Amount:
$10
$25
$50
$
Mail donation with this form to:
Save the Gravensteins
Slow Food Russian River
P.O.Box 2746
Sebastopol, CA 95473
photo by Karen Preuss
Slow Food Russian River
Save the Gravensteins is a project of Slow Food Russian
River, which is a chapter of the international Slow Food
movement and Slow Food USA.
Cittaslow Sebastopol
This brochure was created in part through donations
and support from our sister organization, Cittaslow
Sebastopol.
“If the Gravenstein
could be had through
the year, no other
apple need be grown.”
—Luther Burbank
Pioneer Botanist
YES! Send me periodic updates about
Save the Gravensteins.
Slow Food Russian River is a 501(c)3
organization. Visit our website at
www.slowfoodrr.org
For more information, go to
www.savethegravs.org
or email
[email protected]
Why the Gravenstein?
The
If you believe in
Gravenstein apple is known for its:
• The importance of biodiversity
• Early harvest
• Eating locally grown food
• Sweet yet tart taste
• Supporting family farmers
• Beautiful green and red coloring
• Preserving our apple heritage
• Incredible versatility - ideal for drying, juices, pies, sauces, popsicles, and especially for eating fresh right
off the tree
You can help save the Gravenstein!
• Buy Gravenstein apples
from participating sellers
(www.savethegravs.org/sellers.pdf)
The Gravenstein holds a special place in Sonoma
County history. It was brought by Russian traders
who settled in Fort Ross in 1812. By the early
1900s, the town of Sebastopol had over 11,000
acres of Gravenstein orchards in production.
• Visit Sebastopol in April
for the Apple Blossom Festival
(www.visitsebastopol.org)
• Celebrate the harvest in August
at the Gravenstein Apple Fair
(www.gravensteinapplefair.com)
Now there are only 500 acres of Gravensteins
left. Thanks to our efforts, though, demand for
this heirloom apple is increasing.
photo by Karen Preuss
An “endangered species”
The Gravenstein is especially vulnerable as it does
not ship well. It must be eaten or processed within
a short distance from where it is grown.
The Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity has
identified the Gravenstein apple as one of only six
foods in North America to be worthy of special
protections. This is due to its cultural significance
and fragile ecological niche.
The Save the Gravensteins Presidium (Latin for
“fortress”) was established in 2004 to save this
delicate variety from commercial extinction.
Help us protect this heirloom apple and the
livelihood of those who grow it.
• Like us on Facebook
(www.facebook.com/Slow-Food-Russian-
River)
• Donate to Save the Gravensteins
(see back panel)