Pear Farmers Launch Locally-Grown Campaign for Sacramento-Area Consumers
If you love local, sustainably-farmed food, California pear farmers have what you’re looking for.
This week, a group of California pear farmers has launched a campaign to promote pears produced in and around Sacramento as part of the America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital movement.
Nearly all pears from California are grown in small communities near Sacramento. Each year in early July pears begin harvesting from the Sacramento Delta growing area and then in neighboring Lake and Mendocino counties later in the month. That means that locally-grown pears are plentiful in summer and throughout the fall.
“We’re hoping to get consumers excited about locally-grown pears and the farmers who grow them,” said Chris Zanobini, executive director of the California Pear Advisory Board, which is headquartered in Sacramento. “Pear farmers are big supporters of the America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital program and we’re helping to spread the word about foods grown near Sacramento with a number of special events, giveaways and promotions for Sacramento area consumers.”
To learn about upcoming events and find participating stores and restaurants, consumers should visit the new and improved website of the California Pear Advisory Board at www.calpear.com. The new site features a wealth of information, recipes and farmer profiles to share with consumers. A special section on local Farm-to-Fork events involving pears was created specifically for Sacramento-area consumers. . In conjunction, a social media program targeted at local Sacramento-area consumers has also been launched.
Sacramento pear lovers can sign up to receive a new e-newsletter called America’s First Pear Chronicle, which will be used to notify subscribers of contests, events and giveaways, such as:
- Win a Box of Locally-Grown Pears — Subscribers to the America’s First Pear Chronicle are automatically entered into a drawing to win a box of California pears that will be given away twice a month during California pear season from August through November. Sign up for the newsletter now!
- August is Pear Month: Several Farm-to-Fork restaurants in and around Sacramento are competing in a pear recipe contest and will feature delicious dishes using California pears throughout the month of August. Participating restaurants include: Dawson’s Steakhouse; Fat’s Asia Bistro; the Thunder Valley Cafe and High Steaks restaurants at Thunder Valley Casino; Hook & Ladder Manufacturing Company; Our House; Taste Restaurant; Ten22; Volcano Union Inn and Woody’s Grill & Bar. Diners can learn more about signature recipes and participating restaurants here.
- Pear Bridge Dinner. In an effort to expand the very popular Farm-to-Fork Tower Bridge Gala Dinner, a special dinner will be held at the same time on the evening of September 27 on a smaller bridge near the town of Walnut Grove in the heart of the Delta pear-growing region. The dinner will feature all locally-grown products, prepared by local chefs and served in a beautiful setting. Stay tuned. Tickets will go on sale soon.
- Win Tickets to the Farm-to-Fork Tower Bridge Gala — California pear farmers will give away two tickets to the sold-out Farm-to-Fork Tower Bridge Gala as part of a Facebook contest. Follow us on Facebook and stay tuned for more details on how to enter.
“Other contests and events are also planned,” said Zanobini. “Consumers should look for locally-grown pears in Sacramento area stores and restaurants from now through November. If you don’t see California pears in your store or on the menu – ask for them!”
The California Pear Advisory board was established in March 1992 as a state agricultural marketing order organized under the California Agricultural Marketing Act of 1937, which allows farmers to assess themselves to fund various industry programs. The California Pear Advisory Board represents farmers who proudly grow both fresh and processed California Pears with safety, tradition and the environment always in mind.
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