Press Your Apples at the Community Apple Press

Have you ever tasted freshly squeezed apple juice? I did, this past weekend at the Gravenstein Apple Fair and it was delicious! Just like drinking an apple! Now YOU can take home fresh squeezed apple juice from apples you just picked thanks to Slow Foods Sebastopol Community Apple Press.

A few months ago, I was contacted by Slow Foods Russian River. They wanted to learn what permits would be required to set up their apple press at Luther Burbank's Experiment Farm in Sebastopl and make the press available to the public. I checked with local and state health regulators and let them know what they needed to get going on this wonderful project.

Their kick-off is this Saturday, August 16 at noon. Luther Burbank's Experiment Farm is located at 7777 Bodega Avenue in Sebastopol (same driveway as Burbank Heights senior living apartments).

All you need to bring are apples and plastic containers. (No glass please, to avoid breakage.) A Slow Food volunteer familiar with operation of the press will be on site and there will be facilities for you to wash and cut your apples to prepare them for the press. You can reserve a time to use the press or just stop by.

View a video of the press in operation.

Don't know what to do with all those apples on your tree? Bring them to the apple press and you could even freeze the juice!

The apple press will operate throughout apple season, from late August through October. Consider an outing to the countryside with the family, perhaps to an apple grower who offers U-pick, then make your own special blend of juice with the varieties of your choice. If you need apples, contact information on all the apple farmers of Sonoma County can be found on the Slow Food web site.

Did I mention, use of the Community Apple Press is FREE!    Cheers!