The “made at UC Davis” label has been attached to a new product: dried tomatoes. They come from the university’s Russell Ranch Sustainable Agriculture Facility, run by the Agricultural Sustainability Institute at UC Davis.
The Gunrock Pub celebrates the new product with a promotion today (Nov. 9): a free appetizer that includes Russell Ranch Dried Tomatoes, with the purchase of an entrée.
On Tuesday, Nov. 29, Russell Ranch Dried Tomatoes will be offered at a free tasting session at the bookstore in the Memorial Union, from noon to 2 p.m.
The dried product originates in the ranch’s organic tomato crop, part of a centurylong study of sustainability at the 300-acre farm west of the main campus. The tomatoes have been sold off campus for years.
Two years ago, the ranch began supplying tomatoes to Dining Services, as it looked to expand its use of locally grown food — for good, fresh taste, of course, and to help offset the university’s carbon footprint.
Dining Services, which operates dining commons and other food outlets, including the Gunrock Pub, uses the tomatoes in Russell Ranch Roasted Tomato Sauce — which accompanies a variety of dishes, from pizza to polenta and ratatouille. The Coffee House and the UC Davis Medical Center also are using Russell Ranch tomatoes.
This year, the Russell Ranch staff developed dried tomatoes in a limited quantity for sale to the public. The dried tomatoes are available at two bookstore locations (Memorial Union and downtown Davis), and on the bookstore's website.
Russell Ranch Dried Tomatoes are priced at $4 for a 2.75-ounce bag and $12 for 9.75 ounces.
More campus products, including olive oil.
New treats in California Harvest Gift Boxes
California Harvest Gift Boxes from women’s crew will come with two new treats this year: olive oil and candied almonds.
Even with the addition, the price is the same: $36. Proceeds support the rowing team.
The wooden boxes (with the Aggie athletics logo etched on top) also come with chocolate, sun-dried tomatoes, black olives, garlic, honey, almonds, dried fruit, organic raisins and organic popcorn.
Everything is from California, and many of the gourmet goodies are from local producers with UC Davis connections.
The $36 price applies to boxes that you pick up in Davis. Or, for the same price, you can have the boxes delivered in Davis or Sacramento. The boxes can be mailed at additional cost.
For a California Harvest Gift Box order form, click here (and download the PDF), or contact rowing coach Carissa Adams, (530) 867-1494 or cradams@ucdavis.edu. The rowing club can accommodate recharges, for departments wishing to buy the boxes for official UC business purposes.
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Dave Jones, Dateline, 530-752-6556, dljones@ucdavis.edu