Turn Your Apples and Pears Into Community Cider

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I was reminded about the Portland Cider Company community cider program—now called the Fruit Forward Apple & Pear Drive—via a Willamette Week article and it just really made my day. Back in 2017 when I first learned about it, I remember how amazing an effort it was. That hasn’t changed, and I’m so happy to know they are at it again and now in its seventh year!

The concept is still the same—donate your backyard fruit for cider, and profits from the ensuing beverage will go to charity. This year profits will be donated to Hunger-Free Oregon Schools, a project of Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon, dedicated to ending childhood hunger here in Oregon.

In the past they accepted all sorts of backyard fruit—apples, pears, stone fruit, berries. This year, they will only work with apples and pears. As for how much fruit they’ll accept from any one individual, a minimum of a bushel (40 pounds) is required. If you’re unfamiliar with this amount, here’s a way to visualize it: “A paper bag 75% filled with fruit is roughly 20 lbs., a milk crate 75% filled with fruit is about 40 lbs.”

And be sure to only include ugly fruit (bruised, holes, scars, cracks, dimples, brown spots); rotting fruit is no bueno.

Those who donate fruit will receive:

Minimum one pint of cider per bushel—four bushels (160 pounds) equals a growler fill.
Knowledge and warm fuzzies that you are helping feed kids at school. 100% of the proceeds will go to Hunger-Free Oregon Schools

Drop off fruit at Portland Cider’s Clackamas Pub + Cidery any Saturday in September between 9am and 3pm (Saturday 10, 17, and 24 remain). When you drop off your fruit, you will be able to witness the apple pressing yourself! I hear you can even help out if you’d like.

Last year they collected 55,000 pounds of fruit (that’s a record). With that they made a $12,500 donation to Hunger-free Schools.

This is such a great project—I encourage you to participate if you can. And drink up when the cider is released! The projected release is October 2022 (in taprooms and on local store shelves).

Fruit Forward Apple & Pear Drive
September 2022
Portland Cider Company’s Clackamas Pub + Cidery
8925 SE Jannsen Road, Building F, Clackamas
portlandcider.com/drive