Portland Cider’s 7th Annual Fruit Forward Drive Kicks Off—With a Few Changes

CLACKAMAS, Ore. — August 29, 2022 Portland Cider Co. is providing a second chance for the area’s unwanted apple and pear tree bounties. The seventh annual Fruit Forward Drive takes donated edible-quality apples and pears from neighborhoods in the Portland Metro Area and turns them into a Community Cider to raise funds for hungry children.

Portland Cider Co. is collecting bushels (40 lbs or more) of unwanted and fallen apples and pears every Saturday in September with no-contact fruit drop-off at its Clackamas Taproom at 8925 SE Jannsen Rd, Bldg. F. Drop-off hours are Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. only.. For every bushel of edible quality apples or pears, donors will receive a voucher for a pint of the resulting “Community Cider” once released this fall, redeemable at any of Portland Cider Co.’s three taprooms while supplies last. Notably, this year the donation drive will only accept apples and pears, not berries or stone fruit due to their extreme perishability.

“We really count on the local contributions of backyard apples and pears from our community to make this whole thing possible,” said Jeff Parrish, co-owner at Portland Cider Co. “Last year we raised over $13,000 for our hunger relief partner through this effort, putting our six-year total at $47,500. This year, with the help of our donors, we expect that total to exceed $60,000!”

Portland Cider will package the PDX Community Cider and make it available in 19.2-ounce “proper pint” single cans and on draft. The cider will be released in October to retailers throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington. 

Portland Cider will donate 10% of the cider’s sales to Hunger-Free Schools, a program of Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon that is working to implement free meals in Oregon’s K-12 schools, connecting people to food and nutrition programs, raising awareness about hunger, and advocating for systemic changes.

“The Fruit Forward Drive continues to be a win-win-win for everyone involved,” said Lynda Parrish, co-owner at Portland Cider Co. “The fallen fruit is made useful, and removed from the waste stream, the community gets to enjoy a cider made with their very own apples and pears, and profits from the Community Cider sales go to fight childhood hunger in Oregon.” 

Portland Cider Co. asks that all donated fruit is of edible quality; the company will not accept rotten or moldy fruit. Ugly fruit, however, is welcome, including apples or pears with cracks, scarring, indentations, dimples, scabs, holes or brown spots. Use of disposable boxes or containers is highly recommended. Learn more at PortlandCider.com/drive and follow Portland Cider on social media at @PortlandCider.

About Portland Cider Company

Portland Cider Company was founded in 2013 to bring hand-crafted, award winning cider to the Northwest. The company recognizes Portland and her bold spirit as the inspiration behind their innovative ciders, and promises the cleanest, tastiest, and most enjoyable cider-drinking experience the city has to offer. Including the new Westside Pub, Portland Cider has three taproom locations in the Portland metro area, where they encourage all to visit, sample, and expect more from the cider they drink. 

PortlandCider.com 

@portlandcider (FB,  IG, TW)

@portlandciderhouse (FB & IG)

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