Portland Cider Co. Returns with its 9th Annual Fruit Forward Drive

It’s that time of year again when Portland Cider Co. is providing a second chance for the Portland metro area’s unwanted fruit tree bounties. The 9th annual Fruit Forward Drive will once again collect and press donated edible-quality apples and pears from neighborhoods across the region. The result will be the cidery’s annual Community Cider. And for the first time, a special-edition brandy made by 503 Distilling will be a result of this cider for a release in a few years.

Every Saturday in September, Portland Cider Co. will accept bushels (40 pounds or more) of unwanted and fallen apples and pears at its Clackamas Taproom at 8925 SE Jannsen Rd, Bldg. F. Drop-off hours are Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 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 taprooms. Plus, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of these products will be donated to Fighting Pretty, a Portland-based nonprofit that helps women battling cancer feel strong and beautiful. 

“It’s hard to believe we’ve been doing this for nearly a decade now!” said Jeff Parrish, co-owner at Portland Cider Co. “We’re happy that we can bring our friends at 503 Distilling in on the fun this year, and we can’t wait to sample the brandy that they make from the apples and pears we collect.”

As the apple and pear donations roll in, Portland Cider will share the bounty with 503 Distilling, which will craft the brand-new 503 Community Brandy at its southeast Portland distillery. It is expected to  be available in Fall 2026 at select liquor stores within the Portland Metro market.  

“We are glad to be working with Portland Cider to add a new product to their Fruit Forward Drive this year,” said Rusty Caldwell, co-owner of 503 Distilling. “The amount of brandy we’re able to make will depend entirely on how many donations Portland Cider receives. So tell your friends and family to gather up those apples and pears and get them to the cidery—it’ll be worth it!”

In 2023, Portland Cider collected nearly 40,000 pounds of apples and pears during its Fruit Forward Drive. Its nine-year donation total to local nonprofits as a result of Community Cider sales exceeds $60,000. Portland Cider attributes the program’s lasting success to its many benefits, including removing unwanted fruit from the waste stream, providing the community with cider and brandy made from their own backyard apples and pears, and raising funds for a local nonprofit organization, like Fighting Pretty.

“Fighting Pretty was founded by a Portland woman who knows first-hand that there’s power in feeling beautiful and strong while fighting breast cancer,” said Lynda Parrish, co-owner at Portland Cider Co. “One in eight womenin the U.S. will develop breast cancer in their lives. We all know someone who’s been affected, and Fighting Pretty is here to support women as they navigate the disease. They also help connect them with resources of all sorts. We’re proud to help raise funds for them this year.” 

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. 

The ninth annual Community Cider will be released later this fall, and will be available on draft at Portland Cider’s taprooms. The inaugural run of 503 Community Brandy will be available in the autumn of 2026, at select Portland-area liquor stores while supplies last. 

To learn more about the Community Cider and the donation of fruit, visit PortlandCider.com/drive.