Scottish cider maker Thistly Cross is offering free cider or apple juice to commercial growers and members of the public who donate spare apples.
The East Lothian-based firm said it cannot source enough apples to produce all its cider orders, and has urged growers to come forward as a way of combating food waste in the supply chain.
Any fruit donations weighing over a tonne can be collected, while smaller donations should be delivered directly to Belhaven Fruit Farm, Dunbar. For those living further north, fruit can be donated at Gordon Castle, Moray.
“Our popularity is increasing, but Thistly can’t make all the cider it wants to without the help of the public,” said head cidermaker Peter Stuart. “Every year, we accept fruit donations from all over Scotland, ranging from a bucketful to a truckload. And to say ‘thank you’ we’ll give everyone who donates apples their choice of cider or apple juice. Essentially, we operate a ‘bucket for a bottle’ system.”
The company usually sources Scottish heritage apples from a range of commercial growers, schools, large estates and the general public to produce its fruit ciders.
Stuart added: “Our unique system of using donated apples also eliminates the waste that is all too often associated with the food industry of modern times. Apple growers can do their bit to reduce this by donating unwanted and excess apples that would otherwise go to waste.”
Thistly Cross sells its ciders across the UK, Europe, Australia and the US.
