Purbeck Cider Company is inviting consumers to get closer to the cider-making process next month, with the return of its annual Apple Day on Saturday, 12th September.
People are encouraged to bring apples and pears from their own gardens to the Dorset Cider Farm, where their fruit will be pressed and fermented to become part of the 2027 People’s Choice Charity Cider.
Rather than simply buying a product with a charitable story, consumers can actively contribute to creating it, from bringing fruit to Apple Day, voting for a charity, through to enjoying the finished cider. Their participation will be giving back to the community, supporting the people’s choice of charity.
The initiative taps into growing consumer interest in sustainability, local production and provenance, while offering independent retailers and hospitality businesses a compelling narrative to share with their customers.
At Apple Day, visitors can bring their surplus apples and pears to the farm. The produce will be weighed, and tokens given in exchange to use at the taproom or donate.
The apples are then pressed, the juice fermented and matured, before becoming the 2027 People’s Choice Charity Cider. For every litre sold, £1 will be donated to a charity selected by the local community. Visitors to this year’s Apple Day can suggest the charity.
“We wanted People’s Choice to be something the community could genuinely feel part of,” said Joe Hartle, founder of Purbeck Cider Co. “You don’t just buy the cider, you can help make it. From bringing apples along to Apple Day, to choosing the charity and eventually enjoying the finished cider, there’s a real connection between the community and what is in the glass.”
“For us, that’s what makes it special. It’s local fruit, local people, and a local cause coming together to create something that can then be enjoyed far beyond the farm.”
The current People’s Choice Charity Cider is raising funds for Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance, with a donation generated through sales being presented at Apple Day.
Apple Day itself will combine the cider-making story with a family-friendly day out, including apple identification with a local apple expert, harvest and pressing demonstrations, orchard walks, cider tastings, live music, garden games, and local food.
