Seattle Cider Company Releases City Fruit Cider as Whole Foods Exclusive

23 Jun 2016 --- Seattle Cider Company, Whole Foods Market and City Fruit are excited to announce the release of City Fruit cider exclusively at Whole Foods Market. Hitting shelves at all six Seattle-area locations on June 29, this one of a kind cider was created by Seattle Cider Company in collaboration with local non-profit City Fruit – dedicated to feeding thousands of local families through stewarding, harvesting, and donating fruit from Seattle’s urban canopy. Made using solely Seattle-grown apples collected by City Fruit, half of the proceeds from every bottle sold will go directly to the growing non-profit to support their annual harvest and help save Seattle’s apples.

“We donate a large portion of the fruit we collect to food banks, but in previous years, fruit with blemishes or small markings was just being composted,” said City Fruit Executive Director Catherine Morrison. “We’re thrilled to have found a way to put these apples to great use, and have a delicious product to help support and celebrate Seattle’s urban harvest as a result.”

In 2014, 32 percent of Seattle’s urban fruit crop was composted after harvest. In 2015, thanks to the new partnership with Seattle Cider Company, that number was reduced to just eight percent. During harvest, as fruit was collected and sorted, apples unable to be used by food banks were dropped off at Seattle Cider Company and pressed. The result is a delightfully tart and tannic cider offering 6.3 percent ABV and just 1 Brix (measurement of residual sweetness), made from more than 40 apple varieties.

“This cider provides an amazing opportunity for us and cider lovers to give back to our community, and support City Fruit’s efforts. This is a one-of-a-kind cider both for how it’s made and the partnership it has created, and we’re proud to be a part of it,” said Caitlin Braam, president of Seattle Cider Company.

With only 140 cases produced, City Fruit cider will be available for a limited time at all Seattle Whole Foods locations for $12.99 a bottle beginning July 29.

“Our team members are part of the local community and they are passionate about supporting the non profit organizations and causes that are important to our shoppers and neighbors,” added Susan Livingston, Executive Marketing Coordinator at Whole Foods Market. “This is a terrific partnership with lots of potential for future collaboration.”

City Fruit’s Save Seattle’s Apples campaign is geared toward building awareness about Seattle’s urban canopy, the proper care and management of apples trees, and providing opportunities for the public to protect apples. Efforts are underway to cover and protect more than 20,000 apples throughout the city of Seattle.