A straw bale building at Stanmer
The Fruit Factory is the hub of Brighton Permaculture Trust’s scrumping project—rescuing fruit that would otherwise go to waste. From humble beginnings in a barn at Stanmer Park, it now processes up to 40 tons of fruit a year—that’s over 250,000 apples! This fruit is turned into juice, jams, and other products, supporting both sustainability and community education.
The story of the building
The project began as a straw bale structure inside an old tractor shed in July 2014. Straw bale construction may seem unusual, but it’s a perfect fit for permaculture principles: low-impact, renewable, and surprisingly robust. As part of our educational work, much of the building process has involved participants on our Building with Straw Bales course, giving hands-on experience in sustainable construction.
You can view the straw bale design here (PDF – opens in a new window) to see how the building was planned and constructed.
After completing the straw bale walls, we needed windows, doors, a roof, plaster, render, and connections to utilities. In March 2015, we launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise £12,000 in 30 days—and exceeded our goal, raising £12,601.25 from 236 donors! This enabled us to complete the building, providing much-needed space for scrumping, storage, workshops, and public events.
Today, The Fruit Factory is more than just a building. It’s a space where people gather to learn, volunteer, and celebrate local food. Every litre of juice produced comes from fruit that might otherwise have gone to waste, feeding both community and environment alike. Volunteers are at the heart of the project, helping with scrumping, processing, and educational activities.
Where to find The Fruit Factory
Stanmer Village, Stanmer
Brighton
BN1 9PZ
Discover how The Fruit Factory helps reduce fruit waste and supports our community.
Embrace the opportunity to make a meaningful impact!
Whether you’re interested in environmental initiatives, community engagement, or skill-building, we welcome your involvement. Take an active part contributing your skills and passion to drive positive change by volunteering with us.