Apple and pear juice
Watch our video and step into the vibrant world of juicing at the Fruit Factory, where we turn the bounty of Sussex fruit into liquid delights that capture the essence of freshness and community spirit.
Some shocking statistics
Brighton & Hove
residents waste
39,000
tonnes of food every year
(that’s about 260kg per household).
Tackling food waste
can save up to
£50/month
on food bills
and save the energy of natural resources and human effort.
Nearly
50%
of what is thrown away is fresh fruit and vegetables.
Source: Brighton & Hove Food Partnership
Our scrumping project, a passion project that started small but blossomed into something extraordinary!
For six years, we delighted in pop-up productions at events and used community kitchens to bring the joy of scrumping to all. The overwhelming success of our scrumping events sparked a brilliant idea – to elevate the scrumping experience to new heights, giving birth to the incredible Fruit Factory.
At the heart of our initiative is the commitment to rescuing over 30 tonnes of Sussex fruit annually, ensuring that no delicious goodness goes to waste. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Brighton Permaculture Trust and our dedicated volunteers, we’ve transformed this rescued bounty into a delectable array of local juices and ciders.
What sets our products apart is their unparalleled freshness, authentic local production, and the incredible journey they undergo with the help of our passionate volunteers – all in full view of the public. By indulging in our unique creations, you not only savor the taste of Sussex but also contribute to our educational mission.
Fresh apple and pear juices that are not only delicious but also packed with nutrition. Choose from our refreshing fresh juice or opt for the convenience of pasteurised juice that can be stored until the perfect moment strikes.
A delightful assortment of jams, chutneys, and preserves, showcasing the best of seasonal flavors harvested from apples, pears, mulberries, damsons, and cherry plums.
Join us in celebrating the vibrant spirit of community, sustainability, and mouthwatering delights at the Fruit Factory!
Discover our scrumped products
From fresh-pressed juices to delicious preserves, every bottle helps fight fruit waste and support local sustainability. Find out where to buy, what’s available, and how your purchase makes a difference.
Why We Scrump
Every year, tonnes of perfectly good fruit go to waste — in private gardens, communal spaces, and even commercial orchards. Often it’s simply due to a lack of ladders, tools, or know-how about harvesting and preserving.
In commercial settings, large amounts of fruit never even leave the orchard, ending up as compost or animal feed instead of being enjoyed as food.
At the same time, the UK imports huge volumes of fruit from abroad. In 2017, for example, around 67% of apples consumed in the UK were imported (DEFRA). By making use of the fruit growing on our doorstep, we not only reduce food waste but also cut down food miles — a small but important step in tackling the climate crisis.
The Fruit Factory: A Hub for Scrumping and Sustainability
Brighton Permaculture Trust’s Fruit Factory is the heart of our scrumping project — rescuing fruit that would otherwise go to waste. Based in Stanmer Park, this unique facility can process up to 40 tonnes of surplus fruit a year — that’s over 250,000 apples!
To put it in perspective: the average UK consumer drinks around 75 litres of fruit juice annually. In Brighton & Hove alone, that adds up to nearly 20 million litres each year. Through our community-powered efforts, we produce about 10,000 litres annually from rescued fruit — just 0.05% of the city’s juice consumption, but every bottle makes a difference.
The Fruit Factory also provides space to store and sort fruit, host educational sessions, run juicing days, and bring people together to celebrate seasonal harvests. Sales of our juice and preserves help fund our wider work in education and orchard planting.
Building the Fruit Factory: A Community Effort
The Fruit Factory began life in 2014 as a straw bale building within a disused tractor shed. But before we could open our doors, we needed to raise funds for essential works — windows, doors, plastering, plumbing, and more.
On 3 March 2015, we launched a crowdfunding campaign through Buzzbnk with a target of £12,000 in 30 days. Thanks to overwhelming community support, we reached — and exceeded — our goal, raising £12,601.25 from 236 generous donors.
That success allowed us to complete the building and turn it into a lively hub for fruit-saving, education, and community events. If you missed the campaign but would still like to support the project, here’s how:
- Help fund juice donations to FareShare.
- Let us know about fruit trees in your area with unused fruit.
- Volunteer with us during scrumping season — it’s a great way to get involved (and taste some fresh fruit along the way!).
Thank you to our Fruit Factory supporters
The Fruit Factory wouldn’t exist without the generosity, skills, and energy of many individuals and organisations. We’re incredibly grateful to:
- The many donors who contributed to our crowdfunding campaign
- Our hardworking volunteers who bring the project to life
- TimberBale – for building the structure with care and dedication
- Daniel Jon Griffiths, artist and blacksmith at Stanmer, for his ongoing support
- DH Solar Engineers – for plumbing expertise
- Infinity Foods – for ongoing support
- Lightfoot LED – for supplying our lighting
- The Naturesave Trust – for grant support
- SIG PLC – for donating eco-friendly roofing materials
- Sterling Power Tools – for fixtures and fittings
- Westgate Joinery – for our doors and windows
This project is a true community collaboration — thank you all.
In permaculture, ‘waste’ is another word for ‘resource’ — it’s not waste until it’s wasted, after all!
Upcoming: Apple Blossom Day
Celebrate the beauty of the orchard in bloom! Join us for a free, family-friendly afternoon of music, talks, orchard tours, and our famous crumble, cider and juice stall. Come enjoy the blossom, learn about permaculture, and welcome the season together. Sunday 26 April, 1–5pm.
Get Involved
There are various ways you can contribute to our mission and get involved with Brighton Permaculture Trust. Explore the opportunities and join us on the journey towards a more resilient world.