What can I do with a surplus of fruit?

[pussycat_69]

Hi everyone,hope you can help....
My mother in law has a very large surplus of fruit such as plums and apples from the fruit trees in her garden. Although she is happy to use some of them in recipes,and has given lots and lots away to family and friends, is there anywhere she can take them to be used commercially or something like that? It seems such a waste to just let them rot. We live in Devon.
Thanks.......

[Old_Geezer]

Massive barrels, cider press, go buy yeast and demijohns and plan a big party for Xmas :-)

[bednobs]

here in berkshire, we give our glut of apples to the local cider farm/maker who advertise for spare aplles in the local paper

[pussycat_69]

Thanks for that,bednobs and Old Geezer :-)

[ummmm]

Do they give you free cider bednobs? Might plant an apple tree :-)

[jno]

is there an Abundance group near you? They collect and give to charity

http://news.bbc.co.uk.../magazine/8280425.stm

[trt]

Any care homes near you?

[Whoever]

Depending on how many she's got, if there are any charity shops in her area they will probably be happy to take some. She could also leave them in boxes outside her house with a notice "Please Help Yourself". If she has a Freecycle group near her, I understand that this is also a very popular way of getting rid of the surplus. Also, any local winemaking groups may welcome a free supply of fruit.

[tweenyb]

make jams and pickles and chutneys and pies etc etc etc sell them at local market or carboot