The Montezuma Orchard Restoration Project will host community juicing days the next two Saturdays, paving the way for apple tree owners and enthusiasts to obtain freshly pressed apple juice.
The event is Saturday, Oct. 21 and 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Orchard Hub, at 13729 County Road 29 in Dolores. Attendees should pull in the fourth driveway on the west side of the road just north of Southwest Seed. Supervised children may attend, but pets should remain at home.
A 5-liter box of pasteurized juice will be available for every three bushels of clean apples. If someone prefers unpasteurized juice, MORP asks for them to bring their own sanitized glassless containers.
They ask that the apples are harvested directly from the tree, not from the ground and that they are free of leaves, dirt, rot, manure and twigs. Apples should not be harvested near fresh manure and livestock. MORP also requests that the apples are placed in clean boxes or crates.
Crates and harvest supplies are available to borrow with the support from the LOR Foundation. To reserve supplies, go here.
Apples that are less than a bushel will be blended with other donations, producing a community blend.
Participants who have 20 bushels or more should consider scheduling time with the Mobile Juicing Service.
Five liters of pasteurized heritage apple juice will also be available for $20 per box.
Unpasteurized juice will be available for a suggested donation of $20 per gallon or $10 per gallon for every bushel the person brings.
Unpasteurized juice contains potential hazards if not used for fermentation, and will carry the warning, “This product has not been pasteurized and, therefore, may contain harmful bacteria that can cause serious illness in children, the elderly and persons with weakened immune systems.”
Safety precautions at the event include keeping visitors away from the press, which includes dangerous equipment such as a boiler, grinder, bin tipper, belt, etc. MORP will only allow trained operators on or near it.
Other safety measures include no food or drink (besides water and apple juice) near the press, in the facility or on the deck in an effort to reduce potential allergens in the processing area.
Bathrooms will be available, and everyone needs to wash their hands to prevent bacteria from spreading in the juice.
MORP also advises that the pasteurized juice box should be opened the day after pickup since it will be scalding hot the first day.
MORP is in search of volunteers who are 16 and older for the community juicing days at Orchard Hub. They will help package pasteurized juice into 5-liter boxes, which involves “labeling boxes with the date, packaging hot juice into cardboard boxes, closing the boxes and stacking and moving them on pallets.”
MORP asks volunteers to email morp@montezumaorchard.org, and list the days and times people are interested in volunteering so they can properly schedule the shifts. They need help on Oct. 21 and Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteers who work three or more hours will receive a box of apple juice. If interested, do not show up without contacting MORP.
The event will be held at Orchard Hub at 13729 County Road 29 in Dolores on Oct. 21 and Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
