It’s Fall in New England and that means cider season- which for me means checking in with my friends at Champlain Orchards in VT.

And while I love their Mac & Maple and Farmstead ciders all year and their seasonal sippers like Honeycrisp and the recently-released Tuscan Blue are always worth waiting for (as is their forthcoming batch of ice cider!). In addition to their more traditional ciders, Chaplain also offers such creative creations as the local honey-tinged Larrabee, the ginger tea-infused Calyx, the Sangria-cider mash-up known as Sidria, and their amazing cider syrup. Despite all the delicious gifts they offer, however, what I love most about Champlain is how much they give to others!

In addition to partnering with other purveyors whose products they pack into their plentiful gift boxes, Champlain recently kicked off a new program that will have them giving more of their own bounty to people in need.

Through their new Cider for Good program, Champlain will donate ¼-pound of apples to area food banks for each four-pack of cider they sell. As they grow over 175 different fruit varieties, this program will not only bring nutrition to thousands but also educate many about the wide range of local bounty that is available in our region. And as the program will be hosted in New England, New Jersey, and Delaware, it will hopefully bring Champlain’s delicious drinks and other treats and their generosity to people far and wide.

While I do not need any more reason to enjoy Champlain Orchard ciders that than delicious taste and the good feeling of knowing they are ecologically responsible, to also know that they are helping others makes even the dry ciders that much sweeter!