By Mary Owen
The Aumsville Planning Commission is selling fruit pies that would make even the most particular pie lover drool.
“We are excited to sell Willamette Valley Fruit Co. pies,” said Lora Hofmann, Aumsville’s administrative assistant. “All the funds will be used to continue to pay for our free summer recreation program and the books we give away.”
The annual event started as a fundraiser for the city’s welcome sign, raising about $250, Hofmann said.
“I had worked with the Willamette Valley Fruit Farms when I was a ‘grad party’ mom at Silverton High School,” she said. “We contacted them and they were happy to work with us. We had done other fundraising as well and the city was able to put up our wonderful ‘Welcome to Aumsville’ sign on First Street.”
The following year, when Thanksgiving rolled around, the planning commission decided to keep the pie sale, transferring the funds to the summer recreation program.
“We have some ‘regulars’ who know we will have the pie sale and they buy for Thanksgiving and Christmas,” Hofmann said.
Orders must be placed by Friday, Nov. 2, and the pies are delivered to Aumsville on the morning of Saturday, Nov. 17, for pickup at the Community Center.
This year’s offerings are: American Apple (using tart Granny Smith apples, seasoned with cinnamon and sugar), Cherry Crunch, Marionberry, Marionberry Crunch, Raspberry Rhubarb, and Pumpkin Chiffon (two layers of pumpkin mousse topped with spiced whipped cream). Cherry Crunch and Marionberry Crunch pies contain slivered almonds as part of their crumble topping. Each 9-inch pie sells for $12.
Also this year, the planning commission is selling “pies for two” for $4 each: apple, cherry, peach, Marionberry and raspberry rhubarb.
“We sell the pies for basically the same price that you would pay if you went to the store and purchased them,” Hofmann said of the pies made .
All pies are locally made at Willamette Valley Fruit Co., located in the country between Salem and Silverton, and then frozen.
“WVFC uses only the very freshest ingredients, grown locally,” Hofmann said. “The pies crusts are made from scratch, and then filled with fresh whole fruit containing no preservatives, water, starch or additives. A top crust is then placed over the pie and flash frozen. The pie is baked for the first time when you put it in your oven.”
Hofmann said people really like the opportunity to buy locally made pies that are delivered to Aumsville just in time for Thanksgiving.
“The only bad thing is sometimes people show up asking if there is ‘just one more pie’ they can buy,” Hofmann said of the popular fundraiser. “Every year I order for myself and a few extras. I end up selling my own pies and have to go back to the farm for more!”
Hofmann said the planning commission hopes to double their usual $250 profits, and encourages folks to order pies for this year’s holidays for a good cause.
“The money funds crafts, game equipment and books,” she said of the summer recreation program. “We had 253 kids registered for our once-a-week, 10-week free program this past summer, and that was almost double from the year before. We expect to grow again this summer.”
Planning commissioners appreciate all the Aumsville residents who support the sale, Hofmann said.
“We really appreciate the ones that don’t live in the city limits, but believe in what we are doing and offering to all of the kids in our area,” she said. “We are hoping to sell a lot of pies!”
To order, call the Aumsville City Hall at 503-749-2030, drop by at 595 Main St., or e-mail lora@aumsville.us.
