Distilleries and other small artisan producers are doing what they can to help out in the fight against COVID19 pandemic. As was well publicized by the media, antibacteria hand soap, bathroom tissue, and paper towels, as well as medical masks were in short supply. Local producers have come to the rescue.
Hudson Valley distilleries such as Harvest Spirits, Cooper's Daughter, and Hudson Valley Distillers, and Massachusetts' Berkshire distilling have all raced to the rescue. making hand sanitizer a portion of which have been donated to local first aid responders, including law enforcement, EMT units, and fire companies. And some has been made available for sale to the general public. These are sanitizers made by local folks, using local products, and will ultimately help save lives.
More importantly, this small group of seemingly interstate rivals banded together to work with the NYSLA and the TTB and the FDA to get the product out in record time. The distillers worked with each other and with other distillers and local beverage producers to get the product out as quickly as possible to meet emergency and public demand.
Derek Grout, owner of Harvest Spirits was so busy making the sanitizer that he slept in his offics for 12 days straight. "Busy making hand sanitizer for those in need. We never imagined when we opened our doors oh so long ago that we would be making this stuff 12 years later." They are selling it at the distillery and the Golden Harvest farm stand shop. "We do curb side delivery if you call ahead of time."
With the help of generous donations, Cooper's Daughter Spirits was able to donate 1,500 bottles of hand sanitize to 56 different essential services/businesses last week alone. "During such a dark and unusual time, being able to help people has given us hope and a sense of purpose. It has been especially meaningful knowing that we are helping people who do so much for others on a daily basis," said owner Sophie Newsome.
Harvest Spirits owners Jen and Chris Moyer donated a portion of their sanitizers to local officials and have some for sale at their Hudson Valley Distillers!
Over in the Berkshires, Berkshire Mountain Distillers, one of the biggest distilleries in Massachusetts, is turning out hand sanitizer as well!
Equally interesting was the effort of two local textile artisans on getting masks out. Christin Ripley (of Christin Ripley Designs) and Lelah Khorramian (of Laloon Studios) sewed together to make vetted M4P masks for Columbia Memorial Hospital and Harlem Memorial Hospital.
Thank you to all of these producers and the many more who are coming to the public's aid.