With a shortage of hand sanitizer, two Whatcom distilleries are making their own
A couple of local distilleries are stepping up by making hand sanitizer and giving it out for free to the community.
Bellewood Farms and Chuckanut Bay Distillery each began distributing their versions last week after stores experienced shortages of the commercial product. Bellewood Farms was giving away 16 ounces of its Farm Hands sanitizer to each person, while Chuckanut gave away around 200 of its 50 milliliter bottles on Saturday, March 21.
Chuckanut co-owner Kelly Andrews said they are ramping up production to make large quantities for the local medical community to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. They had to order larger containers for the medical community donations after receiving quite a few requests. He said they plan to have some five-gallon buckets available later this week.
During the Chuckanut giveaway on Saturday, which happened at its 1311 Cornwall Ave. downtown location, Andrews said they met seniors, families and people coming on behalf of others who expressed appreciation for the effort. As they have more bottles ready, they’ll announce other giveaways on the company’s Facebook page. They will also be looking for help distributing the sanitizer to the medical community; volunteers can send Chuckanut Bay Distillery a message through Facebook or email info@chuckanutbaydistillery.com.
Bellewood Farms on 6140 Guide Meridian is also working on a spray version, according to its Facebook page, and is hoping to have that ready this week. The 62-acres farm is known for its apples, bakery and store, but opened the distillery in 2012 when they expanded into the Guide Meridian facility.
Over the weekend Bellewood Farms handed out sanitizer to hundreds of people and plan to continue doing so when they are open Wednesday and through the weekend, said Eric Abel, president of the company. A wide variety of people dropped in over the weekend and many were warm and upbeat despite the stress of dealing with the coronavirus outbreak, he said.
They’ve also been shipping to medical facilities such as the Family Care Network as well as other businesses such as Alcoa’s Intalco Works.
Bellewood was able to ramp up operations fairly quickly because much of the ingredients needed for hand sanitizer is already on the farm, like apples and grain. While the cafe and the tasting room are closed, they are also selling baked goods to go, along with the normal distillery products including vodka and gin.
For companies, particularly in the medical field, interested in the Farm Hands sanitizer, email Abel at Eric@bellewoodfarms.com or call 818-633-2465.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
COVID-19, the new coronavirus, is a disease caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2.
The disease is spread through contact between people within six feet of each other, especially through coughing and sneezing that expels respiratory droplets that land in the mouths or noses of people nearby.
Although most of the cases have been mild, the disease is especially dangerous for the elderly and others with weaker immune systems.
Click the drop-down icon in the upper right of this card for more information on symptoms and how to stop its spread.
What you can do
Here’s what you can do to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, according to the Whatcom County Health Department.
▪ Keep six feet between yourself and others when in public.
▪ Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
▪ Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth with hands that haven’t been washed.
▪ Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, throw the tissue in the trash and then wash your hands.
▪ Stay home if you feel sick. Avoid others who are sick.
▪ If your symptoms are severe and require medical care, call your doctor first.
This story was originally published March 23, 2020 at 1:31 PM.
