According to information provided by the Department of Community and Economic Development, DCED Secretary Dennis Davin recently highlighted the efforts of Eight Oaks Farm Distillery, the veteran-owned, family-run, farm distillery in New Tripoli, for making hand sanitizer in response to the state’s critical need for personal protective equipment.

Eight Oaks Farm Distillery is listed on the DCED’s Business-2-Business Interchange Directory.

The B2B Interchange was created by the DCED to directly connect organizations and businesses searching for COVID-19-related products and supplies and was one of four web applications developed by Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration to serve Pennsylvania’s critical supply needs.

“For months, Pennsylvania’s business community has remained committed to the fight against COVID-19 and ensuring Pennsylvanians can access PPE statewide, so we can continue to mitigate the spread of the virus,” said Davin. “Eight Oaks Farm Distillery is a business woven into the fabric of multiple communities and in tune with the needs of those they serve, and their efforts have had a far-reaching impact during this uncertain time across the commonwealth.”

In early March 2020, before many began voluntarily working remotely or any business closures were enforced, Eight Oaks decided to shut down its distillery operations and focus entirely on the production of hand sanitizer in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Their industry-leading work resulted in the production of more than 30,000 gallons of hand sanitizer from March through June 2020.

With the support of local businesses and individual donations, they have donated over 800,000 ounces of sanitizer to organizations in need, including nonprofits, first responders and front-line workers.

“Our purpose, at the heart of everything we do, is our commitment to help make our community a better place. Thanks to so many generous donations from individuals and businesses we were able to help out a little bit,” said Eight Oaks founder and CEO Chad Butters.

“That’s what having a community business is all about - being a force for good.”