GOSHEN, N.Y. (April 21, 2020) – A unique Hudson Valley-based partnership to manufacture and distribute hand sanitizer is innovatively responding to the immense demand for this product, creating jobs and benefiting public safety. Orders from the public for this sanitizer are now being accepted.
The collaboration between Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery of Warwick, N.Y. and Access: Supports for Living, a non-profit organization serving people with developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs, was facilitated by the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation.
Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery creates the hand sanitizer using grain alcohol, and then bottles it. Its recipe complies with World Health Organization protocols, ensuring it is safe and effective. Access: Supports for Living, with locations throughout the Hudson Valley, distributes the hand sanitizer through its industrial operations division, Access: Business Solutions.
The demand for hand sanitizer has quickly outstripped the supply as the coronavirus crisis has deepened – and hand sanitizer has become a powerful safety tool for first responders, healthcare teams and others across all walks of life. The need has been particularly significant within community-based, non-profit facilities like those operated by Access.
“Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery is proud to partner with Access and HVEDC to make an important difference,” said Co-Managing Partner Jeremy Kidde. “Our team is excited that the sanitizer we’re creating is helping limit coronavirus’ spread.”
“This partnership is some of the best of what we can hope for during this crisis – businesses across sectors finding innovative solutions to critical needs, while keeping people working,” said Ron Colavito, President and CEO of Access: Supports for Living. “Put simply, this hand sanitizer is helping protect the health of our staff, the people we support and our community. We’re proud of this partnership.”
Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. President and CEO Michael Oates said the project’s initial goal was to aid agencies that serve people with special needs, which were in need of sanitizer. He reached out to Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery, which quickly agreed to participate. Oates then contacted Access: Supports for Living, which saw the potential to not only receive the sanitizer it needed, but to assist similar organizations. Overall, the collaboration is helping meet the ever-increasing demand for hand sanitizer.
“This is another great example of the Hudson Valley businesses working hand in hand to respond to a community need,” Oates said. “This partnership not only directly targets well-being, but it helps boost the local economy in a way that offers benefits now and in the future.”
Production, which started with a 55-gallon batch donated to Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie in late March, will be ongoing. Vassar Brothers already has requested additional shipments and its parent entity, Nuvance, will share the sanitizer across its system.
Access: Supports for Living, the Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery and the HVEDC thanked U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, who played a key role in advancing the partnership to reality. He was instrumental in eliminating the excise tax associated with alcohol, helping reduce costs, and is working with Access: Supports for Living to secure approval to ship the sanitizer, an alcohol-based product.
“Access Supports for Living, Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery, and HVEDC’s fast action and delivery will bring desperately needed supplies and peace of mind to hundreds of the Hudson Valley’s first responders, healthcare providers and so many others on the front lines fighting this pandemic,” said Senator Schumer. “I was happy to help them clear the red tape, allowing Access and Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery to create jobs by starting to manufacture and distribute hand sanitizer, using ethanol distilled from grains grown right here in Orange County’s famous black dirt, for our heroes who need it most. I’ll continue to help local businesses facing federal hurdles so we see more of these stories of people coming together in innovative ways to promote public safety while keeping their doors open.”
The collaboration had additional behind-the-scenes efforts to make it successful, such as locating one-gallon bottles, which will be reused; and hydrogen peroxide, a recipe ingredient also in high demand. The HVEDC, however, was able to secure enough donations and supplies to ensure production for the foreseeable future. Much of the hydrogen peroxide secured for initial production was donated by Access staff members.
The public is welcome to order sanitizer, which comes in one-gallon bottles. There already are back orders, but Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery, which is providing its services at cost, and Access: Supports for Living are ready to meet the demand. To place an order, please call (845) 281-4974 or email cmasters@asfl.org.
About Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery
Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery, which opened in 1994, was the first micro-distillery in New York State. Its mission since its inception has been to create fruit-based alcoholic beverages that are as unique as the fruits themselves. A founding principle is that starting with the finest natural ingredients is the only way to achieve great quality in the finished products. Visit WVWinery.com.
About Access: Supports for Living
Access: Supports for Living was founded in 1963 by a group of families who believed in a bright, positive future for their children with disabilities. Today, Access is a $100 million non-profit organization mission-driven to help people live the healthiest and fullest lives possible. Access supports more than 10,000 people each year through services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health and substance use concerns, and children and families with a range of needs. Visit AccessSupports.org
