A Message on COVID-19 to our Valued Customers and Friends,
Our first wish is for your good health, and the health of your family and friends. At Liberty Orchards we have been following the food safety practices recommended by public health authorities, such as mask-wearing, social distancing, and frequent hand washing, and we encourage you to do the same.
Some of you have been asking these questions...
First, is Liberty Orchards still in operation? Our factory has continued to operate throughout the pandemic, and we are now producing for the holiday season. We are shipping daily to our retail, mail order, and online customers. Our factory tour and store in Cashmere is open (find our current store hours here). We are required by Washington State law to enforce mandatory mask-wearing while inside our premises, and we restrict tours to small groups.
Second, are Liberty Orchards candies and Orchard Bars safe to eat? Yes, they are. As always, we are following best food-handling practices, and the Federal Food & Drug Administration has found no evidence of COVID 19 being transmitted by any food products.
Third, has Liberty Orchards made any changes in its operation to protect its employees, visitors, and customers? Yes, we have. We have been monitoring the progression of the virus since the beginning, and have made every effort to comply with the standards of the national and local health authorities. Many food-handling practices have been in place for years, such as regular hand washing, staying home when sick, frequent sanitizing of the facility, etc. But also...
- We require mask wearing at all times by employees and visitors while inside our operation.
- We regularly sanitize often used touchpoints, such as doorknobs, faucet handles, etc.
- We have reorganized all work zones to establish 6 ft of separation between workstations.
- Where 6 ft of separation in not practical, we have installed clear plastic barriers.
- We have installed hand sanitizing stations at each entry to our buildings.
We will continue to watch the situation closely, and follow the guidance of the federal and local authorities. Our heartfelt best wishes to you and to all those directly affected by the virus.
Thank you.
Greg Taylor, President