Distilleries and wineries from Upstate New York have collaborated to provide 20,000 gallons of hand sanitiser per week to support local communities in the fight against coronavirus (Covid-19).

The distilleries, including Rootstock Cider & Spirits, O’Begley Distillery and Uncharted Spirits, will be providing the sanitiser products under Stone Soup Project.

Local business transformation agency Aspire will be executing the project using its experience in business management.

Aspire and spirits industry advisor Chris Carlsson said: “We have a unique opportunity as an industry to make a positive and critical contribution to people’s lives right now.”

The hand sanitiser, which is said to be in line with the World Health Organization formula and pricing guidelines, will be shipped this week.

Additionally, a portion of the sanitiser product will be donated to local non-profit organisations, including police, fire, ambulance, clinics, nursing homes and assisted living.

Aspire co-founders Ron Dougherty and Jonathan Romeyn said: “The Covid-19 crisis is affecting our entire community and changing how businesses look and act.

“We’re incredibly thankful to all of the distilleries and wineries for coming together to help meet this critical need. In this time of crisis, this partnership highlights how we can work together and innovate to meet the pressing needs of our community’s most vulnerable.”

Dougherty also collaborated with local wineries such as Fox Run Vineyards, Swedish Hill Vineyard & Winery and Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards to acquire wine for the distilleries to turn into hand sanitiser.

Earlier, Still Austin Whiskey, a US-based distillery, has reportedly announced that it will make more than 100,000 gallons of hand sanitiser to support the fight against coronavirus (Covid-19) spread.

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