Chukar is an artisan food manufacturer and one of the millions of small employers in the USA. Chukar Cherries has an incredible team of committed employees, many having been with the company for decades. Because Chukar is a food manufacturer, we are allowed to keep operating. In late February, Washington State's governor issued physical distancing and subsequent stay-at-home guidelines. Overnight, the Chukar Management Team had to reevaluate everything—current operations and payroll, internal safety plans, marketing plans, and more. Safety protocols had to be re-written. Contingency plans were developed in case someone must stay home. Fortunately, cross-training is the norm at Chukar.

But there have been many sharp pains. By March, the governor's mandate and safety concerns prompted the closing of Chukar’s retail outlet in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Ten days later Chukar's retail outlet in Prosser shuttered. After a few shocked weeks, we implemented curbside-pick-up ordering at both retail locations. Our Prosser retail team is cross-trained in other positions, but our Pike Team is in a crunch. We are fully aware of the cost of living in Seattle. Keeping our team at Pike safe and surviving through the shutdown is top of mind. There's no road map for this. It is simply people improvising with a common goal of safety, survival, community connection, teamwork.

Back at the ranch: It’s critical to stay home, yet keep connected to family, friends, and neighbors. To reduce infection rates, we are in-home, physically distancing ourselves from one another, repeatedly washing our hands for 20+ seconds, not touching the face, and wearing a face mask when outside. A great way to support one another is to send loved ones (and even clients) something delicious and healthy from Chukar Cherries. Visit CHUKAR.COM for antioxidant busting dried cherries, our famously luscious chocolate cherries & pecans, and a wide assortment of care packages and cherry gift baskets. Bon App!

PS: In my next blog entry, I'll provide specifics on the HEALTH BENEFITS OF CHERRIES.

Masks made & designed by Yolanda Flores, Chocolatier Lead