Blue Bird, Inc of Wenatchee, WA Supports Breastfeeding

In 2007, the Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington named Blue Bird, Inc. the 2007 Outstanding Employer. Blue Bird is the oldest co-operative fruit packing company in Central Washington employing approximately 1,600 seasonal employees in their packing houses, orchards and offices. Since 2005, they have provided two private rooms and electric breastpumps for their breastfeeding employees. Each room has a table and chair, refrigerator, cabinet (for pump supplies) and educational materials.
With funding from a Washington Department of Health, the Columbia Valley Community Health (CVCH) WIC program and the Breastfeeding Coalition of Wenatchee encouraged the creation of pumping rooms at local fruit harvesting companies. The Breastfeeding Coalition of Wenatchee nominated Blue Bird, Inc. for the Outstanding Employer Award as they have enthusiastically maintained this support for their employees and offer two rooms; one at their Peshastin, WA headquarters and one at their Wenatchee, WA plant. Women learn about the rooms by word of mouth and via large signs in the break rooms. If necessary, employees can flex their hours to ensure adequate pumping time. All employees, including upper management have received information and training about working and breastfeeding.