Our Commitment
As a family-owned and operated business for over 60 years, Willow Tree has always recognized the importance of being committed to the local community, practicing sustainability and responsibility to the environment, upholding high food-safety standards, and ensuring our products are made with only the highest quality ingredients. Following through on our commitments in these different areas is of utmost importance to us here at Willow Tree. Read on to discover how we practice and express our company values and ethics through all that we do.
Community
In addition to supporting local organizations and non-profits (including local chapters of the Boys and Girls Club and YMCA), Willow Tree is also connected to the Julia Cekala Charitable Foundation.
The Julia Cekala Charitable Foundation was created in memory of Walter and Lynda Cekala’s daughter Julia, who passed away on May 23, 2003, at nine years of age. Julia was diagnosed with autism, epilepsy, kidney failure, dialysis and was awaiting a kidney transplant. Julia was a funny, determined and brave little girl who deeply inspired those who knew her, and the foundation was created to celebrate her vibrant spirit and educate people about autism, kidney donation and transplantation, and innovative medical treatments available for those facing the same challenges Julia did.
The foundation raises funds to maintain Julia’s Garden, a 3 + acre public garden and playground complex located in the World War I Memorial Park in North Attleboro, Massachusetts. Julia’s Garden is handicap-accessible, open year round and free to the public. The foundation also engages in community outreach through the annual 5k Butterfly Race and Garden Charity Wine Gala, both of which help support the foundation’s initiatives to advocate for education, recreation, and integration within our community.
Sustainability
Willow Tree is committed to sustainability in both our business practices and the products we offer. We realize that our success depends upon sustaining our environment through the responsible use of resources. We’ve recently renovated our corporate headquarters and processing plant, installing energy-efficient lighting and equipment.
Willow Tree has also entered into an agreement with the Alternative Fuel Foundation to dispose of used canola oil in an environmentally responsible manner. AFF was created to offset carbon emissions produced from burning traditional fossil fuels by collecting used cooking oil (canola, soybean, olive, peanut and hydrogenated) from the food service industry and ensuring it is processed into clean burning biofuel. Reducing air pollution through the production of biofuel reinforces Willow Tree’s commitment to sustainability and corporate responsibility.
The same company that takes our used vegetable oil and processes it into renewable fuel also takes our chicken fat for the same purpose. Even the chicken bones, pictured here, are donated to a pig farm in Rhode Island to be repurposed.
Food Safety
We are committed to delivering on the industry’s highest food safety and quality standards by operating in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including those associated with the U.S. Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point System (HACCP) requirements for effective control of food safety and the SQF Level 2 Global Food Safety Initiative.
We hold high standards for cross-contamination prevention and allergen control. All major food allergen ingredients (eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, shellfish, soy, tree nuts and wheat) are listed in the ingredient list on every container and will be noted in the “Contains” statement.
At Willow Tree, we want our valued customers to have only the best experience with our products. We welcome all questions and comments about our products and make it easy for customers to get in touch with us through our Product Comments form.
Ingredients
We take great pride in making all our products with only the freshest, best ingredients. We source all our chicken from USDA-approved farms on the East Coast, and we periodically visit each of the farms to ensure that the flocks are well maintained and are in compliance with all health and safety standards. The USDA seal found on our product packaging ensures that the chicken has been inspected and is free from visible signs of disease.
We understand that many consumers have questions and concerns about how and why antibiotics are used to treat and prevent disease in livestock and poultry. The chicken producers we use adhere to strict government regulations regarding antibiotic use, and the administration of antibiotics is only one FDA-approved tool to keep chickens healthy. We also offer all natural, antibiotic-free frozen chicken pies (available in 10oz and 26oz sizes) as an alternative to our consumers.