Amish cheesemaker preserves tradition with online sales

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PHILADELPHIA — In central Pennsylvania farmland, Amish cheesemaker Goot Essa strives to follow their community’s religious traditions and assure it is as self-sustainable as possible. But to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, it has turned to online sales, and the contracted-out website is now responsible for 50% of their retail business, throwing a small lifeline until the boost of the holiday season arrives when gift basket business typically requires them to double staff.