Looking for locally produced honey? Here are 4 brands to try in the Louisville area
For the first couple of years, beekeeping was just a hobby for Joel Gonia and his family.
Now, it's become much more than that.
Gonia runs HoneyBear Farms and the store The Honey Depot in Fisherville, Kentucky, selling 12 kinds of honey, beekeeping equipment, honey-based products and more. The shop even offers beekeeping classes taught by the only five Master Beekeepers in Kentucky.
HoneyBear Farms and its partner beekeepers together have more than 1,400 hives. Last year, they produced 60,000 pounds of honey.
You may like: This new locally-owned coffee shop is opening in Louisville's West End. What to know
Raw honey produced locally, Gonia said, has several health benefits. Honey is a naturally occurring antiseptic that will "cleanse you from the inside out," as long as it hasn't been overly filtered. But it also has medicinal advantages for people's immune systems.
"Natural honey has natural nectar and pollens, which is in the air that we breathe and the water that we drink and the food we taste from the plants. And over a period of time it'll help strengthen your immune system [against allergens]," Gonia said.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service, 73% of honey in the U.S. is imported from countries like Vietnam, Argentina, India and Brazil. Gonia said a "good portion" of imported honey includes added ingredients like corn syrup.
"I think more people are looking for local products for the health benefits and to support local companies," Gonia said. "Anybody can go to Kroger and find seven options. But very seldom are there local options. Honey is delicious, it's sticky, and it's real good for you. We are happy to represent our own product."
If you want to try a locally produced honey, you can find it at stores such as Rainbow Blossom Natural Food Markets or Paul's Fruit Market. Here are four local brands to seek out next time you have a taste for something sweet.
Read this: What's a sweet surprise inside Cave Hill Cemetery? Just beekeeping and honey harvests
Beeing2Gether
beeing2gether.com; 502-230-7414
West End teen Keith Griffith III started beekeeping when he was 11. Now, he has his own blossoming business selling honey and bee products online and at area stores like Rainbow Blossom.
Guests can purchase raw extracted honey in 4-ounce to 12-ounce glass jars ($7.49-$15.49) a 32-ounce jar ($35.49) or by the half gallon ($65) as well as lip balm, soap, T-shirts and gift sets. Find Griffith's honey at Rainbow Blossom stores in St. Matthews and Bardstown Road, Blue Dog Bakery & Cafe, North Lime Donuts, Black Soil in Lexington, Health Daddy, ValuMarket (Iroquois, Mid City Mall, Mt. Washington, Outer Loop). Cave Hill Cemetery
701 Baxter Ave.; cavehillheritagefoundation.org
Cave Hill Cemetery
The historic Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands is known for many things, including being the final resting place of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali. But there's a little-known sweet perk, too: the Cave Hill staff have become beekeepers. Cave Hill Cemetery has about 10 active beehives and produces about 900 pounds of honey per season, which runs from April to August. The honey is bottled and sold at the cemetery, with proceeds going to the Cave Hill Heritage Foundation. It even won a blue ribbon in the light amber honey category at last year's Kentucky State Fair.
Cave Hill's honey is $10 for an 8-ounce jar and $13 for a one-pound jar and can be purchased at the Cave Hill Heritage Foundation office or the Cave Hill Cemetery main office.
EarthyBrowns Natural Products
Paul and Kaye Brown started this natural products company when Paul wanted to make his own mead, or honey wine, at home. Instead, he took up beekeeping. Now the Browns sell a variety of natural products like bar soap, beeswax balms ($4-$8), moisturizers and of course, honey.
Earthy Brown's Natural Products can be found at a variety of local sites, including the Louisville Visitors Center, Lucky's Market, Rainbow Blossom, Paul's Fruit Market and A Taste of KY.
Lavender farm: 'Not just a flower': Louisville-area couple runs largest Kentucky farm, shop for lavender
HoneyBear Farms
https://honeybearfarmsky.com; 15116 Old Taylorsville Road, Fisherville, KY
While the official name of this family operation is HoneyBear Farms KY, it's better known as "The Honey Depot." Joel and Ruth Gonia sell raw, unfiltered honey from Kentucky bees in their shop, as well as an assortment of other products ranging from hives to beekeeping equipment and soap.
Joel Gonia hopes to bring Kentucky honey to many Louisville-area neighborhoods with the opening of five new stores in the next year. The new stores will serve as local coffee shops and also sell honey and honey-based products.
Shop for HoneyBear products on the company's website or visit various area farmers' markets on Saturdays to grab a bottle. HoneyBear sells 12 different flavors of honey at various price points, with the most common, Wildflower Kentucky Honey, set at $8.50 for an 8-ounce jar and $12.50 for a 1-lb jar. The Honey Depot store is open Monday to Friday 1-6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
More: This Louisville farm is saving bees and causing a buzz with its soap
Features reporter Dahlia Ghabour covers food, dining trends and restaurants in the Louisville area. Send tips on new places or story ideas to dghabour@courier-journal.com or follow on Twitter @dghabour.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Honey near me: Cave Hill, other Louisville stores sell products
