>I work for a large grocery store and I'm looking into putting some
quality standards in place for honey here.  Some of the things I've
thought of are: all honey labeled with country of origin no honey from China
(at least right now)

As the buyer you can specify honey with only the U.S. label. The problem is
the packers which sell honey "product of around seven different countires"
on the label have also got a label which says "product of the U.S.".

packers police themselves. Kind of like the wolf guarding the sheep.
Some are honorable and some are not honorable.

Local beekeepers have usually got a excellent local product but in most
cases can not supply the demand of large grocery stores. Most small
beekeepers understand the meaning of sustainable agriculture and do not want
to sell at grocery store prices which are usually set by packers selling
foreign honey.

I find it amusing that U.S. honey in bulk hit bottom at least six months ago
and a flood of cheap imported honey flooded the packer market and packers
are still selling in stores at the prices they were when honey was selling
for 1.50 and up a pound by the container load.

I helped unload 60 drums of honey (with forkilft outside) for a packer last
Saturday (his dock is not yet complete on his new building ,which houses his
new packing line).and asked when he was going to start dropping his prices.
He said not until his new equipment is paid for.

I'm sure there are more things to consider.  Do you have any ideas
regarding this?

1. Jars clean and not sticky
2. labels not on upside down


Kim Flottum
Editor, BeeCulture
623 West Liberty Street
Medina, Ohio  44256

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-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and  other info ---
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