As a beekeeper in upstate NY, about as far from Dennis as one can get and
still be in the state, I know Wegmans reasonably well.  They are a
well-regarded company and have a huge market share in NY and Penn.  That
said, their reply to Dennis is typical of media-speak.  Let's analyze, (my
comments are in *blue) *they said:

"The US only produced 144 million pounds of honey in 2009, while our
national consumption is nearly 400 million pounds."  *Mostly true
statement, but according to other sources the total national consumption is
overstated.  * "If we could source honey from the US only, we would, but
that is not feasible."  *Absolutely untrue statement.  Wegman's could
easily source 100% of their honey from US sources, but declines to do so as
it would mean either changing suppliers or paying more, or both.  * "We
take the upmost care in selecting our suppliers both in the US and
abroad."   *Maybe...there are at least a few honey suppliers who would love
to get their foot in the door at Wegmans and can't do so.  In fact, one
such supplier (a large commercial beekeeper in NYS) had a nice business
supplying a Wegman competitor's three stores with honey until the stores
were acquired (in 2011) by Wegman, and they stopped buying honey from him.
"*All the raw honeys are tested by our suppliers quality assurance
department before they are permitted to be sold to our customers."  *So
they say...note that Wegman does not disclose the name of their supplier?
Why not?  It is probably Dutch Gold.*
**
So, they start with a statement that is mostly or wholly true, and then
couple that with a combination of untrue and partially-true statements.
Typical of media-speak.  The only reason why there is not enough honey
produced in the US to meet supply is that the price has not been high
enough for long enough.  Sure, beekeeper perspective prices are ok in 2011
and were ok in 2010, but two years does not a market make.  China will (in
time) get their act together, and then watch prices drop.  Beekeepers
instinctively know that so are not rushing to add the hundreds of thousands
of hives to meet demand and compete with honey at $1.00 a pound, landed.

Lloyd

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