In a message dated 9/11/00 10:35:38 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

> Regardless, you really should try to sell retail at your stand.  Try a label
>  that says "Basswood" and (if it is true), Raw and Unfiltered.  I think you
>  would be surprised at the sophistication of your customers.  If you can,
put
>  jars of it in a location where they will be back lighted by natural
>  daylight.  It shows wonderfully.  Finally, the contrast with some nearby
>  jars of "wildflower" will be especially striking.

    Though I agree with Lloyd, some things need consideration here. When a
hobbyist beekeeper begins to sell honey they step over an important line.
They become subject to a number of regulations and at least one regulatory
agency.
There are some rules that seem downright trivial, but they are there.  For
example you cannot label your honey "Pure Basswood Honey,"  but you can label
it "Pure Honey, Basswood.  That is a subtile difference, but it is written
into law.  Another is that there are prescribed size of type and manner of
expression of content weights.

   The most important regulation is that your state simply isn't going to
allow you to pack honey at your kitchen counter and sell it to the public.
You have to have an approved, state inspected facility to pack it. Oftentimes
the easiest way to do this is to work with another beekeeper, who already has
approved facilities.

   You can run a search at the FDA web site to get some basic information,
but remember that most regulations are implemented and enforced at the state
level. You need to also check with your state. Some have the inspection
agencies under the health agency, some are in the department of agriculture.
Best bet is to go to your state website and look up the information, or ask
your county extension agent.

    I remember the first time I put out honey in a local produce stand here
in SC.  I was visited by the state health inspector within about 2 weeks, and
he wanted to see my facilities (like right NOW!).  I guess I had a vague idea
that such regulations existed, but I thought they were pretty laid back about
honey, because it doesn't have the hazards that some producets (like meat)
have.

    BTW, the name "Basswood" falls like a lump of lead.  Why not the more
poetic, but just as accurate name, "American Linden?"

Dave Green      SC   USA
"Haaalp, I've been stung by a "bee!"     http://pollinator.com/stung.htm