To get a UPC code you must register with the Uniform Code council, as  the
first six digits of the 12 digits in a UPC code are a manufacturer code
which represents a unique manufacturer.

SUE-BEE HONEY BEAR     Code is   018700000404
 SUE-BEE HONEY 12 oz      Code is   018725310000
 POST HONEY-COMB         Code is   043000111710
post honey bunches of oats        Code is  043000112304

Okay, I know the second pair is a stretch as far as honey is concerned but
you get the point.

I agree it's ridiculous to be charged $750 to register as a 'company' with
sales under 2 million dollars, especially if we aren't interested in large
distribution or mass marketing.  For those of us that just want to make the
job of a local retailer easier for them to make our product more attractive,
check with them to see what their registers recognize for barcode formats,
and even if it's limited to UPC, you can have them use a 'fake' one that
isn't in their current database.  There's no reason it has to be nationally
recognized for a small merchant to use it.

Hope this helps.

Ben