The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Bees & Beekeeping => Topic started by: Tree Farmer on July 29, 2013, 11:23:48 am

Title: Selling honey?
Post by: Tree Farmer on July 29, 2013, 11:23:48 am

Hi all,

I am sorry if I have missed a section / thread about this, but wondered if anyone has any simple advice / info on selling honey?

We have a couple of our own hives - second year, but only just taking any honey - and are also thinking about buying a couple more from someone who is selling up. But we don't know what to do with all the honey.

Can we just set up an honesty box at the bottom of the drive? Sell it to local shops?

I am not sure if there is any legal requirements re hygiene / labelling etc.

Our next local beekeepers meeting is coming up, so I can ask there (and probably get 100 different answers, in true beekeeping form!) but would appreciate any thoughts / help now, before deciding about the additional hives.

Thanks,

Charlotte

Title: Re: Selling honey?
Post by: Beewyched on July 29, 2013, 01:24:46 pm

This is a very informative site http://www.wnklba.co.uk/Selling.htm (http://www.wnklba.co.uk/Selling.htm)
 
But I'm sure you'll get plenty of local knowledge from other keepers in your Association, with various differing viewpoints.  But it's also a good idea to check that you won't be treading on anyone else's toes when it comes to selling territory too  ;) 

Title: Re: Selling honey?
Post by: ZacB on July 29, 2013, 04:26:43 pm

There are some legal requirements on the label details, the Thornes catalogue is a good source for some of the info. I believe if you are supplying to shops and not the end consumer you also need individual lot numbers for traceability. BBKA is also a good source of info.

Title: Re: Selling honey?
Post by: Small Farmer on July 29, 2013, 05:02:22 pm

Selling direct is simpler legally than selling to a shop for on-sale but it is worth being aware of the food hygiene regulations which apply.  It is essential to maintain a record of batch numbers along with the water content measurements you will have done.  Honey is very safe to sell but if anything goes wrong you need to have ticked the boxes.


All the people who sell labels will tell you the stuff that needs to go on them but it's all obvious.  It's worth putting anti-tamper seals on as well if you're using an honesty box system.   

Title: Re: Selling honey?
Post by: Victorian Farmer on July 29, 2013, 05:54:04 pm

IL TAKE 4 JARS OR 6 JUST GIVE ME ADDRESS IL SEND THE CASH FOR MY CHICKIN DRINKERS  .MESSAGE ME

Title: Re: Selling honey?
Post by: anderso on July 30, 2013, 10:45:58 am

All the information given is good remember when selling honey it has to be honey (not honey water) in jars of mitrc weights - it is useful to talk to your public health people at the council (they have loads of information with regards what to do and not to do) they are not out to stop you..