Selling honey

Ammerbee · Jul 24, 2017

I have a couple of hives and have just produced my first honey crop (about 45lb) - this is of course way too much for my family to eat and even with gifts to friends and colleagues I'm going to have a big surplus - I have had the appropriate labels made by Thorne but not sure what I need to do next - advise much appreciated

Show me the honey · Jul 24, 2017

Can't be much help on label side as I didn't bother (sold to all friend and family) but you will be surprised how quickly that 45lb will be all but gone once a few friends/family try it and tell their friends! I had to turn people away in the end else I wouldn't of have enough for myself!! I know it seems like a huge amount right now but that won't last when you're down to 10 jars or so

protheroe · Jul 24, 2017

Depends on your local council.i have to deal with trading standards and home visits every few years to check food hygiene for selling honey while a mile up the road there's no checks on food hygiene for selling honey under a different borough council

madasafish · Jul 24, 2017

Let the WI sell it for you. A quick talk on bees and then sell honey ...

enrico · Jul 24, 2017

Sold 50lbs a couple of years ago to one person via a sign on the gate. I use a jar a week just for me. On cereal, in coffee, in cooking, honey cakes and biscuits, on toast and porridge, in yoghurt and on fruit. Steamed puddings, try dipping a banana in honey and eating it. There is no end of tasting fun to be had.
If you give a jar to a neighbour they will ask if you can sell them some more. The problem is when you run out.....they don't believe it!
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Amari · Jul 24, 2017

Ammerbee said:
I have a couple of hives and have just produced my first honey crop (about 45lb) - this is of course way too much for my family to eat and even with gifts to friends and colleagues I'm going to have a big surplus - I have had the appropriate labels made by Thorne but not sure what I need to do next - advise much appreciated

As others have said: 45lb will quickly disappear. I use mine as a gift if we're invited out to dinner (cheaper than taking a bottle of wine!) or for a raffle prize (every club in this village has a raffle at each meeting).
If you sell via local shop their commission is subtracted from what they sell at, so best to sell at your door - I have a tupperware box on a pole on the grass verge outside our house which holds four jars. Money is put down a drain pipe leading through the hedge to a chamber pot - see my avatar. I rarely get swindled.
If I understand the law correctly, your labels do not need to conform to trading standards stipulations if you sell from home. If you get Thorne's to print them they will advise the format.
I have a stand at the village fete with an observation hive and candle rolling for the children - and sell honey and beeswax.