Honey might be sweet on the lips, but did you know that local honey in New York City also has health benefits? Luckily, there are lots of fantastic suppliers of honey made by native bees right here in the city. New York City beekeepers use a variety of spaces like rooftop apiaries and backyard beehives to harvest honey and then pass that delicious and healthful product on to you.
Local Honey is Good for You
Because local honey is made using the pollen from plants where you live, the seasonal allergies that are caused by those blooming flowers can be muted by eating locally harvested honey in NYC. You can find local honey from all five boroughs of New York – Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island. Did you know that there are even beehives on the grounds of the United Nations? Beekeepers in New York have hidden gems all over the city, and you can buy their honey all year round.
For decades now, bee populations everywhere have been in decline. By buying your honey from small, local producers who use sustainable practices, you’re doing your part for the health of the planet as well as you own health. Local honey is full of antioxidants, it’s great for digestive health, and it’s a powerhouse of phytonutrients.
Sustainable NYC Honey
Here are three of the best places to browse from near New York City.
1.) Andrew’s Honey
With four generations of beekeeping fueling this family-run local honey business, you can count on the quality of this raw honey from experienced hands. Andrew’s Honey offers a thoroughly detailed selection from every area of NYC, with seasonal flavor changes based on what’s blooming. Their online shop is easy to navigate, and their offerings extend to beekeeping training, swarm removal, and even urban honey tours! Every purchase from Andrew’s Honey supports the New York Beekeepers Association and Bees Without Borders.
2.) Astor Apiaries
Come to Astor Apiaries for the local raw honey made in NYC, stay for their fantastic flavored and seasonal selections. Who doesn’t get excited about Ghost Pepper Honey or Pumpkin Spice Infused Honey? Harvesting from more than fifty beehives spread out across New York, Astor Apiaries sells their locally harvested honey online and in stores from Whisk in Brooklyn Heights to QED in Astoria. You can also buy local NYC honey products directly on their website.
3.) Brooklyn Grange
The Beehives that supply Brooklyn Grange reside in places like the Brooklyn Navy Yard. They’re also at rooftop farms in Queens, and on top of buildings in Long Island City. Using sustainable beekeeping practices, this apiary focuses on helping maintain and expand healthy bee populations. They also specialize in harvesting local honey for sale. You’ll find raw, unpasteurized, sustainable honey from Brooklyn Grange at weekly market stands like the McGolrick Market and the Brooklyn Grange Rooftop markets in Sunset Park and Long Island City.
If you really love local NYC honey, be sure to check out the NYC Honey Festival! This decade old event pairs beekeepers with beach time every September. Adding a taste of homegrown honey to your diet is a wonderful way to improve your health, help keep declining bee populations going, and to support small New York City businesses.
Editor’s Note: We updated this article to enhance readability.
