Local Vendor: Timberline Bees

By Leigha Staffenhagen

Not all honey is created equal. In fact, some of what’s sold as honey isn’t even honey at all.

In the 2019 Netflix documentary series Rotten, the world of honey crime is exposed—a massive underground network where suppliers pass off honey diluted with sugar syrup as the real deal. Not only is that a clear rip-off for consumers, but it’s damaging to small beekeepers, the environment, and the economics of the true cost of this liquid gold.

So, what can we do to support real honey, hardworking bees, and their dedicated keepers? You’ve heard us say it before: shop local! At the Co-op, you can rest assured that all of our honey is the real deal—our strict buying guidelines ensure we purchase only the best honey, harvested in sustainable ways. And you can bet that we have a few local options to choose from, including Timberline Bees of Granite Falls, Washington.

Family-owned for over 20 years, Timberline Bees produces pure, raw honey and bee products straight from their hives to your table. Originally a passion project of her father’s, Shelly Husby, along with her husband Chris, have proudly taken on the legacy of Timberline Bees, stewarding the hives, the honey, and the heritage that has been built over many years. Shelly and Chris believe in sustainable, responsible beekeeping, prioritizing the health of their bees above all else.

Their bees pollinate local farms, orchards, and wildflowers, making for raw honey with notes of blackberries, maple, and florals, depending on the time of year. An important detail to note is that, unlike pasteurized honey, raw honey crystallizes over time—a totally normal process that doesn’t signify a decrease in quality or spoilage, but that the honey is pure and unfiltered, just as the bees intended it! If you prefer your honey to be liquid, it’s as simple as placing your honey jar in a warm water bath.

Along with honey, Timberline Bees also harvests fresh bee pollen, a nutrient-dense food that can be added to yogurt, tossed in a smoothie, or just eaten by the spoonful. Bee pollen is often touted as a superfood due to the vitamins, proteins, and minerals it contains, and is used by many to boost their immune system during the cold season. Not to mention, it’s just tasty with a nice crunchy texture. Just as the Husbys utilize sustainable practices to harvest their raw honey, the same is true for the bee pollen. When harvesting bee pollen for human consumption, Timberline always takes just a small share of the extra pollen, leaving plenty for the bees, who use the pollen to feed their baby bees. Fun fact: beekeepers call the pollen “bee bread” as it’s their protein source.

Whether it’s swirled in your morning coffee, baked into something special, or drizzled on everything from yogurt to toast, next time you need some of the sweet stuff, buzz into the Co-op to pick up a jar or two, or head to the Bulk Department to fill your own mason jar with Timberline Bees local honey. You’ll find the bee bread in the Wellness Department.