Chicago Honey Co-Op, Essay Example

The Chicago Honey Co-Op was formed in the winter of 2004 by three very committed and passionate urban bee keepers. They have stated that their goal is “to provide training opportunities for the under employed on a small business model dedicated in sustainable agricultural practices” (Chicago Honey Co-op, 2010). The Co-op will be owned by its members and operate some 60 hives in urban Chicago.

The Apiary (bee hives) is located in North  Lawndale neighbourhood of West Chicago. Their aim is to reduce dependence on western and southern bee keepers by raising their own Queens. The Co-op does not produce purely honey but a range of other products that include items like beeswax candles, solid moisturising bar, lip balm and a fragrant honey sugar scrub.  Everyone in the Chicago area seems to love the honey co-op. Not only does it produce great tasting products but their range of goods are being widely distributed and accepted in the local farmers markets and restaurants in urban Chicago. The Co-op retails the honey at around $6 per bottle and whilst this is considered to be more expensive than its European counterparts it is getting many quality accolades from the Chicago residents.

The honey has now been included within the slow food movement “Slow Food members approached the co-op, hoping to host a community dinner at the bee farm.  Though the event was a success and he believed in the Slow Food message, Michael was not completely sold on Slow Food as an organization until he heard Carlo Petrini speak on one of his book tours” (Sinderson, 2010).  Michael Thompson, one of the original founders, was so inspired by the Slow Food movement that he attended a conference  called Terra Madre in Turin (2008) and there he met many farmers and friends who further inspired his work in Chicago “The Chicago Honey Co-op also hosts—to increasing demand—a couple of beekeeping workshops on their farm each year.  Those who attend these classes learn in detail the sustainable traditions that the co-op members practice”  (Sinderson, 2010). Michael was keen on spreading the message and helping the under employed people of Chicago in learning a new trade.

Mike Thompson is keen to talk about the success of the Chicago Honey Co-operative; he stated “Chicago Honey is small by honey production standards. This season, it expects to have 80 producing hives, while most honey producers rely on about 300 hives to support themselves financially.” (Henry, 2009).  An average hive produces about 40lbs of honey per season. Thompson stated  “We’ve had good years and we’ve had mediocre years” (Henry, 2009). Last year was not particularly good because they lost a number of hives and that decreased the production of honey but it is on the mend and the future looks brighter “As soon as they can get us more stock, I definitely think we’ll see sales,” said Cristeana Bastian, retail and operations manager for the store and café. Many of Bastian’s customers like the co-op’s honey because it fits with their ideas about socially responsible production and locally-grown products.” (Henry, 2009).

One of the part owners praised the socially responsible element of the co-op and providing opportunities for the un-employed and disadvantaged elements of society, particularly those that had been in Jail and were trying to make a comeback in Society. “Part owner Mark Ross said he was attracted by the co-op’s focus on job training, especially for recently incarcerated people. They received some workforce development aid from non-profits to teach the clients beekeeping and other types of agriculture.” (Henry, 2009).

Works Cited

Chicago Honey Co-op. (2010). Chicago Honey Co-op. Retrieved 10 14, 2010, from Chicago Honey Co-op: http://www.chicagohoneycoop.com/

Henry, K. M. (2009, 5 14). Chicago Honey Co-op buzzes on Chicago’s West Side. Retrieved 10 14, 2010, from Medill Reports: http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=129749

Sinderson, B. (2010, 3 18). The Slow Food USA Blog. Retrieved 10 14, 2010, from Slow Food USA: http://www.slowfoodusa.org/index.php/slow_food/blog_post/chicago_honey_co_op/