What’s sweeter than buying local North Fork honey?
While the long, cold spring has delayed honey production a bit, the first batches are expected to arrive at local farm stands and stores by June.
Here are five spots on the North Fork that produce and sell their own honey:
This family owned and operated farm sells its own honey in eight and 16 ounce jars, but prices can vary.
“Sometimes we fluctuate depending on our supply of honey,” Denise Andrews said.
Andrews Family Farm is located at 1038 Sound Avenue in Wading River. It is open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information call (631) 929-5963.
Owner Laura Klahre uses her honey for various projects, including making candles, lip balm, beeswax crayons and figurines.
“The honey that I’ll portion for the store is going to be in two-ounce honey bears,” Klahre said.
Those honey bears cost $3.75 and will be available in July.
Blossom Meadow Farm Honey is sold at Coffee Pot Cellars tasting room, located at 31855 Main Road in Cutchogue. It is open Friday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information call (631) 905-9780.
This lavender farm is a must-see experience and the lavender honey is a must try as well.
The farm sells two types of honey, regular and lavender. The regular honey will be available in mid-June, according to owner and beekeeper Serge Rozenbaum.
“The spring honey will be ready in two to three weeks,” Rozenbaum said. “It is sweet, light and very delicious.”
The lavender honey won’t be available until the end of July, because lavender doesn’t bloom until late June. The regular honey costs $10 for an 8 ounce jar, while the lavender honey will cost $12.
Lavender By the Bay is located at 7540 Main Road in East Marion. It is open Friday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call (631) 477-1019.
Owner and beekeeper Lisa Caracciolo keeps some hives on the farm and some at her home in Mattituck.
“I’ve been stung many times, but it’s a great hobby,” she said. “We feed the bees in the early spring and heavily in the fall.”
She sells her honey in four-ounce jars for $6.50 and eight-ounce jars for $14. She also make a honey butter that comes in flavors like cinnamon, salted and plain.
North Breeze Farms honey is sold at Shade Trees Nursery at 1875 Main Road in Jamesport. It is open everyday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call (631) 722-4041.
Mattituck beekeeper and entomologist Chris Kelly is getting ready to sell his own honey.
“I call it wildflower honey largely because the bees feed on different types of flowers,” Kelly said. “Then in mid-summer it tends to be predominantly clover.”
Kelly’s honey sells at $8 for an eight-ounce jar and $15 for a 16-ounce jar. His honey will be available by early June at Fink’s Country Farm and Wells Homestead.
Fink’s is located at 6242 Middle Country Road in Wading River. It is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call (631) 886-2272.
Wells Homestead is located at 460 Main Road in Aquebogue. It is open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information call (631) 722-3796.
Remember these dates are approximate and it is always best to call ahead.