55 gallon drums of honey wanted

[Mason]

Hello,

I have a friend that has a medium size BBQ sauce business and is looking for 55 gallon drums of pasteurized honey.  His annual consumption is in the neighborhood of about 150 to 200 gallons per year.  The honey would have to be delivered to a metro Atlanta Georgia location.

Anyone?

Mason

[thegolfpsycho]

How much per pound is your friend offering?  Be aware that most of us are hobbyists on this site, and those of us that do sell honey, do so at a premium.  Most here don't come close to 200 gallons harvested per year, and even fewer pastuerize their honey.  I only mention this because a coworker took some of my honey to a family owned bakery.  They were interested in several drums, at around a buck a pound.   I do much better selling pints/quarts/gallons, and it stays a hobby.  If I don't feel like extracting, or bottling, I don't have to.

[hardwood]

I've got you covered! However, the honey isn't pasteurized and the shipping would be an extra. PM me if you're interested. I do know a honey packer but I'm not so sure he pasteurizes...I'm sure he knows who can though.

Scott

[fish_stix]

Hardwood; you might check but I'm pretty sure Florida's recent "Honey Law" is not going to allow pasteurization. Pasteurization of honey is only required when honey is diluted, which is a big "no no" under the new law. So, if Mason's friend wants FL honey he's going to have to buy the real stuff.  :-D

[hardwood]

Thanks for that info fish...hadn't even thought of that! :)

Scott

[Mason]

He did specifically request pasteurized.  Almost all of the honey you buy at Kroger or any major grocery store is pasteurized.  It is likely that it has to be pasteurized for an FDA requirement.

I found a commercial beek here that I know but just thought it was worth a post to ask. 

[Mason]

I learned some things on this.

If you are marketing a product out of state or nationally you to meet FDA requirements which includes sending samples of your product in for content testing.  FDA requires all honey ingredients be pasteurized.  Here in GA if you just want to sell your products locally all you need is authorization from the Georgia Department of Agriculture which basically just checks your processing facility to be sanitary and correct labels.

I was able to locate a local beek that could meet this demand however unable to find a single honey pasteurizer in the state of Georgia.  Bulk honey is sold at table grade or bakery grade at market price.  Currently table grade market price is "high" at $1.50 per pound.  Turns out these guys are using 600lbs of honey every 3-4 weeks.  The most important thing I learned is that I am a far better salesman than beekeeper. 

[AllenF]

I wouldn't mind to find a couple of 60 pound pails at 1.50 a pound.

[Mason]

$1.50 per lb is bulk market price, 55 gallon drums 600lbs not 60lbs.

[hardwood]

Right now we're at $1.60/lb for drums and 2.00 for buckets (orange blossom and gallberry).

Scott