Beekeeping Business · 2026
How to Start Selling Honey Locally
You have more honey than your family can eat. Good — that's the goal. Here's how to turn your harvest into real income without a commercial kitchen, a business license nightmare, or ugly jar labels.
The Legal Part (It's Easier Than You Think)
Raw honey is classified as a cottage food in most U.S. states. This means you can produce and sell it from your home kitchen without a commercial food license, health department inspection, or food handler certification — up to a certain annual revenue limit.
Cottage Food Laws — What to Check
Revenue cap: Most states cap cottage food sales at $25,000–$75,000/year. A few have no cap. Check your state's specific limit — you're unlikely to hit it as a hobbyist, but it's good to know.
Where you can sell: Rules vary. Most states allow direct-to-consumer sales (farmers' markets, roadside, your front door). Some allow online sales with local delivery. Few allow wholesale to stores under cottage food laws — you may need a different license for that.
Labeling requirements: Nearly all states require specific information on your label (see below). Some require the statement "Made in a home kitchen not inspected by the Department of Health" or similar.
How to find your state's rules: Search "[your state] cottage food law" or check the Forrager cottage food law directory, which maintains an updated state-by-state guide.
What Goes on the Label
Even if your state has minimal requirements, professional labeling matters for sales. A jar with a clean, attractive label outsells unlabeled honey 3:1 at the same price. Here's what to include:
Required by most states:
✅ Product name ("Raw Honey" or "Local Wildflower Honey")
✅ Net weight in both ounces and grams
✅ Ingredient list ("Pure honey" — if it's pure, this is simple)
✅ Your name and address (or farm name and city/state)
✅ Any required cottage food disclaimer
Recommended for better sales:
✅ Floral source if known ("Sourwood Honey," "Clover Honey")
✅ Location/region ("Harvested in [County], [State]")
✅ "Raw & Unfiltered" if applicable (this is a selling point)
✅ Harvest year
Design your labels in Canva (free) and print on waterproof label stock, or order a small run (100–250) from a label printer like StickerMule or Avery. A professional-looking label costs $0.15–$0.30 each at scale and is the single biggest factor in perceived value.
See label paper →Packaging That Sells
Glass Hex Jars (Industry Standard)
BEST SELLERThe classic honey jar shape. Available in 8oz, 12oz, and 16oz sizes with gold or black lids. These look professional, stack well on shelves, and customers instantly recognize them as "real" local honey. The hex shape also prevents rolling. Buy in cases of 24 to save significantly on per-jar cost.
See hex jars →Honey Bears (Squeezable Plastic)
Kids love them. Adults find them charming. The squeezable bear format has lower perceived value than glass hex jars but is convenient for kitchen use and sells well in 12oz and 16oz sizes. The flip-top cap prevents dripping. Good as a secondary offering alongside your glass jars.
See honey bears →Mason Jars (Budget Option)
Quart and pint mason jars are cheap and available everywhere. They work fine for friends-and-family sales but look less professional at a farmers' market table. If you use them, add a cloth cover under the lid ring and a nice label — it upgrades the look significantly.
See mason jars →How to Price Your Honey
The #1 beginner mistake is pricing too low. You are not competing with the $8 grocery store honey from China — you're selling a local, raw, artisan product with a face and a story behind it. Price accordingly.
| Size | Farmers' Market Price | Per-Pound Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 8 oz jar | $7–$10 | $14–$20/lb |
| 12 oz jar | $10–$14 | $13–$19/lb |
| 1 lb (16 oz) jar | $12–$18 | $12–$18/lb |
| 2 lb (32 oz) jar | $20–$30 | $10–$15/lb |
Research your local market. Visit 2–3 farmers' markets in your area and note what other honey sellers charge. Price in the middle or slightly above if your packaging is nicer. Varietal honeys (sourwood, tupelo, orange blossom) command 20–40% premiums over wildflower.
Where to Sell (Ranked by Revenue Potential)
1. Farmers' markets — The best channel for volume and price. You meet customers face-to-face, tell your story, and build repeat buyers. Booth fees run $20–$50/day. Most vendors make $200–$800 per market day in honey sales.
2. Local shops and co-ops — Gift shops, health food stores, farm stands, and coffee shops love carrying local honey. Expect to wholesale at 60–70% of retail (you price at $12, they pay you $7–$8). Volume makes up for the margin cut.
3. Your front yard / roadside stand — Low effort, zero fees. Set up a small table with a cash box or Venmo QR code. Works especially well if you're on a well-trafficked road.
4. Online (local delivery or shipping) — Your own website, Facebook Marketplace, or Nextdoor. Shipping honey is expensive (it's heavy), so local delivery within a reasonable radius is more profitable.
5. Word of mouth — Don't underestimate this. Tell everyone you know you have honey for sale. Bring a jar to every social event. One jar given away strategically turns into 10 jars sold by referral.
🏷️ Honey Sales Starter Kit
~$83 in supplies sells $300+ in honey at market prices
Honey sales are just one revenue stream. See our 5 ways to make money beekeeping for the full picture, including pollination, wax products, and teaching.