The next time you buy groceries, consider adding a jar of local honey to the cart. Honey is a delicious, nutritious, natural sweetener that can be used in baking, in coffee or tea, or drizzled on yogurt or toast. Here are a few benefits of buying locally crafted honey.

The Benefits of Buying Local Honey

1. Quality & Safety

In recent years, there has been troubling news about honey from China adulterated with corn syrup or other contaminants. In fact, honey may be one of the world’s most faked foods. The American Beekeeper’s Association has worked to set stringent standards for honey so that consumers can be assured of what they’re purchasing. Local honey is pure and usually raw and unfiltered — offering the most health benefits from bee pollen, propolis, and naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. Likewise, local honey packs more nuanced, complex flavors than commercial honey.

2. Support Bees & Beekeepers

Bees are essential to life because they’re the pollinators that ensure our food can grow. The decline in bee populations in recent decades is an agricultural crisis. Local beekeepers strive to revitalize or establish new colonies of bees, and they’re often at the forefront of conversations about how to save these vital insects. Buying local honey with your groceries contributes to local bee populations.

3. Health Benefits

Studies show the benefits of raw, local honey over more commercially produced, pasteurized, and filtered products. Infants under 12 months old should not consume any honey because of the presence of certain bacteria that may cause infant botulism. To be safe, avoid any honey for your baby until they are over 1 year old, and talk to your doctor if you’re unsure. Otherwise, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal bee pollen has amino acids and vitamins A and C. Bee propolis — the “glue” that holds the honeycomb together — is anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-fungal. It also has B vitamins, vitamins C and E, and enzymes that aren’t present in filtered honey. Raw honey contains antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress and may be anti-cancer.

Adding local, raw honey to your groceries helps bees, supports local beekeepers, and may improve health. Pritzl's Trading Post, in Nekoosa, WI, provides groceries like honey, baked goods, and fresh meat to locals and tourists alike. They also sell hunting and fishing licenses and supplies and have a selection of basic garden tools. Call (715) 325-2281 to find out about burn permits or DNR licenses. Visit the website to explore daily specials.