Cooperative of Chicago urban beekeepers.

The Beekeeper's Story

Founded in the winter of 2004 by three urban beekeepers, Chicago Honey Co-op began as a job training program and has since evolved into a community-rooted cooperative with about 19 members — some beekeepers, others simply supporters of the mission. The co-op tends hives across several Chicago apiaries, including rooftop hives at Christy Webber Landscaping, 12 hives in Back of the Yards near 51st and Racine, and hives at Patchwork Farms on West Chicago Avenue. Their bees forage on white sweet clover, basswood, wild aster, and goldenrod, producing intensely-flavored raw honey. In 2010, their honey earned Certified Naturally Grown status. In 2011, they launched the Chicago Honey Co-op Training Center, a 501(c)(3) partner focused on beekeeping education in underserved communities. The co-op sells at Green City Market and Logan Square Farmers Market each summer and fall, and also ships products online.