Chicago - August 28, 2007

Bee’s Knees

Chicago Honey Co-op

The fitness regime, day job, freelance work, and after-hour events have you flapping your wings like one busy bee.

But you feel like you’ve hit the honey pot when you make time to give back.

Start by shopping the Chicago Honey Co-op, an urban apiary that churns out bundles of gooey goods while providing job opportunities for the underemployed.

The West Side bee farm houses about 80 chemical-free hives that produce organic products like one-pound honey jars, moisturizing bars, lip balm, and a honey-sugar body scrub that’ll take the sting out of your normal beauty routine.

Staff is mentored — from bee keeping and selling at farmers’ markets to learning the ins and outs of sustainable agriculture — with the goal of making employees official co-op members. Profits are recycled back into the company.

And while you’re at it, help them spread the pollen: Order online and let the Co-op send gift packages on your behalf.

And enjoy the good buzz.

Chicago Honey Co-op (chicagohoneycoop.com).