All Things BendBend, OregonLocal guide

Bend & Central Oregon · checked October 23, 2026

Where to Get Fresh, Local Honey in Bend, OR

Bend wildflower and buckwheat honey from hives in town, Sisters Country honey from a bee ranch, raw jars from Smith Rock to the Ochocos. Every beekeeper, farm stand, shop and market selling local honey in Bend, Redmond, Sisters, Sunriver, La Pine, Prineville, Madras, Terrebonne and Tumalo, with posted prices and hours.

By All Things Bend · Updated October 23, 2026 · Each seller checked on its own site or stockist list

Find honey near youCompare prices
  • 10local beekeepers & farms
  • 9towns covered
  • 9markets & honey events
A honeybee with full pollen baskets working the yellow blossoms of rubber rabbitbrush, a fall-blooming high-desert shrub
A honeybee on rabbitbrush, which blooms across Central Oregon’s high desert in late summer. Photo: Christopher Gezon, NPS (public domain).

Why choose local honey?

Honey tastes like the flowers it came from, so Central Oregon honey is its own thing: clover and alfalfa from irrigated fields, wildflowers from the Cascade foothills, buckwheat, lavender and late rabbitbrush. Buying it straight from the beekeeper also keeps local hives going, and they pollinate the farms and gardens around you.

  • Flavor and freshness. Small-batch jars are usually bottled within months of harvest, often only lightly strained.
  • You know where it’s from. Ask the beekeeper which hives, which year and which bloom. Some Bend labels also sell honey made elsewhere in Oregon.
  • Local farms benefit. Bees forage up to about 5 miles from the hive; Lazy Z Ranch notes that all of Sisters is within reach of theirs.
  • About allergies: a 2002 clinical trial found local raw honey didn’t ease allergy symptoms any better than flavored corn syrup. Buy it because it’s good, not as medicine. More in the FAQ.
Stacked white and blue beehive boxes at the edge of a bright yellow canola field under a cloudy sky
Hives working a canola field. Photo: Ian Sane, Oregon (CC BY 2.0).

Why shop local for honey?

Big-brand supermarket honey is often blended from many sources, sometimes several countries, and is commonly heated and filtered so it stays liquid on the shelf. A local jar is one beekeeper’s crop from one area and season, and the money goes to someone keeping bees here.

Find local honey near you

Pick a town, a way to buy, or both. The list shows every match, and each name jumps to the full details.

Town
How you want to buy

Showing all 30 places.

Central Oregon beekeepers compared

Who keeps the bees, where the hives are, what they make and the biggest jar’s posted price. For per-pound math: Broadus Bees’ 48-oz Bend Wildflower is $12/lb, Brittany’s 3-lb jar $13.33/lb, Prescott’s 24-oz jar $9.33/lb before shipping, and Lazy Z’s 1-lb jar $32.

ProducerTownHoneyHivesPosted price
Broadus BeesBeekeeperBend + shops region-wideBend wildflower, buckwheat; clover & blueberry from Medford; infusedBend hives (some Medford)$36 / 48 oz
Prescott Honey FarmsBeekeeperRedmondCentral Oregon desert honey, PNW wildflower, creamedCentral Oregon apiaries (Redmond yard)$14 / 24 oz
Lazy Z RanchBeekeeperSistersSisters wildflower; meadRanch hives, Sisters$32 / 1 lb
DD RanchFarm standTerrebonne, Madras & CulverRaw local honeyMadras, Terrebonne, Culver hivesAsk
Brittany’s BeesBeekeeperBend + shops region-wideEastern Oregon wildflowerWheeler County ranches$40 / 3 lb
The Royal BeeBeekeeperBendSeasonal wildflowerCentral Oregon hives$28 / qt (2023)
Root Down AcresFarm standBendFarm surplus honeyFarm apiary, east BendAsk
The Broken Plow MicrofarmFarm standBendFarm honeyNortheast BendAsk
Windy Acres Dairy FarmFarm standPrinevilleRaw honey, some infusedPrineville farmCall
Paradise ProduceFarm standMadras & CulverLocal raw honeyMadras areaAsk
  • Broadus Bees
    Price
    $36 / 48 oz
    Type
    Beekeeper
    Honey
    Bend wildflower, buckwheat; clover & blueberry from Medford; infused
    Hives
    Bend hives (some Medford)
  • Prescott Honey Farms
    Price
    $14 / 24 oz
    Type
    Beekeeper
    Honey
    Central Oregon desert honey, PNW wildflower, creamed
    Hives
    Central Oregon apiaries (Redmond yard)
  • Lazy Z Ranch
    Price
    $32 / 1 lb
    Type
    Beekeeper
    Honey
    Sisters wildflower; mead
    Hives
    Ranch hives, Sisters
  • DD Ranch
    Price
    Ask
    Type
    Farm stand
    Honey
    Raw local honey
    Hives
    Madras, Terrebonne, Culver hives
  • Brittany’s Bees
    Price
    $40 / 3 lb
    Type
    Beekeeper
    Honey
    Eastern Oregon wildflower
    Hives
    Wheeler County ranches
  • The Royal Bee
    Price
    $28 / qt (2023)
    Type
    Beekeeper
    Honey
    Seasonal wildflower
    Hives
    Central Oregon hives
  • Root Down Acres
    Price
    Ask
    Type
    Farm stand
    Honey
    Farm surplus honey
    Hives
    Farm apiary, east Bend
  • The Broken Plow Microfarm
    Price
    Ask
    Type
    Farm stand
    Honey
    Farm honey
    Hives
    Northeast Bend
  • Windy Acres Dairy Farm
    Price
    Call
    Type
    Farm stand
    Honey
    Raw honey, some infused
    Hives
    Prineville farm
  • Paradise Produce
    Price
    Ask
    Type
    Farm stand
    Honey
    Local raw honey
    Hives
    Madras area

Top places to buy local honey: beekeepers and farms

These are the people with the hives. Beekeepers first, then small farms with their own bees.

Straight from a beekeeper · Southeast Bend (no storefront)

Broadus Bees

Bend’s best-known honey label. Beekeeper James Broadus Wilkie V (“Jimmy”) keeps Russian honeybees in Bend and sells raw honey, pollen, wax and propolis, plus hive installs, inspections and swarm removal.

The honey
Bend Wildflower (mountain wildflowers) and High Desert Buckwheat (from a buckwheat cover crop in Bend) come from his Bend hives, as does the bee pollen. His Raw White Clover (sold whipped) and Oregon Blueberry are harvested in Medford. Infused ginger, turmeric, jalapeño and vanilla honey too.
How to buy
Order online for local Bend delivery, or pick up a jar at 30+ shops (listed by town below). He sold at the Sisters Farmers Market in 2026 and is on the Nov. 7 Fill Your Pantry vendor list with honeycomb.
When
Year-round online and in stores.

Posted prices

  • Bend Wildflower: $13 (12 oz), $19 (24 oz), $36 (48 oz)
  • High Desert Buckwheat: $13, $19, $37
  • Raw White Clover (Medford): $13, $21, $39
  • Infused honey: $16, $27, $42
  • Bend bee pollen: $18 (5 oz), $29 (10 oz)
  • Beeswax block, 1 lb: $14
WebsiteCall 541-480-9632Email

Checked October 23, 2026: Shop & prices · Retailers · About · Fill Your Pantry listing · HDFFA 2026

Straight from a beekeeper · Redmond yard; bottling in Lebanon, Ore.

Prescott Honey Farms

A family beekeeping business that grew from one swarm in 2006 to several thousand hives that pollinate crops across the Northwest. Its Central Oregon yard on SW Salmon Ave in Redmond runs many of its high-desert apiaries.

The honey
“Local Central Oregon Honey” is made only by its bees in Central Oregon: amber, with flavors from desert plants. Its Pacific Northwest Honey comes from the Cascade foothills on the west side (scotch broom, blackberry, fireweed, dandelion). Raw, unfiltered and unpasteurized, bottled by hand.
How to buy
Order online (ships in about a week to the continental U.S.). Both farms are working farms and take visits by appointment only.
When
Year-round online.

Posted prices

  • Local Central Oregon Honey: $14 (24 oz)
  • Pacific Northwest Honey: $14 (24 oz)
  • Creamed honey: $9 (12 oz)
  • Beeswax, 1 lb: $10
WebsiteCall 541-771-7888

Checked October 23, 2026: Shop & prices · Our story & locations · Contact & FAQ

Straight from a beekeeper · 68540 E Hwy 20, Sisters

Lazy Z Ranch

A regenerative “bee ranch” and meadery on the historic Lazy Z, with a tasting room that opened in 2025. It sells estate honey, mead made from its own honey, spring nucs and free swarm pickup around Sisters.

The honey
Raw, unfiltered Sisters Country wildflower honey from lavender, sunflowers, phacelia, alfalfa, seven kinds of clover, berries and more. All of Sisters is within 4 miles of the hives.
How to buy
The 2025 crop is sold out online but still sold in the tasting room. Most honey is pre-sold to “Bee Team” members, who get jars when the crop comes in each late summer or early fall.
When
Tasting room Thursday–Sunday, noon–9 p.m. Ranch and meadery tours $20 a person (2-person minimum).

Posted prices

  • Online (when in stock): $10 (4 oz), $18 (8 oz), $32 (1 lb)
  • Bee Team: $30, $56 or $100 billed every 4 months for 3, 6 or 12 one-pound jars a year
  • Mead from $32 a bottle
  • 2027 nuc: $230 ($115 deposit)
WebsiteCall 541-588-5299Email

Checked October 23, 2026: Bees & honey · Farm store & Bee Team · Hours & tours · HDFFA 2026

Farm stands & ranches · 3836 NE Smith Rock Way, Terrebonne

DD Ranch

A family ranch near Smith Rock known for beef, lamb, pork and its October pumpkin patch. Its honey comes from hives around Madras, Terrebonne and Culver.

The honey
One product: raw local honey in half-pint, pint and quart jars. The ranch says it is never filtered or altered. (Its page reads “ever pasteurized,” which looks like a typo for “never”; ask Linda if it matters to you.)
How to buy
Ranch store, the DD Ranch online shop (pickup or delivery), its year-round CSA, and in season at the Bend (Wednesdays, May–Sept.), Redmond and Sisters markets. On the Fill Your Pantry vendor list for Nov. 7.
When
Pumpkin-patch hours through Oct. 31, 2026: Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. After that the store is by appointment: call, text or email.

Posted prices

Not posted publicly; the online shop shows prices after you pick a pickup or delivery option.

WebsiteCall 541-548-1432Email

Checked October 23, 2026: Eggs & honey · Pumpkin patch hours · HDFFA 2026

Straight from a beekeeper · Mitchell (Wheeler County), east of Prineville

Brittany’s Bees

Brittany started with 10 hives in 2019 and now runs close to 400 colonies from Wheeler County, in the Ochocos and John Day Basin. She bottles every jar and makes beeswax candles by hand.

The honey
Pure wildflower honey from bees that summer on Eastern Oregon ranches (they pollinate California orchards in early spring). Extracted at the end of the high-desert season.
How to buy
Online, or at shops in Bend, Sisters, Redmond, Powell Butte and Prineville (listed by town below).
When
Year-round online and in stores.

Posted prices

  • Wildflower: $12 (9 oz), $19 (1.1 lb), $40 (3 lb)
  • Mini jar with dipper: $5.50
  • Beeswax, 1 lb: $19
WebsiteCall 541-264-0422Email

Checked October 23, 2026: Shop & prices · Where to find it · About · HDFFA 2026

Straight from a beekeeper · Central Oregon (Bend mailing address)

The Royal Bee

Beekeeper Emily sells spring nucs, hive setups and supplies, beeswax candles and soap, does hive checks, and removes swarms for free.

The honey
Seasonal wildflower honey that changes crop to crop. Her site shows a knapweed wildflower honey.
How to buy
Contact her to buy direct; she says the honey is also in local stores and farm stands but doesn’t name them.
When
Honey whenever she has it; nucs are pre-ordered in February–March for April–May pickup.

Posted prices

  • Last posted: $28 for a 32-oz quart (2023 crop). Ask for this year’s price.
WebsiteCall 510-684-5665Email

Checked October 23, 2026: The Royal Bee · COBKA supplier list

Farm stands & ranches · 22222 Erickson Rd, east Bend

Root Down Acres

A family farm on a restored 1880 homestead with a seasonal self-serve stand. Its apiary sits in the perennial garden under the fruit trees.

The honey
“Robust” small-batch honey, sold in quarts, pints and half-pints. The farm leaves most honey for the bees to get through winter and sells only the surplus.
How to buy
Email to get on the honey list: it sells out every year. The stand also carries its eggs, produce and lamb.
When
Seasonal stand; check Instagram for current hours and stock.

Posted prices

Not posted online.

WebsiteEmail

Checked October 23, 2026: Products · HDFFA 2026

Farm stands & ranches · 62860 Eagle Rd, northeast Bend

The Broken Plow Microfarm

A microfarm raising produce, pastured poultry, eggs and honey, with a small self-serve farmstand.

The honey
Its own honey, listed in the 2026 HDFFA Local Food Guide.
How to buy
Self-serve stand. Bring your own bags.
When
Seasonal. No working website when we checked, so treat it as a bonus stop.

Posted prices

Not posted online.

HDFFA listing

Checked October 23, 2026: HDFFA 2026

Farm stands & ranches · 3320 NW Stahancyk Ln, Prineville

Windy Acres Dairy Farm

A grass-fed raw-milk dairy (herdshare) that also sells meat, eggs, sourdough and farmhouse goods.

The honey
“Several varieties of raw and unpasteurized honey,” plus infused honeys at times during the year.
How to buy
Call owner Billie Johnson for pricing and to set up a farm visit.
When
By appointment.

Posted prices

Call for pricing.

WebsiteCall 541-613-5239

Checked October 23, 2026: Windy Acres · FAQ: other products

Farm stands & ranches · 6651 N Adams Dr, Madras

Paradise Produce

A pesticide-free vegetable farm with a self-serve, honor-system store and a CSA.

The honey
Local raw honey, along with cage-free eggs, canned goods and starts (per its 2026 HDFFA listing).
How to buy
Honor-system farm stand; bring cash or check.
When
Growing season. No website, so expect stock to vary.

Posted prices

Not posted online.

HDFFA listing

Checked October 23, 2026: HDFFA 2026

A beekeeper in gloves lifts a wooden frame of capped golden honeycomb out of a hive box
Pulling a frame of capped honey for extraction. Photo: Lance Cheung, USDA (public domain).

Shops and online markets that stock local honey

Every shop here is named by a beekeeper on their own stockist list or by its 2026 HDFFA Local Food Guide listing. Shelves change, so call if you want a particular jar.

Grocery stores and markets

Shop · Bend

Central Oregon Locavore

1841 NE 3rd St, Bend

Honey: Broadus Bees lists Locavore as a stockist, and DD Ranch uses it as a CSA drop site. Other local jars rotate.

Hours: Open daily, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.

Walk in. Takes SNAP (with Double Up Food Bucks) and Farm Direct vouchers.

Website · 541-633-7388

Source: Locavore · Broadus retailer list

Shop · Bend

Local Acres Marketplace

63455 N Hwy 97, Bend

Honey: Brittany’s Bees lists it as a stockist; Broadus Bees lists the same address.

Hours: Regular grocery hours.

Walk in. Takes SNAP.

Website · 541-388-2100

Source: Brittany’s stockists · HDFFA 2026

Shop · Redmond

Schoolhouse Produce

1430 SW Highland Ave, Redmond

Honey: Both Broadus Bees and Brittany’s Bees list it as a stockist.

Hours: Regular store hours.

Walk in. Takes SNAP, WIC, Double Up and Farm Direct.

Website

Source: Broadus retailers · Brittany’s stockists · HDFFA 2026

Shop · Redmond

The Ranch Market

695 SW Helmholtz Way, Redmond (Old Reindeer Ranch)

Honey: Brittany’s Bees lists it as a stockist, and its HDFFA listing includes honey.

Hours: Year-round: Thursday and Friday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Walk in. Takes SNAP.

Website · 541-420-0879

Source: Hours · Brittany’s stockists

Shop · Sisters

The Stand (Mahonia Gardens)

254 E Adams Ave, Sisters

Honey: Broadus Bees lists it as a stockist, and its HDFFA listing names honey.

Hours: Daily, 9 a.m.–7 p.m., May 1–Oct. 31. Its 2026 season ends next week; it reopens in May.

Walk in. Takes SNAP, WIC, Double Up and Farm Direct.

Website · 541-420-8684

Source: Hours · Broadus retailers

Shop · Sisters & Terrebonne

Oliver Lemon’s

160 Fir St, Sisters · 8431 11th St, Terrebonne

Honey: Broadus Bees lists the Sisters store as a stockist; the HDFFA guide lists honey at both stores.

Hours: Regular grocery hours.

Walk in. Takes SNAP and Double Up.

Website

Source: Broadus retailers · HDFFA 2026

Shop · Tumalo

Tumalo Farmstand & Market

19885 7th St, Tumalo

Honey: Its 2026 HDFFA listing includes honey. Call ahead if you’re driving out just for a jar.

Hours: Open daily, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Walk in. Takes SNAP and Farm Direct.

Website · 541-948-7118

Source: Hours · HDFFA 2026

Shop · La Pine

Vegetable Man of La Pine

51530 Hwy 97, La Pine

Honey: Broadus Bees lists it as a stockist (and the Vegetable Man stand at 61490 S Hwy 97 in Bend). Its HDFFA listing includes honey.

Hours: Seasonal. Call first, especially after October.

Walk in. Takes SNAP, WIC and Farm Direct.

HDFFA listing · 541-907-6369

Source: Broadus retailers · HDFFA 2026

Online · Delivers region-wide

Agricultural Connections

Online market; warehouse in northeast Bend

Honey: Broadus Bees lists Ag Connections as a retailer, and its HDFFA listing includes honey.

How it works: Shop Thursday through Sunday. Pickups Wednesday (NE Bend warehouse) or Thursday (Old Iron Works, Austin Mercantile, COCC, Sunriver’s Century Commons, Slow Down State Coffee in Sisters, Arome in Redmond). Thursday home delivery in Bend, Redmond, Sisters, Sunriver and La Pine.

Website

Source: How it works · Broadus retailers

Farmers markets with local honey

Markets are the best place to taste before you buy and to ask a beekeeper about their hives. Most of the region’s markets have closed for 2026, but two November markets are coming up.

  • Bend Farmers Market

    Wednesdays, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. · Brooks Alley, downtown Bend

    2026 season ended Oct. 7. Back Wednesday, May 5, 2027. DD Ranch sells raw honey here every Wednesday, May–September.

    Market info

  • NW Crossing Farmers Market

    Saturdays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. · NW Crossing Dr, Bend

    2027 season: May 29–Sept. 25. Honey is on its HDFFA product list.

    Market info

  • Redmond Farmers Market

    Fridays, 3–7 p.m. · Centennial Park, Redmond

    May–August. DD Ranch comes on select Fridays.

    Market info

  • Sisters Farmers Market

    Sundays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. · Fir Street Park, Sisters

    June–October. Broadus Bees is on its 2026 vendor list; DD Ranch comes on select Sundays.

    Market info

  • CROP Farmers Market

    Saturdays, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. · Stryker Park, Prineville

    June–September. Winter Market: Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Grizzly Pavilion at the Crook County Fairgrounds. Honey is on its HDFFA product list.

    Market info

  • Madras Saturday Market

    Summer Saturdays · 99 SE 7th St, Madras

    Running since 2004; takes EBT, WIC and Double Up. Honey is on its HDFFA product list.

    Market info

  • Sunriver Saturday Market

    Last Saturday of the month, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. · Sunriver (Chamber of Commerce)

    May–September. Honey is on its HDFFA product list.

    Market info

  • Market Day La Pine

    Once a month in season · 16405 1st St, La Pine

    South county’s farmers and makers market, 30+ vendors. Honey is on its HDFFA product list.

    Market info

  • Central Oregon Fill Your Pantry

    Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. · Deschutes County Fairgrounds (OSU Extension lot), Redmond

    One-day bulk-buying market to stock up for winter. Preorders open on its site. Broadus Bees (honey, honeycomb, pollen) and DD Ranch are both on the 2026 vendor list.

    Market info
Shelves of amber honey jars with handwritten labels at a farmers market stall
A honey stall at a farmers market. Photo: Holly (CC BY 2.0).

Local honey by town

Where to go in each Central Oregon town, from the hives to the shelves.

Bend

The most choice: Broadus Bees’ hives in town, small-farm honey on the east side, and local jars in 20+ shops.

Other places to find local honey in Bend

Broadus Bees is also at The Workhouse, West Coast Provisions, Kara’s Kitchenware, Oregon Spirit Distillers, Lone Pine Coffee Roasters, the High Desert Museum gift shop, The Pantry, The Feather’s Edge, Grocery Outlet (SE 3rd), The Meat Locker, Schilling’s Garden Market, The Bend Store, The Peoples Apothecary, The General Store 1326, Waypoint Hotel, Sebastian’s Seafood and Bend South Liquor. HDFFA also lists honey at Wild Petals Provisions and Farewell Market.

Redmond

Prescott Honey Farms bases many of its high-desert apiaries at a Redmond yard. Shop the Ranch Market or Schoolhouse Produce, or stock up at Fill Your Pantry on Nov. 7.

Also on local shelves

Broadus Bees: SCP Hotel. HDFFA lists honey at Arome (432 SW 6th St).

Our Redmond guide →

Prineville

Brittany’s Bees (Mitchell, in the Ochocos) is on Prineville shelves, and Windy Acres Dairy sells raw honey from the farm by appointment.

Also on local shelves

Brittany’s Bees: Prineville Produce, Nature’s Bounty and Rick Steber Makers; Fisher’s Red Rock Meat Co. in Powell Butte.

Madras & Culver

DD Ranch keeps hives around Madras and Culver. Paradise Produce has an honor-system stand with local raw honey.

Also on local shelves

Broadus Bees: Green Drive Mercantile and Welcome Home Coffee Shop (Madras/Culver). HDFFA lists honey at Madras Garden Depot (1665 NW Hwy 26).

Terrebonne

DD Ranch’s store sits on Smith Rock Way, and Oliver Lemon’s Terrebonne carries local honey.

Central Oregon honey varieties and the honey season

The jars sold here, by what the bees were working. Only claim a single flower when the beekeeper does; most local honey is honestly labeled “wildflower.”

Bend wildflower
Mountain and high-desert wildflowers around Bend; classic sweet honey flavor. Broadus Bees.
High desert buckwheat
From a buckwheat cover crop in Bend: dark, less sweet, molasses-like. Great for baking. Broadus Bees.
Sisters Country wildflower
Lavender, sunflower, phacelia, alfalfa and seven clovers on and around the Lazy Z. Lazy Z Ranch.
Central Oregon desert honey
Amber, from high-desert plants. Prescott Honey Farms.
Eastern Oregon wildflower
From bees summering on ranches in the Ochocos and John Day Basin. Brittany’s Bees.
Knapweed wildflower
A late-summer crop that changes year to year. The Royal Bee.
Creamed or whipped
Crystallized on purpose to a spreadable texture. Prescott, Broadus (its clover is whipped).
Rows of white wooden beehives on open ground in an early-1900s Oregon alfalfa district
An apiary in an Oregon alfalfa region, early 1900s; alfalfa and clover are still big nectar sources east of the Cascades. Photo: OSU Special Collections & Archives (no known restrictions).

Season calendar: hives and honey, month by month

Bees here get a short season between late spring frosts and early fall freezes. Darker cells mean more fresh honey for sale.

  1. JanBees cluster for warmth; no flying on cold days.Shops, Locavore and online. Jars may be crystallized.
  2. FebQueens start laying again.Shops and online. Get on spring nuc lists now.
  3. MarFirst pollen from willows and early bloom on warm days.Shops and online. Nuc orders close.
  4. AprColonies build up fast; new bees and hives go in.Last of the previous crop.
  5. MaySwarm season starts. Fruit trees and dandelions bloom.Bend (May 5, 2027) and Redmond markets open.
  6. JunSwarms continue; clover and alfalfa start.Sisters, NWX, CROP and Sunriver markets open.
  7. JulMain nectar flow: clover, alfalfa, lavender, wildflowers.Every market running. Ask about early jars.
  8. AugMany local beekeepers pull honey supers the second week of August.Fresh new-crop honey starts to appear.
  9. SepRabbitbrush blooms; winter prep and mite treatment.Best month for new-crop jars. Lazy Z’s Bee Team honey goes out in late summer or early fall.
  10. OctColonies shrink to winter bees.Last market days; The Stand in Sisters closes Oct. 31.
  11. NovHives wrapped for winter.Fill Your Pantry (Nov. 7), CROP Winter Market (Nov. 14).
  12. DecBees rest in the cluster.Gift jars and comb at shops; holiday markets.

Harvest timing from the Central Oregon Beekeepers Association’s August 2026 apiary notes; market dates from each market. Bloom timing shifts with elevation: Sisters and La Pine run later than Redmond and Madras.

Raw vs. processed honey

The FDA defines “honey,” but not “raw.” That word is the beekeeper’s promise, so ask what they mean by it.

Raw (most local jars)Processed (most supermarket honey)
HeatNot heated past hive temperature, or only gently warmed to bottleHeated to keep it liquid and slow crystallizing
StrainingStrained of wax bits; pollen stays inOften finely filtered, which removes most pollen
LooksCan be cloudy, flecked, or set solidClear and uniform
CrystallizingSooner, especially in a cold pantryLater
SourceOne beekeeper, area and seasonOften blended from many sources

Prescott Honey Farms, for one, defines raw as never heated above natural hive temperatures and unfiltered as not straining out the fine pollen and propolis. DD Ranch says its honey is never filtered or altered.

Crystallized isn’t spoiled. All honey can set; raw honey does it faster. Warm the jar in a pan of warm water and stir, or spread it as is. Infants: no honey of any kind before 12 months; the CDC warns it can cause infant botulism.

A plastic jar of dark honey beside a spoonful of set, crystallized honey, with a magnified inset of the sugar crystals
Crystallized honey, with a 50x close-up of the crystals. Photo: Zaereth (CC0).

Tips for buying local honey

  1. Read where it was made, not just where it was bottled. A Bend label can hold honey from elsewhere: Broadus Bees is upfront that its clover and blueberry come from Medford, and Prescott’s Pacific Northwest jar is west-side honey.
  2. Ask about the hives. Where are they, what was blooming, and is this year’s crop? Beekeepers love this question.
  3. Check the label basics. Oregon farm-direct honey must list the name, net weight, ingredients and the producer’s full address. A blend with sugar or syrup can’t be called just “honey.”
  4. Buy big if you like it. Quarts and 3-lb jars are the cheapest per pound (Broadus’ 48-oz Bend Wildflower works out to $12/lb vs. $17.33/lb for the 12-oz jar).
  5. Taste at a market. Flavor swings a lot between buckwheat, clover and wildflower crops.
  6. Get on a list early. Root Down Acres sells out every year; Lazy Z pre-sells most of its crop to its Bee Team.
  7. Bring your jar back. Many small beekeepers reuse clean glass jars; ask.

Oregon rules for selling honey: cottage food, Farm Direct and labels

For hobby beekeepers wondering whether they can sell their extra jars, and for shoppers wondering what a label should say. This is a summary of ODA’s published guidance, not legal advice; your local ODA food safety inspector has the final word.

No license for plain honey sold direct

Oregon’s Farm Direct Marketing rules (OAR 603-025-0215 to -0275) exempt producers from ODA licensing when they sell agricultural products they grow, including honey with no additives, directly to the end consumer. Consignment between farm-direct marketers in the same or adjoining counties is allowed.

Hive counts

Retail honey extractors who own their hives can have an unlimited number of hives if they sell only to consumers. Wholesale extractors who own 20 or fewer hives and extract only their own honey are treated as hobbyists and are exempt; ODA has a Honey Processors Exemption Form for this.

What the label needs

  • Product identity (“Honey,” “Wildflower Honey”)
  • Net weight
  • Ingredients statement, including any major allergens
  • The producer’s complete physical address
  • Over 20 hives: “THIS PRODUCT IS NOT PREPARED IN AN INSPECTED FOOD ESTABLISHMENT” and “NOT FOR RESALE,” in bold capitals at least 1/8 inch tall. 20 hives or fewer are exempt from these two lines.

Infused, flavored and blended honey

Honey with ginger, vanilla or peppers isn’t “honey with no additives,” so it falls outside the Farm Direct exemption; ask ODA whether it needs a license or fits the cottage food rules (home-made, non-time/temperature-controlled foods, with sales capped at $52,700 a year). Under FDA guidance a flavored product is named for its flavor (“raspberry-flavored honey”), and a honey-and-syrup mix must say “blend.” A floral name like “Clover Honey” is allowed only when that plant is the chief source.

Sources: ODA Farm Direct Marketing, Agricultural Products (July 2025) · ODA: What can I do without a license? · FDA honey labeling guidance. The COBKA meeting on Nov. 17 covers legal honey labels.

Local beekeeping associations and help

Central Oregon Beekeepers Association (COBKA)

The volunteer club for beekeepers across the region, from backyard hobbyists to people running hundreds of hives. Monthly educational meetings with guest speakers and a Beginner’s Corner, an extractor-lending library for members, and a swarm report page. Family membership: $25 a year.

Next meeting: Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026, 5:30–7:30 p.m. Bring your 2026 honey for a tasting, refractometer moisture testing and a session on legal labels. See the event page for location.

OSU Oregon Master Beekeeper Program

Run by OSU Extension with OSBA. Start with the online Getting Started with Bees certificate (no waitlist), then the mentored Apprentice, Journey and Master levels.

Names from older Bend honey lists

Some names circulate on older “Bend honey” lists, including an earlier version of this page. Here’s what we found when we checked.

  • Tumalo Bee Co.

    Its website doesn’t load, and we found no current listing. For Tumalo, try Tumalo Farmstand.

  • Wild Nectar Honey Co.

    A real brand, but its honey is organic Australian honey, not local.

  • Natural Grocers

    No Central Oregon beekeeper lists it as a stockist. Check the shelf, but don’t count on a local jar.

  • Savory Spice Shop

    Not on any local beekeeper’s stockist list either. For a spice-shop stop, Arome in Redmond lists honey with HDFFA.

FAQs about local honey in Bend and Central Oregon

Where can I buy local honey in Bend, Oregon?

Any day of the year: Central Oregon Locavore (1841 NE 3rd St, daily 10–7), Newport Avenue Market, Market of Choice and Local Acres Marketplace, which carry Broadus Bees and Brittany’s Bees. Broadus Bees also delivers in Bend. In season, DD Ranch sells raw honey at the Wednesday Bend Farmers Market, and small farms like Root Down Acres sell their surplus.

Is there honey made from bees in Bend itself?

Yes. Broadus Bees’ Bend Wildflower and High Desert Buckwheat honeys and its bee pollen come from hives in Bend, and Root Down Acres and The Broken Plow sell honey from their own east-side farms. Read labels, though: Broadus also sells clover and blueberry honey harvested in Medford.

Where can I get local honey in Redmond, Sisters, Prineville or Madras?

Redmond: Schoolhouse Produce, The Ranch Market, or Prescott Honey Farms online. Sisters: Lazy Z Ranch’s tasting room (Thu–Sun), The Stand (through Oct. 31) and Oliver Lemon’s. Prineville: Brittany’s Bees at Prineville Produce and Nature’s Bounty, or Windy Acres Dairy by appointment. Madras: Paradise Produce’s honor stand and DD Ranch, whose hives are around Madras, Culver and Terrebonne.

Does local honey help with allergies?

Probably not much. In a University of Connecticut trial published in 2002, people who ate a tablespoon of local raw honey a day had no more relief from allergy symptoms than people who ate corn syrup with honey flavoring. Much of the pollen that triggers allergies comes from wind-pollinated trees and grasses, not the flowers bees visit. Buy local honey for the flavor and to support local beekeepers.

What does “raw” honey mean?

There’s no legal federal definition. Beekeepers use it to mean honey that hasn’t been heated much past hive temperature or finely filtered. Prescott Honey Farms, for example, defines raw as never heated above natural hive temperatures and unfiltered as not straining out the fine pollen and propolis. Ask the beekeeper how they extract and strain.

My honey turned solid. Is it bad?

No. Crystallizing is natural, happens faster in cool kitchens, and is common with raw honey. To make it liquid again, set the jar in warm (not boiling) water and stir. Or keep it solid: creamed or whipped honey is crystallized on purpose.

When is honey harvested in Central Oregon?

Mostly in August. The Central Oregon Beekeepers Association notes that many local beekeepers pull their honey supers the second week of August, so new-crop jars show up from late August through October. Lazy Z Ranch delivers its honey in late summer or early fall.

Can I give honey to my baby?

Not before 12 months. The CDC says honey can cause infant botulism and should not be added to a baby’s food, water, formula or pacifier. Local raw honey is no exception.

Do Oregon beekeepers need a license to sell honey?

Not to sell honey with no additives directly to consumers. Oregon’s Farm Direct Marketing rules exempt it from ODA licensing, and retail extractors who own their hives can have any number of hives if they sell only to consumers. Wholesale extractors with 20 or fewer hives that extract only their own honey count as hobbyists. Infused or flavored honey isn’t “honey with no additives,” so ask ODA before selling it.

What has to be on a jar of farm-direct honey in Oregon?

ODA requires the product name, net weight, an ingredients statement and the producer’s full physical address. Beekeepers with more than 20 hives selling under the Farm Direct exemption must also print “THIS PRODUCT IS NOT PREPARED IN AN INSPECTED FOOD ESTABLISHMENT” and “NOT FOR RESALE” in bold capitals at least 1/8 inch tall; 20 hives or fewer are exempt from those two lines.

How do I start keeping bees in Central Oregon?

Join the Central Oregon Beekeepers Association (family membership $25 a year), which holds monthly meetings with a beginners’ corner and lends extractors to members. Order a nuc early: Lazy Z Ranch (2027 nucs $230), The Royal Bee and Broadus Bees all sell spring bees, and they sell out. OSU’s Oregon Master Beekeeper Program offers a Getting Started certificate and mentored apprentice training.

Who removes a honeybee swarm near Bend?

Report it on the Central Oregon Beekeepers Association swarm page. Lazy Z Ranch in Sisters captures swarms at no charge, The Royal Bee usually removes swarms for free, and Broadus Bees offers swarm removal.

More local food guides

Farm-fresh eggsStands, ranches and marketsFresh produceFarm stands and CSAsGrocery storesEvery Bend grocer comparedGift basketsLocal gifts with local honeyWine & meadTasting rooms around BendSistersTown guideRedmondTown guideSmith RockTerrebonne day trip

Sources and photo credits

Each beekeeper, farm, shop and market was checked on October 23, 2026 on its own website or shop, a beekeeper’s stockist list, or its 2026 High Desert Food & Farm Alliance listing (linked on each entry). Prices are as posted that day; stock and hours change, so confirm before driving out.

Photos

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