Urban Honey Cooperative in North Lawndale

A new vendor was at the Green City Market this morning selling Chicago raised, chemical free honey. Beautifully yellowish and crystal clear, it is reminiscent of acacia honey. The back of the jar indicates that it is a project of the North Lawndale Employment Network. Their website http://www.nlen.org/sweet.htm tells the organization's story. In summary, the stategy behind this cooperative is to provide

local employment for former offenders and other low-income residents, offering business ownership opportunities for low-income individuals, and promoting community economic development.

I just opened the jar and wow! The fragrance is amazing, nectarine comes quickly to mind. The flavor, peachy with a note of spiciness. Even if the funds were not for a good cause, the flavor justifies the price: if I recall correctly, $6.00 for 12 ounces.

(BTW GWIV, I know the next ice cream flavor - Nectarine Buttermilk sweetened with honey).

Hey Mag,

That honey sounds wonderful, and I'm always on the lookout for unusual honey. I just called the Lawndale group and left a message in hopes that I can get the honey somewhere closer to Oak Park, or order it by phone (an unlikely option, I admit).

David

If you can't get it directly from them, I would be happy to pick you up a jar at the market. Let me know.

I have heard a good way to combat allergies is to include in your diet honey from the area, thus inadvertently building up an immunity to whatever causes your allergies.
Anyone?

ParkerS, yes, and I've also heard that it's good to drink local wine (absurd in our geographic situation) and generally consume other items from your locality. Eating local makes sense for a lot of reasons.

Hammond

"......have heard a good way to combat allergies is to include in your diet honey from the area, thus inadvertently building up an immunity to whatever causes your allergies........."

Yup it's true. The pollen the bees use helps you to become immune to the allergies it creates. Like getting innoculations, except a lot better.

Also, there is a new treatment for allergies that does not involve shots. It's very slowly becoming available, but it really works because my insurance company covered it back in Boston. You go through the testing as usual, but then they make up a tincture of all the things you're allergic to (just like they would for the ensuing shots) but you take it home and put a few droplets under your tongue every day, and slowly you become more resistant to your allergens. It's great because then you don't have to make trips to the clinic for pinchy shots.

messycook wrote:Also, there is a new treatment for allergies that does not involve shots. It's very slowly becoming available, but it really works because my insurance company covered it back in Boston. You go through the testing as usual, but then they make up a tincture of all the things you're allergic to (just like they would for the ensuing shots) but you take it home and put a few droplets under your tongue every day, and slowly you become more resistant to your allergens. It's great because then you don't have to make trips to the clinic for pinchy shots.

In around 1999, my daughter went to see the doc about her allergies to cats. Doctor had her soak some cat hairs in a glass of water for a day or so, and then put a few drops under her tongue. She was not cured of her allergy, but she did see improvement.

Hammond

I just got off the phone with Tom, who runs the honey end of the North Lawndale Employment Network, and he's going to be at the Oak Park Farmer's Market this weekend.

Apparently, they've got like 40 hives on Fillmore, between Central and Independence (!), and the bees graze generally upon sweet clover in Garfield and Douglas Parks. I love it.

The name of the booth is Beeline, and I'm planning on grabbing a jar of this stuff on Saturday. Will report...perhaps with pix.

Hammond

my daughter went to see the doc about her allergies to cats. Doctor had her soak some cat hairs in a glass of water for a day or so, and then put a few drops under her tongue. She was not cured of her allergy, but she did see improvement

Ugh that's gross
I wonder if it had a somatic effect, that if she had to try that stuff anymore, it wouldn't be worth complaining?!

Beeline is now selling beeswax candles at the Green City Market.

MAG,

Did you happen to hear the NPR story on Beeline? I caught the tail-end of it; several Chicago chefs sang its praises.

David

Hey guys,

I did a story on this co-op a couple weeks ago. So far, they're using the stuff at Lula, Blackbird, NoMi, and a place in North Lawndale called I.C.Y. Vegetarian. They have plans to market a line of honey infused products-lotion, lip balm, etc.

I also noticed at their OP Farmer's Market stand that they're offering bottles of bee pollen. They had a sample, so I tried a few nobules; they were relatively tasteless, but allegedly have some health benefits (specifically, pollen is supposed to help fight seasonal allergies, but this is, of course, not an FDA-recognized outcome).

Hammond

What a great thread!

I recently asked my good pal j3s to pick me up some locally-grown honey on a trip to the GCM. As I work in the loop, I can't attend this market, but know j3s gets there pretty frequently.

We had also heard the allergy remedy (although, in addition to locally-grown honey, you were to mix this with apple cider vinegar), and were hoping to try it out.

j3s called from the market, probably hadn't stumbled upon the lawndale organization yet, as she asked if honey from NW Indiana or southern WI was ok. I thought it would be, but lo & behold, when j3s brought the honey over, it was in a very attractive jar with label noting it's organization. And, she was thoughtful to bring a flier.

Great stuff & what an awesome cause to support!!

So glad to see it's making the rounds & even the chefs are singing it's praises.

Sadly, I haven't yet tried the allergy remedy, as mine have subsided a bit.

Cheers,
miss ellen