7 spots to buy pure honey, from the Pine Barrens to the Jersey Shore

Gabriela L. Laracca, Asbury Park Press
Updated ·3 min read

Fall is the time for family-fun activities like pumpkin and apple picking, and festive treats like apple cider donuts and pumpkin spice lattes.

But it also brings weed pollen — and lots of it.

Allergy sufferers know this well, and it comes just in time to put a damper on our "local" summer. But in addition to antihistamines and tissues, could honey combat your symptoms? A 2013 National Library of Medicine study seems to think so. But a CNBC story from earlier this year shows it's not that simple.

The good news is that honey is delicious. The even better news is that New Jersey has local apiaries selling it in different flavors. From the Pine Barrens to the Jersey Shore, here are some to check out.

Emery's Farm, New Egypt

Walter Wilson III of Wilson's Honey, tending to the bees at Emery's Farm in the New Egypt section of Plumsted Township, to produce raw honey and honeycomb sold in the farm market.
Walter Wilson III of Wilson's Honey, tending to the bees at Emery's Farm in the New Egypt section of Plumsted Township, to produce raw honey and honeycomb sold in the farm market.

Known for it's 20-acre blueberry patch, both for u-pick festivities and the delicious blueberry pies it produces — Emery's Farm has also been home to a thriving apiary for over 40 years.

Wilson's Honey, operated by Walter Wilson Sr., Walter Wilson Jr. and Walter Wilson III, provides pollination for Emery's blueberry plants that produces sweet wholesome honey. It's sold raw and in honeycomb form in the farm market.

And consider stopping by the old-world style bakery for treats like blueberry-and-cheese or pumpkin-and-cheese babkas, blueberry crumb pie and banana nut loaves.

Go: 346 Long Swamp Road, New Egypt section of Plumsted Township; 609-758-8514,

Self care with honey: Natural and organic spa days at the Jersey Shore are possible. Here's what you'll need.

Krowicki's Farm Market, New Egypt

Fresh local honey from Krowicki's Farm Market in the New Egypt section of Plumsted Township.
Fresh local honey from Krowicki's Farm Market in the New Egypt section of Plumsted Township.

This local farm and orchard has dozens of goods in the market, from homemade salad dressings and queso to apple bacon, salsa and honey.

They also offer apple picking and local honey, produced by bees kept on the farm, as well as on surrounding properties.

The pure, raw honey comes in flavors like blueberry, cranberry and wildflower.

Go: 862 Route 539, New Egypt section of Plumsted Township; 609-752-5591, facebook.com/KrowickisFarmMarket.

Oak Hill Farms, Holmdel

This farm doesn't just have regular honey. The shelves are stacked with products like raw honey, hand-whipped creamed honey, chili-pepper infused hot honey, and whole honeycomb.

All claim to "help with allergies, boost energy level, help fight coughs, act as a sleep aid, balance your body, control blood sugar and help with digestion," according to the site.

The farm also sells bee pollen, which is packed with Vitamin B, minerals, free-forming amino acids and protein. Add it to smoothies, oatmeal, yogurt — or eat it by the spoonful. But be careful, it's a bit dry.

Go: 177 Stillwell Road, Holmdel; 732-383-5544, oakhillfarmsnj.com.

Pumpkin spice season: Pumpkin Donut Latte and more fall drinks to try at Jersey Shore cafes and restaurants

More to try

Honey sticks from Harvey's Honey in Monroeville, sold at Pleasant Mills Farm Market in Hammonton.
Honey sticks from Harvey's Honey in Monroeville, sold at Pleasant Mills Farm Market in Hammonton.

The Fir Farm of Colts Neck is a Christmas tree farm that also specializes in honey. In fact, Fir Farm's honey took second place at this year's Black Jar International Honey Tasting Competition in North Carolina. It's sold on the farm and in local retailers. Go: 166 Hillsdale Road, thefirfarm.com, facebook.com/TheFirFarm.

Harvey's Honey of Upper Pittsgrove Township in Salem County, is sold in plenty of South Jersey retailers, like Russo's Fruit and Vegetable Farm in Tabernacle Township. The apiary produces dozens of flavors, like Orange Blossom, Buckwheat, Blueberry and Wildflower. Go: 912 Route 40; 856-358-1010, harveyshoney.com.

Pine Barrens Native Fruits is a wholesaler operating out of Browns Mills section of Pemberton Township in Burlington County that has been growing quality blueberries and cranberries for over 160 years. The apiary sticks to the company's roots, with honey flavors like Tru-Blu-Berry and Cranberry. Go: 888-272-6264, pbnf.com/shop, or find it in local retailers.

Zenja's Honey Farm in Toms River is known for affordable bee pollen, raw honey and deep-amber colored classic honey in flavors like Wildflower. Go: 322 Marc Drive; 732-341-8529.

Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to glaracca@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Too sweet: Jersey Shore apiaries and farms sell pure honey