District Profile: Summer Johnson of Zach + Zoë Sweet Bee Farm

Zach and Zoë Sweet Bee Farm is a full-on family run operation. The New Jersey-based apiary and raw honey shop based in Meatpacking is raising awareness of the benefits that adding this treat to your daily routine has on the body. Honey is a nutrient packed food containing enzymes, minerals and vitamins that our body uses to stay well. In celebration of National Wellness Month, we spoke with Founder Summer Johnson. Read on for our interview and be sure to stop by their location on the lower level of Chelsea Market.

Name: Summer Johnson

Title: Founder

Organization/Business: Zach and Zoë Sweet Bee Farm

Social: @zachandzoehoney

Tell us about the inspiration behind Zach and Zoë Sweet Bee Farm?

My inspiration behind starting Zach and Zoë was a desire to help people alleviate their allergies, and to teach our children entrepreneurial skills. What inspired us to start an apiary was the fact that our son had very bad allergies and asthma so we decided to try to give him our hyper local honey from our backyard. I was homeschooling the children and wanted to teach them entrepreneurship so we began to sell our honey at an artisanal food market. It all took off from there.
What’s a typical day look like for you?

Busy busy bee… Pancakes for the children (two heads of hair to do), being nice to hubby and then it’s all about the honey. I’m grateful to come to Chelsea Market on most days where we have our store location. It’s always bustling with people looking for something new! We offer a honey tasting everyday there, so people understand what we are working with, real honey and real super foods!

What do you see as the biggest benefits to incorporating honey into the foods we eat?

Nutrition and amazing flavor!
How are you helping to save the honey bee population?

I’m not. Our bees die sometimes, but we try. We want to spread awareness of the importance of beekeeping and encourage people to keep bees! If anyone wants a hive we can install them as well.

For those who are incorporating raw honey into their lives for the first time, what advice do you have for them?

Just enjoy it!

What do you believe makes Zach and Zoë Sweet Bee Farm unique, specifically for New York City?

The family aspect in our story.

What’s your favorite product at the moment that you carry?

Our lavender wildflower honey.

If you had a few hours in Meatpacking, how would your family ideally spend the time?

The stroll! If we are all together it’s Bubby’s for breakfast and shopping at Madewell for Zoë. For lunch, The Standard Grill is a great time and the themes are super fun. Then, a walk on the High Line to Chelsea Market to check up on my other life. Afterward, drop off the children and get them dressed for dinner at Fig + Olive, or ice cream at Ample Hills Creamery.