🌿 The Cost of B-ing Good: A Look into B Corp Certification for Restaurants 🌿

Navigating sustainability in the restaurant world is tough—especially when it comes to B Corp Certification.

Our CEO, Emma Cotter, had the pleasure of writing this article for Modern Restaurant Management, exploring what it takes for restaurants to pursue B Corp Certification. Using Sleepy Bee’s journey as an example, she examined our challenges, benefits, and tough decisions involved in striving for this “seal of sustainability.”

👀 Did you know…Every time you dive into that stack of Sleepy Bee pancakes, you’re supporting local scholarship recipients!
🥞
Here’s how..
We partner with @MilligansMaple, an Ohio company who’s committed to supporting and giving back to the culinary community through scholarship foundations in cities that support Milligan’s Maple!
🎓 Milligans says “The scholarships are distributed through cooking competitions with students creating maple forward recipes for tasty dishes ranging from breakfast entrees to traditional dinner and dessert items.”
🥞 Milligan’s donates both pure maple syrup and bourbon barrel aged pure maple syrup to each program’s test kitchens and presents to culinary classes about how pure maple syrup is made. Current scholarships include The Arizona Culinary Institute, Columbus State, Nashville State, and Cincinnati State.

We’re excited to feature sweet corn from @burwinkelfarms this weekend at Sleepy Bee! Our commitment to using seasonal ingredients isn’t just about flavor —though nothing beats the taste of fresh, local produce— it’s also about nurturing a healthier planet. Enjoy the natural sweetness of summer, knowing every bite supports sustainable farming practices. 🌽

🍅🍃 It’s tomato season at Sleepy Bee Cafe! We’re thrilled to bring you the freshest, juiciest tomatoes – handpicked from Dark Wood Farm in Kentucky. These farm-fresh tomatoes are bursting with summer flavor. Come taste the best of the season by ordering one of our Specials this weekend! 🌞🍅

Dark Wood Farm 1

Where to Go Strawberry Picking Around Cincinnati in 2024
Strawberry picking season is a beloved tradition in Cincinnati, and 2024 promises to be a fantastic year for it. Here are some top spots for strawberry picking:

1. McGlasson Farms

Located at 5832 River Rd, Hebron, KY, McGlasson Farms has been family-owned for six generations. They offer a variety of u-pick options, including strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and apples. Strawberry picking typically starts in early June, and the berries are priced at $3.99 per pound. Note that McGlasson Farms only accepts cash, Venmo, or checks (-).

2. Blooms and Berries Farm Market

Located at 9669 S. St. Rt. 48, Loveland, OH, Blooms and Berries Farm Market hosts the annual Strawberry Days from mid-May to early June. This event features u-pick strawberries, farm games, a petting zoo, and more. Admission is required, and tickets must be purchased online. The strawberries are priced at $4.99 per pound (-) (PickYourOwn).

3. Stokes Berry Farm

Situated at 2822 Center Rd, Wilmington, OH, Stokes Berry Farm opens its strawberry season in early June. This farm is renowned for its high-quality berries and has been serving the community for four generations. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for the latest updates on picking schedules (-).

4. Red Barn Farm

Located at 1295 Knoxville Rd, Dry Ridge, KY, Red Barn Farm offers u-pick strawberries from early May to mid-June. Prices range from $2.29 to $3.29 per pound. Visitors are advised to bring their own containers (-).

5. Monnin Fruit Farm

Located at 8201 Frederick Pike, Dayton, OH, Monnin Fruit Farm has been a staple since 1961. They offer u-pick strawberries for $2.95 per pound. Bring your own containers or purchase a gallon bucket for $1. This farm also features a market with a variety of fresh produce and Amish baked goods (-).

Tips for a Successful Strawberry Picking Experience

Go Early: Visit the farms early in the day to get the freshest berries.
Check Farm Updates: Always check the farms’ websites or social media for the latest updates on strawberry availability and picking conditions.
Bring the Right Supplies: Wear comfortable shoes, bring sunscreen, and carry water to stay hydrated.
Cash or Venmo: Some farms only accept cash or Venmo, so be prepared.
Storage: Use shallow containers to prevent crushing the berries, and refrigerate them as soon as you get home to maintain freshness.
With these tips and the variety of farms available, you’re sure to have a delightful strawberry picking experience in Cincinnati this year. Enjoy the bounty of fresh, juicy strawberries and the fun activities these farms offer!

👩‍🎓 Our co-founder, Sandra Gross, had the honor of giving the commencement speech to the Class of 2024 at Miami Ohio University’s College of Creative Arts last Sunday!

“For the past ten years- I have immersed myself in a few subjects. One of them being BEES. Besides learning that there are 500 different bee species alone in Ohio – I always thought that Bees will buzz around and land on any flower, collect pollen and nectar and move on. Actually though, most bees specialize in specific colors,season, forms (maybe they took my visual fundamentals class) and some even – type of plant. They even know if a plant has been pollinated recently by another bee and will go to the next flower. Even more amazing is that if it is the right plant and the right time, when the bee is inside gathering nectar, the pollen will attach itself to the bee. They seem to be the masters of making their time matter, not wasting it and only choosing the flower that suits them.

🙌 As you all go from experience to experience, you will attract lots of things like the Bees attract Pollen. These could even be mundane events – like for me meeting a friend of a friend at my studio one day who happens to be a chef…Pay attention to which ones stick, what keeps coming up for you, what attracts you, what repels you. We create value by solving problems – even moreso when we can have a cultural, social, or environmental impact.

…Your faculty, fellow students, and your family who have supported you throughout your numerous journeys cannot wait to see what life you create, and neither can I. Congratulations class of 2024!”

❤️😴🐝