Only Hot As Heck (Not Hell) – How Local Hive Launched A Honey Hot Sauce

Cale Nelson

Imagine a world where every bite of food you enjoy is enriched with a century of sweetness, and the heat that tantalizes your taste buds carries a story of local pride and environmental stewardship. What if the zest on your plate also ensured a thriving future for essential pollinators, agricultural abundance, and local communities? How can one brand transform the condiment aisle while simultaneously preserving vital ecosystems?

Honey expert Cale Nelson delves into how a historic honey brand is spicing up the market with a line of mission-driven honey hot sauces. He discusses the unique approach Local Hive takes in combining regional honey varieties with corresponding local peppers, creating a product range that's both innovative and locally inspired. Through partnerships with organizations like Butterfly Pavilion's PACE program, Local Hive positively impacts pollinator conservation — all while delivering a flavorful kick to its dedicated customer base. Cale shares the brand's strategic approach to product development and marketing, emphasizing the importance of consumer research and selective retail partnerships.

On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Cale Nelson, Chief Commercial Officer of Local Hive Honey, about how Local Hive Honey is innovating within the food and beverage space. Cale shares insights into Local Hive's data-informed innovation strategy, the growing trend for approachable hot sauces and the forthcoming launch of Local Hive hot sauces in Whole Foods, the impact of foreign honey imports on US agriculture, and Local Hive's commitment to local beekeepers.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 

  • [1:48] Discover Local Hive's century-long journey in honey

  • [4:25] Dive into the science of consumer-driven product innovation

  • [7:46] Exploring honey-based hot sauce trends

  • [12:43] Sourcing honey from local American beekeepers vs. foreign sources

  • [16:27] Importance of relationships with beekeepers and innovation in product development

  • [24:46] Local Hive's role in Butterfly Pavilion's PACE conservation efforts

  • [28:33] High-engagement strategies for social media success

About Cale Nelson

Cale Nelson is the Chief Commercial Officer of Local Hive Honey, a brand with a century of heritage in producing 100% US local raw honey. With a keen focus on innovation and sustainability, Cale leads the brand's expansion into new product categories, including a line of honey-based hot sauces. He champions the importance of supporting local American beekeepers, both for quality products and for the essential role of pollinators in agriculture. By prioritizing consumer needs and leveraging extensive market research, Cale has driven Local Hive Honey to be a leading contender in the natural and conventional channels.

QUOTABLE MOMENTS:

  • "Every brand we talk to is driven by their mission to make the world better."

  • "The more honey that's sourced out of this country, the more negative impact that has on pollination."

  • "It's all about serving those social following content that they like that they're interested in."

ACTION STEPS:

  1. Focus on mission-driven innovation: Integrate your company's mission into product development to create unique offerings that align with your core values.

  2. Data-driven product development: Use consumer insights and analytics to inform and refine new product concepts to meet market demands effectively.

  3. Build strategic retail partnerships: Launch new products with targeted retailers to create strong initial momentum and gather case studies for broader distribution.

  4. Support local ecosystems and agriculture: Choose to source products from local providers to enhance product quality and contribute to the health of the environment.

  5. Maintain high social media engagement: Develop content strategies based on thorough engagement analysis to keep followers interested and invested in your brand.

Duncan Alney