Swan Valley Honey and parent company Honey Bee Zen Apiaries Ltd. of Creston have been announced as a Social Impact Award finalist in the 2026 BC Food & Beverage Rise Awards.

This award recognizes a company that demonstrates a deeply rooted social mission and continuously works to better its community through initiatives, internal practices and stakeholder relationships.

Honey Bee Zen (HBZ) was nominated for its unwavering commitment to the Kootenays community. This is highly evident as co-owners and beekeepers, Jeff Lee and Amanda Goodman Lee, are recognized for their business values.

“We pride ourselves in operating our business with an ethical commitment to the well-being of our society and environment. We are stewards of B.C.’s fields, forests and fauna including the honey bee, and we are strong advocates for the well-being of all members of our communities.”

HBZ ethically produces award-winning 100% pure, raw, unpasteurized honey and sustainable hive products in Creston. They also provide pollination services to local orchardists and growers, and make it a priority to work with local suppliers and employ Creston residents who share their values.

Amanda and Jeff are recognized for their active involvement in several community initiatives. Amanda is the President of The East Kootenay Beekeepers, Chair of The Boone Hodgson Wilkinson Trust Foundation, President of The Creston Valley Food Action Coalition, and the Kootenay Representative on the Les Dames BC Chapter Board of Directors. Jeff is the Chairman of Kootenay’s Fields Forward, Director of the BC Honey Producers Association, and BC Director for the Canadian Honey Council.

Most recently and notably, they have proudly supported efforts to raise funds for the Kootenay Farms Food Hub & Innovation Centre, helping ensure that the facility remains a cornerstone of Creston’s food system. Annually, HBZ is committed to donating to Creston’s high school culinary program, sponsoring several community events, conducting beekeeping classes, and hosting school tours.

Amanda and Jeff are also highly regarded in the community for providing a living wage to their employees and actively supporting their career development, and as well as helping five Ukrainian families relocate and work in Creston.

HBZ is a finalist in this category alongside Herbaland Naturals Inc. and Nature’s Path Organics, both located in Richmond.

Amanda says, “Jeff and I are beyond honoured and humbled to be recognized as finalists for the Social Impact Award. This nomination is especially meaningful because our community means so much to us.  We are grateful to be recognized in a way that reflects the place and people we care about.

The Kootenays is our home, where our bees pollinate and forage. We live on the farm where we produce our products, so our connection to this place is part of our everyday lives. We are deeply rooted in the community and have built loyal connections and friendships with residents and local businesses.

Whether we are working in the apiary, in the honey house, in our home office, at farmers’ markets, or on delivery trips, we cherish this way of life. It allows us to support the bees, the environment, food security, Kootenay residents, and the local relationships that make this community so special.”

The annual BC Food & Beverage Rise Awards will present awards to winners in the following categories: Product of the Year, Best in Brand, Emerging Business, Export, Circularity, Indigenous-led Business of the Year, Innovation, Leadership, People’s Choice, Social Impact, and Women Entrepreneur of the Year.

With the exception of Product of the Year, the winner of each category will be selected by public vote via the BC Food & Beverage website from September 14 to September 28.

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