In 1975, the Willamette Valley was a quieter place. Eugene was still defined by sawmills, family farms, and a growing counterculture. It was here that beekeeper Richard “Dick” Turanski and his wife Pat started a small honey business out of their backyard. Their goal was simple: share pure, honest honey with friends and neighbors.
What began as buckets of honey sold locally has grown into GloryBee—a trusted name in honey and natural ingredients, celebrating 50 years in business.
A Family Business with Purpose
Dick wasn’t just a beekeeper. He was a teacher and storyteller who believed honey carried more than sweetness—it carried a mission. From the start, GloryBee reflected his faith and values: work hard, serve others, and give back. Deciding on the name itself, “GloryBee,” came from his desire to honor creation and the bees that make it possible.
Pat managed the family, the books, and more than a few jars of honey. Together, the Turanski’s built not just a business but a community of employees, customers, and beekeepers who shared their vision.
Changes in the Willamette Valley
In those early days, Eugene’s food scene was still forming. Natural food co-ops were popping up, but organic certification, sustainability labels, and gluten-free aisles didn’t exist yet. Over the decades, the Willamette Valley evolved into a hub of organic farming, artisanal food, and craft beverages, giving leadership to a national natural food movement. GloryBee grew alongside it, supplying honey and natural ingredients to bakers, brewers, and food makers across the region and beyond.
The local landscape also changed. Malls replaced some family shops. Tech and healthcare reshaped employment. Yet through all the shifts, GloryBee stayed rooted in the same community spirit that defined its first years.
The Changing World of Honey
The honey industry has transformed as well. In the 1970s, most American honey was sold domestically. Today, with the huge growth in demand and the shrinkage of American honey production, global supply chains dominate. Imported honey often undercuts local producers, and concerns about adulteration—honey diluted with syrups—are real.
GloryBee has responded by committing to transparency and sourcing only from trusted, True Source Certified beekeepers. They’ve expanded into organic and Non-GMO Project Verified options, setting a standard for purity and integrity in a crowded market.
And while industrial agriculture has put pressure on pollinators, GloryBee has leaned into advocacy. In 2012, the company launched the Save the Bee initiative, funding research and education to support beekeepers and protect pollinator health. A portion of every sale helps fuel that work, connecting customers directly to the cause.
Fifty Years of Growth
From a garage start-up to a company serving national brands & retailers, GloryBee’s journey reflects both perseverance and adaptability. The factory store in Eugene became a local landmark for decades before the business shifted to focus on wholesale and e-commerce. Along the way, GloryBee expanded into ingredients beyond honey—spices, sweeteners, oils—while keeping its heart in the hive.
Through it all, the company has remained family-owned, passing leadership to the next generation. What began as Dick and Pat’s vision has become a multigenerational legacy.
Looking Back with Gratitude
As GloryBee celebrates its 50th year, the company honors the simple idea that started it all: real honey, real people, real purpose. The Willamette Valley has changed. The food industry has changed. But the values of hard work, faith, and stewardship remain the same.
For Dick and Pat, it was always about more than honey. It was about sharing the glory—of bees, of community, and of building something that lasts.
