Busy Bee Organics: Redefining Healthy Eating in Jersey City

Owned and founded by chef/nutritionist Michelle Berckes, Busy Bee Organics started as an online ordering company delivering prepared meals to clients. Today, Busy Bee has a cafe space for customers to eat in and a popular weekly prepared meal menu.

“I founded Busy Bee to bring healthy, delicious, fully prepared meals to all who don’t enjoy cooking or simply don’t have the time/energy to think about what to cook and if it is “good” for them,” said Berckes.

While many other restaurants in the Hudson County area present themselves as health-based establishments, Berckes claims Busy Bee Organics stands out as a 100% gluten-free business that serves organically grown food.

“Most people benefit from a gluten-free diet if done properly, i.e., whole grains and unprocessed foods. I wanted to bring people with allergens a haven to order anything on the menu and have it taste great while maintaining the integrity of ingredient quality and flavors,” explained Berckes.

Berckes added that Busy Bee Organics has the best customers and the best team, which includes Certified Health-Supportive Chefs, Dietetic Nutritionists, Certified Health Coaches, and Herbalists. They all pride themselves on making meals using organically grown produce and humanely pasture-raised animals. According to Berckes, she and her chefs use whole grains, omega-3-rich olive oil, and unrefined sugars when cooking their recipes.

“We curate every item to be delicious and challenge what “health food” used to be stigmatized as,” Berckes added. “Our food is safe for almost every health ailment and accommodates many dietary restrictions while encouraging an anti-inflammatory response in the body for optimal health.”

Busy Bee even offers clients health coaching sessions with Jamie Forward Mazza. A specialist in women’s health and mental health, Mazza regularly talks with clients to work on eating habits they hope to change or add to their routine.

“Jamie and I developed a program called the Beetox, which combines her coaching and our food into an all-encompassing plan,” said Berckes. “On this plan, clients have all of their food scheduled and planned out and fully prepared by us and an open availability to connect with Jamie when needed.”

Busy Bee’s story began with Berckes pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Dietetic Nutrition. During her studies, she claims to have found “major holes and gaps” in the food system and protocols taught to people.

“I wanted to be in the kitchen and help people before they got sick,” explained Berckes. “It is much easier to treat a system before it becomes a disease. Medicine is food, and food is medicine, and if I could take the hurdles of cooking and figuring out what was healthy for people, they would much more likely eat better to feel better.”

Her experience with an eating disorder also influenced Berckes. Though she was learning about what was healthy to eat, Berckes learned that her disorder was caused mainly by a “lack of knowing what the body needs to feel good.” By developing a stronger understanding of her body’s needs, Berckes realized that her purpose in life was to help people feel “empowered” with food.

Today, Berckes continues to promote healthy eating and help bring people peace of mind. At the same time, Busy Bee’s business has evolved and expanded, adding more personal chef services and catering more to customers’ specific needs or allergies. Berckes also recently demonstrated how to make her recipe for pesto at the Health and Wellness Fair at County Prep High School, where former New Jersey governor Jim McGreevy was in attendance.

In the coming weeks, Busy Bee Organics shall celebrate the holidays with their allergy-friendly, farm-to-table Thanksgiving menu, which features plant-based main dishes, stuffing, mushroom gravy, pumpkin cheesecake, and chocolate salted caramel pie. Busy Bee will also serve their famous S’mores Hot Cocoa for December. Out of all her creations at Busy Bee, Berckes recommends her popular “Buffins,” a muffin with 12 grams of protein, five grams of fiber, less than 300 calories, and a special flavor each week.

“We are always looking to elevate our offering,” said Berckes.