Party of Hive gets its name from the busy Ardsley Park home of Maggie Lilly, self–proclaimed Queen Bee, her husband Jay, and their three busy bees, John, Julia, and Louisa. The party of five is always on the go and, yes, always hungry! The beginning of this story goes way back and its twists have taken some sweet and tasty turns along the way. It is no surprise as, in its current chapter, local Georgia honey is the mouthwatering ingredient that holds it together!

Maggie always loved to experiment in the kitchen and to eat. In 2006, she was working on a Health Science degree and participated in a college field trip to Italy to study the fundamentals of Mediterranean nutrition and cuisine. When she returned to Savannah, memories of that delightful experience, inspired her to focus even more on cooking and baking, in particular. Over the years, Maggie practiced her baking creativity and skills at every opportunity she had, which included large family gatherings with an audience with the highest expectations. She has always had an experimental mind and, with time, built quite a library of fun and healthy recipes.

For many years, Maggie coached health and fitness and she has always been an avid athlete. For that reason, she has developed tasty treats that put a healthy spin on sweets and otherwise decadent desserts. It was there, at the delicate crossroads of healthy and yummy, that the idea of baking granola was born.  At first, it was a hobby, an idea to provide healthy snacks for the staff and students at Blessed Sacrament School where her teenage twins are 7th graders. The great reception her granola received at the school prompted Maggie to start a cottage industry out of her home. Always ready to take on a challenge, she applied for and was granted a Cottage Food License with the Department of Agriculture, and the rest is history. Party of Hive is truly a work of love for Maggie as it combines family, food, and her much-treasured city of Savannah.

Her family was very enthusiastic about this venture and everyone played a part in making the dream come to life. It is really a family effort, a hive-like community venture by this party of five!  By the way, do not let that number fool you, the party of five has the creativity and energy of fifty and it quickly gathered support from other passionate and equally driven extended family members. As Maggie focused on the recipes and baking, her family pitched in as tasters, package designers, and marketing and delivery experts. At this time, there are 3 flavors available in 4 or 10-oz packages: the OG, original granola; Lemon Blueberry; and Peanut Butter. Each flavor of granola contains the highest quality ingredients, including Georgia honey, certified gluten-free oats, pure extracts, and superfoods like hemp seeds and pumpkin seeds.

  

When the business grew beyond the limits of a cottage kitchen, Maggie, in her capacity of CGO (Chief Granola Officer) searched for and found a commercial-grade kitchen she now uses. Along with a new Commercial Food License, this move made it possible for the business to meet market demands and expand to retail stores.

Eat this granola alone as a snack or combine it with yogurt, honey, strawberries, bananas, and other types of fruit. Whichever way you try it, you will find it the best granola you ever tasted!! www.partyofhive.com