The National Honey Board is teaming up with several leading US food manufacturers for “Honey Saves Hives,” a program designed to fund bee health research. To celebrate National Honey Month in September, top brands Kashi, Justin’s and Frönen will make donations in excess of $52,000 to bee health research organizations, including Project Apis m., the largest honeybee non-profit in the country.
Customers can purchase participating products at the grocery store – including Kashi Organic Honey Toasted Oat Cereal, Justin’s Honey Almond Butter and non-dairy frozen dessert Frönen’s made with honey flavors: Madagascar Vanilla, Strawberry, Mint Chip, Peanut Butter, Chocolate and Banana Coconut – with a portion going to fund bee health research.
“We know that many people share our concern about the threats to bee health and we wanted to give them a way to help,” says Margaret Lombard, chief executive officer for the National Honey Board. “Honey Saves Hives is an easy way to support honeybees by purchasing several delicious products that are made with honey. We’re honored to work with Kashi, Frönen and Justin’s. These companies share our passion for protecting honeybees, honey producers and the entire food supply chain.”
Project Apis m. is committed to enhancing the health and vitality of honeybee colonies through research and forage programs.
“The health of our planet and the wide variety of the food that we enjoy depends on the health of honeybees, and we can help these vital pollinators with Honey Saves Hives,” says Danielle Downey, executive director of Project Apis m. “We’ll dedicate the proceeds from this program to crucial research around mitigation of bee health threats, habitat and forage restoration, best management practices and more.”
Honeybees play a vital role in our global food supply, as they are responsible for pollinating more than 35 percent of the foods we eat and producing the honey we enjoy. Over the past several years, they’ve faced increasing new challenges and threats that negatively affect their health in many ways. The National Honey Board allocates five percent of its annual revenue to honeybee health research.