National Honey Month takes place this September, and with that in mind, the National Honey Board is promoting its Honey Saves Hives program, now in its fifth year. Honey Saves Hives is an educational campaign that brings together beekeepers, food manufacturers, retail bakers, chefs and foodies to celebrate the beautiful and essential relationship between honey, honey bees and our broader food ecosystem.

Research organizations like Project Apis m. are dedicated to protecting honey bees by finding solutions to their challenges and helping them thrive. Recognizing the importance of honey bee protection, the National Honey Board partners with Project Apis m., in addition to Barr Hill by Caledonia Spirits, Frönen, Justin's, Kate's Real Food, Kodiak, Mary's Gone Crackers and Sprecher Brewery, to raise awareness among consumers and chefs alike. When consumers purchase honey or made with honey products, they are helping a beekeeper maintain the health and well-being of honey bees. They are also helping the process of honey bee pollination, which is key to growing one-third of the foods we know and love, such as apples, blueberries, coconuts, avocado, pumpkins and more.

The beekeeper behind Girl Next Door Honey, Hilary Kearney joined the Honey Saves Hives campaign this year, creating content to help followers gain a better understanding of honey bees’ invaluable contributions to our global food supply. Her work focuses on bee-centric programs such as natural beekeeping classes and beehive tours, and she has inspired people worldwide through her acclaimed beekeeping photography. Through her photos, she brings to life the realities of beekeeping and the important role honey bees play in pollinating much of the produce we find in the grocery store.

“As a beekeeper, I know firsthand the important role honey bees play in our lives and our food supply. Purchasing honey not only helps beekeepers like myself maintain a happy home for honey bees, it contributes to important research about honey bee health,” Kearney says. “I wish more people understood that when you purchase honey or made-with-honey products, you are making a positive impact on honey bee hives, which is why I am thrilled to be a part of Honey Saves Hives this year.”

Celebrated food blogger, chef, television host, media personality and author, Samah Dada is also joining the Honey Saves Hives campaign to inspire followers to incorporate honey and honey bee pollinated foods into their meals. Her popular food blog, DadaEats, showcases her distinctive cooking style, which blends her Indian heritage with wellness, creating meals that celebrate the joy of cooking with whole foods, like honey. From her yogurt at breakfast to her signature no-bake dessert squares to dressing for her favorite salads, Samah elevates each dish with honey, letting the all-natural sweetener complement and enhance a variety of flavors.

“In my kitchen, honey is my go-to sweetener for many different meals and occasions because of its natural and wholesome qualities. Plus, by using honey, I'm making a choice that supports our food ecosystem, since honey bees pollinate one in every three bites of food that we eat, including many that I use every day,” Dada says. “I’m beyond excited to be teaming up with the National Honey Board to highlight one easy way we can all support honey bees: using honey!”

The National Honey Board has partnered with eight prominent restaurants in San Francisco and Houston to introduce special honey-infused dishes during a dedicated “honey week,” and 26 of the top bakeries across the country to add special made-with-honey items to their menus during September. These culinary creations will be prominently featured on social media channels nationwide, highlighting the versatility of honey across different cuisines and dining occasions and promoting the important role honey bees and beekeepers play in our food system.

To thank consumers for their honey purchases and support for hives during September, the National Honey Board is offering a $1.00 reward on the purchase of any honey (12oz or larger).   After purchasing honey, a consumer simply submits a copy of their receipt using either a mobile phone or computer using the link found on honeysaveshives.com or on the Ibotta app to receive a $1.00 reward deposited in their Ibotta account.

Additionally, consumers can purchase honey and made with honey partner products on the Honey Saves Hives Instacart shopping page.