Every week, there’s another news story about why honeybees are in danger and how to prevent their losses from happening.
“Healthy Bees, Healthy Lives” is the name of a campaign created by The Beez Kneez (we sell their fine honey at Seward Co-op) to protect pollinators from harmful pesticides and other chemicals. From The Beez Knees website:
In September of 2013, The Beez Kneez, LLC lost our Blake School [urban] hive in Minneapolis to a legal pesticide application. Our hive and the hives of two hobby beekeepers within a 1/4 mile of each other lost thousands of bees in a 24-hour period.
We underwent an investigation with the MN Department of Agriculture and the University of MN Bee Lab, and we able to determine that our hives were killed by a commonly used pesticide, sprayed on the foundations of buildings to kill unwanted insects.
As a result they started Healthy Bees, Healthy Lives to promote awareness about pesticide-use and how vulnerable it makes pollinators in our modern, chem-heavy world. For example, sign the pledge at the above link “to maintain a chemical free green space,” pay a minimum of $10, and you’ll receive your choice of very cool yard sign designs.
And Seward Co-op is joining the Healthy Bees, Healthy Lives campaign, too. All through April we’ll have store-specials, fun events, and we’ll be highlight special honey-based treats, too.
April 2-April 15: Beez Kneez Honey will be on special, and so will Honey Beez Cream Puffs from the Seward Co-op Bakery.
Thursday, April 3: What’s Going on with the Bees? Class at Seward Co-op from 6–8 p.m. Sign up at Customer Service.
Saturday, April 5: Healthy Bees, Healthy Lives Demo Event: Taste Beez Kneez Honey and Seward Co-op Honey Beez Cream Puffs. 3-6 p.m.
Thursday, April 10: Dandelion-Honey Pastry Chef Challenge at the Nicollet Island Pavilion, where local pastry chefs will compete against one another, building pastries that contain the key ingredient: dandelion honey. Our own pastry wizards Mary, Ann, and Amanda from the Seward Co-op Bakery will be entering the chef challenge with the Seward Bakery’s Honey Beez Cream Puffs.
More info below: