What is the Buzz with Organic Honey? An Expert Opinion from Latina Corner
It has been a commonly known worry that thousands of bee species across the globe have been reported to decline in numbers, heading closer towards extinction. On 20 May 2018, the United Nations declared the first International Bee Day to raise awareness of the extinction of bees and the importance of conservation. In commemoration of International Bee Day, it is important to note how our lifestyles can have an influence on the ecosystem and natural habitats. While there are plenty of efforts to be made about conserving bee species across the globe, it can be beneficial to start with the aspect of consumption.
When it comes to purchasing honey, is this good for the conservation of bees? It depends, yet there is one simple answer: The best way is to purchase organic honey from local farmers and small producers. Organic honey purchases from local farmers ensure that the orchards where bees feed are free of pesticides and other harmful substances that could weaken their hives. Additionally, the bee colonies are more likely to be treated better by their beekeepers and are able to live and operate in a more natural way.
The concern with purchasing commercial honey from larger corporations is that there is no guarantee that the honey is ethically collected. Factory-farmed honey bees normally live in unnatural living conditions which can cause genetic manipulation and stressful transportation. Most factory farms will also collect all of the honey from the hives, leaving little to no honey for the bees to survive during the winter months or off-seasons. When beehives are shown to have diseases or parasites, the entire hives are often burned as a whole with the colonies still instead of relocating the bees to a new hive.
One of our HHM Members Latina Corner is an avid supporter of purchasing sustainable, high-quality organic products from small farmers and businesses within Mexico, with one of their specialty products being honey.
Latina Corner is based in Mexico City and is working closely with small businesses from the surrounding areas, as well as beekeepers from the Netherlands. As described by one of the beekeepers from the Netherlands, "We are interested in making organic products without pesticides and GMO products. This is much better for the honey and for the bees and the best way to save the bees: By finding the harmony between the producer and nature".
In general, consumption of organic products is shown to help vitalize ecosystems for bees and other wildlife due to the avoidance of pesticides and other toxic chemicals. While the species of honey bees that produce commercial honey are all originated from Europe, native bees are equally as important to maintain local ecosystems, hence the use of pesticides and toxins are detrimental to their survival.
In support of our local farmers and most important pollinators, it is important to be conscious of where we consume our produce, and most notably, our honey.
We would like to thank Latina Corner for giving their expert opinion on the matter. Check out their website to read more about their sustainable product line and the small companies they support: latinacorner.com