Here are three stories I picked up this past week that I want to share with you.
Bee Story #1: The Brooklyn Bees.
Hurricane Irene created havoc in Ft. Greene Park in Brooklyn, NY. when the storm exposed a huge beehive in a hollowed out branch in a tree in the park. Hoping to obtain a great swarm, two beekeepers arrived on the scene at the same time. A lot of buzzing ensued, and most of it came from the two rival beekeepers! Hah! You can read more about this encounter by clicking on this photo.
Hive exposed by Hurricane Irene in Brooklyn, NY.
Bee Story #2: White House Honey
The First Beehive, next to Michelle Obama’s vegetable garden, produced an incredible 225.5 pounds of honey this year! Located on the South Lawn of the White House, the bees have had plenty of nectar from all the surrounding flowering trees. The honey is used for cooking and baking in the WH kitchen, as gifts to foreign dignitaries, and has even been brewed into an ale. Click on the photos for more info.
White House Honey Ale
White House Honey jar
White House beehive
Bee Story #3: Why You Should Eat Local Honey
- U.S. consumes 400 million pounds of honey…. about 1.3 pounds per person
- 35% is consumed directly in homes, restaurants and institutions
- 65% is used in cereals, baked goods, sauces, beverages and processed foods
- U.S. can only supply about half of this demand.
- 40% comes from reliable suppliers in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Uruguay and Mexico
- 60% comes from Asian countries, mainly China
- Because much of the honey from China has been shown to be tainted with illegal antibiotic and heavy metals, it is illegal to import it into Europe.
- In 2001, the U.S. Commerce Department imposed a stiff tariff on Chinese honey to try to halt the dumping of cheap honey into the American market
- Because of all these restrictions, the Chinese are concealing the origin of their honey, sending it to other countries and relabeling it.
- They are processing the honey by ultrafiltration to remove “floral fingerprints” and indicators of added sweeteners.
Do you know where your honey came from?
You will if you buy your honey from your local beekeeper!
HI Bob, I always enjoy your bee news. I read a couple of the articles mentioned and was amazed at the honey produced near the White House. Only wish the President had as much success with his Presidency as with his bees.
WOW!!!! That’s an incredible amount of honey in one season. I think it’s fabulous that the First Family is so eco-conscieous.