How Your Food Can Save the Bees

Did you know that one out of every three bites of food we eat is made possible by bees and other pollinators? As well as helping our flowers to grow, theyre responsible for a third of our food.

In a Rolling Stone article, What is Killing Americas Bees and What Does it Mean for Us? , Beekeeper Jim Doan was at a loss when it came to his bees. His hives had gone from 5,600 in 2004 to just 275 in 2014. After searching for an answer, he heard from scientists at Penn State University, that a commercially available insecticide was to blame.

The chemical that was coated on these seeds, gets absorbed into the plant as it grows, making it predator-resistant. Great news for the farmers, bad news for everything else. Jim Doans bees were going to the farmers crops, rolling around in pollen and then not being able to function and going belly-up.

So now we know that bees are in a rapid decline, thanks largely to the increased use of pesticides and herbicides used on crops in North America, what can we do?

Well, in theory its simple. Organic and Non-GMO farming practices dont use pesticides (for insects) or herbicides (for weeds). They work with nature, including our friendly bees. Organic farming supports pollination with practices like planting native flowers and building strong eco-systems.

There are lots of organic choices out there, but dont just pick any. Find food that tastes really, really good and that isnt over-cooked or is bland.

For baby: Tiny Tummies is a Vancouver, BC based company, co-founded by the Giampa sisters. Theyre handcrafted with added amaranth and extra virgin olive oil to enhance nutrition. Plus theyre 100% organic with no added preservatives, sugar or salt. Find them here

For Grown-Ups: Natures Path Organic Foods have pretty much the best cereal and granola Ive ever eaten. If youre looking for a nutritious boost, try the Qia superseeds cereal. Or if indulgence is youre thing, then get the Love Crunch . Youll probably need two bags. One to eat and the other one to disguise the fact that you ate a whole bag in one sitting.

Oh, dont forget the snacks. As an Englishman, now living in Canada, Id never heard of Chicago Mix Popcorn. Cheese and caramel? Yuck, right? Wrong. So very wrong. Its amazing and I need some more right now. My personal favourite is the G.H. Cretors The Mix.

Coffee time? Yes, its always coffee time and one of my go-tos is another local brand, making big waves is Kicking Horse Coffee . From the Hola Ground (light) to Smart Ass (medium), Kiss Ass (dark) to Grizzly Claw (dark), theyve got what you need and are available on Amazon .

So, when youre next doing some gardening, throw some non-GMO seeds around the borders and stick to the organic fertilizer. Grow some vegetables to enjoy throughout the summer, but leave off the chemicals. Well all thank you for it!