Beans to Bees: The Coffee Blossom Honey Story
Many of us love our morning cup of coffee. As a matter of fact, over 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed in the world every day! Have you ever thought about where all these coffee beans come from?
90% of coffee production takes place in developing countries, mostly in Latin America. Traditionally, coffee farmers in these countries have relied on coffee as their main source of income. However, they often struggle to support their families between harvests or if a crop fails. In 2017, GloryBee began a partnership with the non-profit organization Food 4 Farmers to help coffee farmers supplement their income by starting beekeeping businesses and produce high-quality honey. Beekeeping for honey production and pollination solve social and environmental challenges that coffee farmers often face. Here are some of the ways, beekeeping helps solve some of these problems:
- Coffee production has been found to double when purposely pollinated by bees
- Honey harvest provides an off-season income for coffee farmers
- Honey sales provide an alternative source of income should the coffee farm fail
- Honey production does not require land ownership, making it an option for young people or disengaged members of the community
- 30% increased income for coffee farmers who keep bees through honey sales
1% of sales from our retail coffee blossom products goes to help support these coffee farmers through Food 4 Farmers. Funds raised will be invested in beehives, equipment, and training for coffee farmers who are working hard to make life a little sweeter for their families and communities. In 2017, we were able to help 25 coffee farmers get started in beekeeping. In 2018, our goal is to double that and help 50 coffee farmers get started in beekeeping by helping Food 4 Farmers raise $10,000.
To learn more about this partnership and how you can help, go to glorybee.com/food4farmers.