Creating a Buzz

Pollinators are creating a buzz lately due to their diminishing numbers reported by some world agencies. Experts feel that numerous factors are contributing to affect pollinator populations, including mono-crop farming, increased use of chemicals, disruption of habitat due to an increasing world population, and the introduction of invasive plant and animal species. Although there is not one agreed-upon reason for their recent decline, we do know that their reduced population poses a threat to global food production and overall nutrition. 

What is Pollination?

Pollination occurs when pollen from flowering plants is moved from one flower to another by bees, insects, birds, butterflies, bats, small insects, or mammals, or by the wind. Pollen is the yellow dust that you see clinging to a blossom that bears a plant’s male sex cells and is vital in the reproductive cycle. This process is called fertilizing, which allows the plants to reproduce, flower, and bear fruit and if this process is disrupted then food crops are impacted negatively. Pollination and pollinators are vital to overall food production, as many of the following crops that we depend on require fertilization including apples, peaches, apricots, strawberries, blueberries, corn, squash, cucumbers, chocolate, coffee, melons, potatoes, pumpkins, vanilla, almonds, and many more. This partial list exemplifies the importance of pollinators and how they play a crucial role in ensuring growing healthy, ample food to feed our growing population. 

Ensuring Wholesome Food 

 As a catering and healthy lifestyle food company, Bex Kitchen is concerned about food production and ensuring wholesome food, and we are doing our part to be eco-sound and sustainable. We source locally-grown products from small farms and local food purveyors. choosing foods that are in harmony with the seasons, reducing the need for transportation and thus lowering our overall impact on the environment. Packaging is a large part of our industry and we made a commitment to sustainable packaging from our inception. Our use of plant-based packaging and biodegradable plastics and cardboard is another way to help reduce our overall carbon footprint.

What can you do to help?

Adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle is a great start toward the preservation of pollinators as well as living more sustainably. Providing natural habitats, reducing your carbon footprint and living, locally will all aid the pollinators. Attracting pollinators to your garden is a great way to help them thrive in your area and increase in numbers. Growing native plants and installing bird, bat, or bee houses will help entice them and keep them coming back to your area, helping their population to grow. Reverting your lawn to flower beds is a great way to encourage wildlife habitat. Reducing pesticides and choosing natural products will also aid the pollinators as well as reduce your carbon footprint. Sourcing locally grown products, eating in season, and reducing overall consumption are great ways to start living a more environmentally friendly life. You will know you have been successful in helping the pollinating population when you will see the critters in your garden.