Bert Blackburn and Rein Verbeek, president and treasurer of the Tampa Bay Beekeepers Association, confirmed that the deadline for pre-paid vouchers was met in June. “Many, many, many thanks to everyone who made this come to fruition,” the FSBA announced on its website. “On Monday, June 2, the final of the 3,000 pre-sale vouchers needed to get the plate in production were purchased.”
Local beekeepers emphasize the importance of honeybees in pollinating many crops, with approximately one-third of the world’s food supply reliant on their efforts. An EarthDay.org report highlights that annual losses of honeybee colonies have averaged 40 to 50 percent over the past decade, driven by factors such as colony collapse disorder, climate change, certain pesticides and habitat fragmentation. This year, researchers project that declines could reach up to 70 percent, with some estimates as high as 90 percent.
