Honey bees play an integral role in food production as prolific pollinators of the plants we rely on for survival.
Bees pollinate over 100 different U.S. crops, adding over $15 billion in value annually. Their work sustaining our food system often goes unnoticed, yet without them many of our meals would be far less diverse and nutritious.
Key fruits and vegetables, including apples, strawberries, blueberries, cherries, broccoli, and cucumbers, require insect pollination to thrive. Bees also pollinate almond, sunflower and other nut trees which provide us with healthy snacks and cooking ingredients. Spice crops such as mustard seed also rely on bee pollination. Even animal products like beef depend on bee-pollinated hay and other forage.
The sheer number of crops pollinated by bees underscores their place in agriculture and our food system. From fruits and vegetables to nuts and spices, bees enable varied and healthy diets for humans and animals. Declining bee populations jeopardizes agricultural yields and human nutrition nationwide. Protecting bees is an imperative to ensure thriving farms, robust food production, and continued dietary variety and balance.
Infographic: Top crops pollinated by honey bees
