It’s time we had that talk, yes, I am talking about “the birds and the bees!”

Did you know that bees and other pollinators, including hummingbirds, are needed for more than two-thirds of the world’s crop species?

I was shocked when I learned that one out of every three bites of food is pollinated by honeybees, bumblebees, hummingbirds, and monarch butterflies, as well as the hawk moth and the firefly!

Many of us make a conscious effort to show appreciation for where our food comes from and the hard work that goes into growing, raising, and harvesting it. I love to shop locally, meet local farmers, and learn about their farming practices.  But I too often forget to give thanks to the unsung heroes: bees and their fellow pollinators.  Shame on me!

At this point, you are probably wondering why a registered dietitian is getting all sappy about bees.  Here’s why…