We recently caught up with Olivia Nowek, Sales & Marketing Manager for Planet Bee Honey Farm, to learn more about what sustainability practices they have in place that sets them apart in the buzzing world of honey and honeybees. It is practically un-bee-lievable! Planet Bee Honey Farm is proudly Silver-level certified with Sustainable Tourism and you’ll see why as you read more about them below!
Tell us a bit about your business. What makes you different?
Planet Bee Honey Farm & Honeymoon Meadery is an operating bee farm in the picturesque Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada. We focus on presenting the “world of the honeybee,” and providing a full range of the finest bee products available for your pleasure and well-being. Planet Bee has chosen to participate and grow with the Sustainable Tourism Canada program because we see the value of the numerous suggestions we’ve received on becoming more sustainable and responsible stewards of our planet.
Why is sustainability important to you/your business?
Having worked with bees since the 1960s, Ed Nowek (owner) understands that this business could not survive without a healthy environment for his bees to thrive in. Sustainability has always been a part of our message with customers often asking us what they can do to help support a healthy bee population. We are quick to offer them several tips such as planting a bee-friendly garden, limiting their household use of pesticides and buying organic fruits & veggies. In addition, we suggest they ask their local farmers what they are doing to manage pests in a way that is mindful of the native pollinators.
Why did you join Sustainable Tourism?
We knew we were taking steps to limit our impact, yet we wanted to measure and see just how well we stacked up against the average Canadian business, and identify areas for improvement.
What sustainability-related projects, policies or initiatives do you most want travellers to know about?
Over the past year, we’ve supported our community through sponsorship of the Sustainable Development Challenge which challenges youth to address one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We are donating honey to the Mamas for Mamas charity as part of a new partnership on our honey tasting flight boxes, and we have added packaging-free, locally produced shampoo & conditioner bars to our product line up as well as continuing to promote our honey refill program to locals.
What are some goals and/or actions you plan to take in the future to further increase the sustainability of your business?
Once we can become owners of our building instead of renters, we would like to add electric vehicle charging infrastructure as well as look at expanding our outdoor learning space and natural vegetation cover.
Working with businesses who are committed to sustainability at their core is what we do here at Sustainable Tourism. We’re grateful to Planet Bee for putting bees first, working with their local community to progress Sustainable Development goals and support charitable organizations, and educating their customers and guests about the importance of healthy bee populations. Thank you, Planet Bee!
To learn more about Planet Bee Honey Farm, please buzz on over to their website or check them out on Facebook and Instagram.