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Bring Back the Bees: An Un”Bee”lievable Reason

bring back the bees

I never knew that when I had kids I would become such an advocate for the planet. Before kids all I cared for was the moment I was in–now I want to ensure my little people have the chance to enjoy the planet long enough to have kids (and grandkids) and to do so with tummies that are full of good food.

Cheerio’s have always been a staple in our home. It was the perfect first finger food when my kids were learning to eat and they are still one of the few things I can put on the counter for breakfast that makes everyone happy. I even remember a hot blistering mid-July day in 1995 when my brother was born and his take-home bag of goodies contained a Cheerio’s snack container. That container may be long gone but the cereal still remains a part of our family.

        bring back the bees

Cheerio’s and Their Mission to Bring Back the Bees

It’s only fitting that the Cheerio’s from the past are now looking out for our future. With the bee population steadily declining due to changes in farming, the introduction of pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals, their own diseases and loss of their habitat, Cheerio’s has stepped in for year two of their Bring Back the Bees initiative. One in three bites of food we eat is only possible because of bees and other pollinators doing their jobs.

bring back the bees

Sitting around and watching them go extinct is not an option. Without bee’s our food supply will become almost depleted. That trifecta of mommy goodness also known as coffee, wine, and chocolate will be gone. This is the point when all moms will want to mobilize, am I right? But dear moms, it’s now time to mobilize our little armies–the kids and grandkids need to fight for their future. I always find my kids are the best at keeping me accountable and moving forward when I include them in the task at hand.

bring back the bees

This weekend only (March 11th and 12th) General Mills Canada and Cheerio’s invite the public to come and see the tragic effects of the loss of our pollinators in their pop-up activation. If you are near Toronto you should stop by (bring the kids) the grocery store of the future and see the tragic outcome if we don’t spring into action.

bring back the bees

Although the initial shock may take your breath away you will soon be swept into another display that is brimming with deliciousness. Fresh fruits and vegetables line the aisle, the shelves are stocked and it’s an optimistic and highly attainable goal to reach for.bring back the bees

You will learn about bees, beekeepers, and ways that we as stewards of our earth can not only help now but ensure a future of food for our offspring. We got to spend some time with Cheerio’s VP of Marketing, Emma Eriksson, Bee Expert and TED talk star, Dr. Marla Spivak, and Bring back the Bees Youth Ambassador, Hannah Alper and all renewed not only our need to do more but answered our questions.

bring back the bees

Grocery Store of the Future March 11th & 12th from 10 AM-6 PM
Location:
322 Queen Street West (Between Spadina and Peter Street)
Parking: Street parking is limited, however there is a parking facility on Adelaide just west of John

Can’t make it into the pop-up this weekend? Cheerio’s has you covered. In their mission to get 100 million wildflower seeds into Canadian hands, they have partnered with Vesey’s to make it possible. You can request your free wildflower seeds by clicking on the link below and planting it in your gardens, on your balconies, take them to your local park or forested area. The more of these flowers that are planted the more food our little bees will have. Fixing the food desert that is going on with the bees NOW will hopefully stop the future food desert that could happen to us.

Curious as to what wildflowers Vesey’s will be sending you? I know I wanted to do more than the seeds that they gave me and wanted to grab some of my own. The magical mix includes:

  • Forget-Me-Not, Chinese
  • Wallflower, Siberian
  • Poppy, California, Orange
  • Coneflower, Purple
  • Aster, China, Single Mix
  • Poppy, Corn
  • Coreopsis, Lance-Leaved
  • Flax, Blue
  • Baby Blue, Eyes
  • Gilia, Globe
  • Indian Blanket
  • Tidy – Tips
  • Coreopsis, Plains
  • Sweet Alyssum, Tall White
  • Hyssop, Lavender
  • Daisy, Fleabane
  • Forget-Me-Not
  • Aster, New England
  • Bergamot

Check out the Bring Back the Bees website and order your free seeds today. Take your kids to the pop-up activation as well. Sometimes all it takes is a chance to SEE the future–before it becomes a reality–in order to get the wheels moving for change.

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Our family got to attend the media preview of the activation. All opinions are my own.
Aneta Alaei
Aneta Alaei

Aneta is a Toronto-based mom of four that loves a good meal, great company, and learning something new. In her free time, you can find her trying to keep yet another plant alive.

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7 Comments

  1. Elizabeth Matthiesen
    April 12, 2017 / 4:03 pm

    I do hope that people are now more conscious of just how important bees are to our future survival as human beings. As you said it’s not just us, it’s our kids, grandkids and generations to come. We must look after the bees and see that they have all they need to survive or we won’t!

  2. Treen Goodwin
    April 17, 2017 / 9:33 am

    I have to remember to plant my seeds , thanks for the reminder , Bees are so important 🙂

  3. Calvin F.
    April 22, 2017 / 4:26 pm

    Awesome, i got the seeds. This is a nice program to spread awareness.

  4. May 23, 2017 / 12:31 am

    I am so happy that this vital information is getting around to eveyone and we are all doing our part to protect the bees and feed them.I too have planted seeds.

  5. Shirleyp
    May 25, 2017 / 9:05 pm

    I planted the seeds last year and have seeds ready to plant again this year

  6. Nate
    August 17, 2017 / 11:19 pm

    I want to plant the seeds to help the bees

  7. Sherry K
    December 2, 2017 / 7:03 am

    I did plant my seeds, but didn’t have much luck, I’ll try some different ones next year.