Why Bees Matter More Than Ever - And Why I’m So Proud Garden of Life Is Taking Action with UBEES

Every once in a while, you meet someone who completely reshapes the way you see the world. For me, that person was Arnaud Lacourt, co-founder of UBEES. Listening to him talk about bees—their behavior, their brilliance, their irreplaceable role in our ecosystems—was nothing short of transformative.

Arnaud doesn’t just care about bees; he lives and breathes their world. He can describe in vivid detail how a queen bee uses her pheromones to coordinate an entire hive, or why bees swarm when the colony gets too crowded or the queen ages—splitting the hive so new life can begin. His passion is contagious, and his message is urgent: without bees, we simply cannot survive.

And he’s right.

Over the past decade, the world has lost nearly half of our bee population. This is devastating when you consider:

• Bees pollinate 1/3 of the food we eat.
• They boost the productivity of 75% of global food crops.
• They are essential to biodiversity, feeding entire ecosystems as they pollinate wild plants.

Bees are much more than honey-makers. They are environmental guardians—silent workers who keep nature in balance, signal when ecosystems are stressed, and sustain the ingredients many companies, including ours, rely on.

For Garden of Life, this hits especially close to home. Bees are primary pollinators of the whole-food ingredients that form the foundation of so many of our supplements. Supporting bees is not just about sustainability—it’s supply chain resilience.

I’m thrilled Garden of Life has joined UBEES in a global response to the decline of pollinators.

Together, we’re installing beehives at our Garden of Life factory—a concrete, meaningful step that supports:

Biodiversity - Bees transfer pollen from flower to flower, enabling wild plants to reproduce and maintain the genetic diversity that keeps ecosystems healthy.

Food Security - About 75% of global crops depend on pollination. When bee populations thrive, so do the crops that feed our world.

Ecosystem Health - Bees help maintain habitats for countless species. Their presence signals environmental balance; their decline warns us when something is off.

Better Outcomes for Farmers - More effective pollination means higher yields, better crop uniformity, and increased income stability for farming communities.

I’ll be first in line to savor the honey from our Garden of Life hives—honey that symbolizes not only nature’s brilliance, but also Garden of Life’s commitment to restoring the health of people and the planet.

But supporting bees doesn’t start or end with corporate initiatives. Each of us can make a difference.

1. Grow Plants Bees Love - Even a single pot of lavender, basil, borage, chives, or rosemary can provide essential food for local pollinators.
2. Choose Local Honey - Every jar supports beekeepers who are helping maintain healthy, sustainable colonies.
3. Rethink Pesticides - Avoiding harmful chemicals and choosing natural alternatives creates safer habitats for bees—and every creature that depends on them.

There’s a reason for the buzz around bees: they’re the key to unlocking regenerative agriculture, healthy ecosystems, and a thriving planet. When bees struggle, our environment is telling us something. When we protect them, we protect our future.