Pass the Honey was founded on the idea that a small company, committed to transformative systems change could make a disproportionate difference in the world through the right combination of vision, partnership, and technical capability.
We represent a select few who see the potential impact from disrupting the $13 billion fraudulent honey industry using sophisticated technology, context-specific standards for honey production and quality, and a strong vision for a future where business contributes to the well-being of the ecologies, human communities, and economies that it interacts with.
One of the primary drivers of Pass the Honey’s mission is to confront rampant fraud in the honey industry. According to research up to 70%, of honey in the global market is adulterated by blending with sugar syrups or many other methods of adulteration.
Fake honey, deceives consumers and floods markets with a cheap product, driving honey prices so low beekeepers are having a hard time staying in business.
In order to address this level of fraud in the industry, Pass the Honey establishes trusting partnerships directly with beekeeper suppliers so we know how our honeycomb was produced and have full traceability and transparency from beekeeper to consumer.
Pass the Honey partners with beekeepers and landowners to forge a path for regenerative honeycomb in a way that addresses the industry's biggest challenges and ultimately leads to a healthier food system and planet.
We define regenerative beekeeping as, a holistic approach to beekeeping that positively impacts honey bees health, beekeeper livelihood, and surrounding ecosystems, providing consumers with an unadulterated, nutrient dense, food that ultimately contributes to a thriving food system and planet.
To achieve this lofty aim, we have established the first (and only) research project dedicated to regenerative honey production in the United States.
Regenerative supply is first and foremost also authentic. All products purchased by Pass the Honey must adhere to the following testing requirements:
⦿ Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) test result with no direct adulteration by: syrups, dilution, ultrafiltration, and heating.
⦿ NMR test will result with no indirect adulteration by: feeding of sugar water, syrups or other nectar substitutes, to honey bees during harvest or early harvesting.
⦿ No contamination from antibiotics, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and other industrial contaminants above minimum residue thresholds established by the USDA.
⦿ Pollen test confirms the authenticity of origin.
Test results showing any adulteration or contamination levels above approved thresholds will be cause for Pass the Honey to reject product.
We were shocked to learn it is nearly impossible for beekeepers in the United States to produce honeycomb that is not contaminated with pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals. In response we established the Regenerative Honeycomb Initiative (RHI).
RHI is a research initiative that aims to research and develop how beekeepers and land managers in the US can work together to produce regenerative honeycomb. Pass the Honey has created partnerships with sustainable timber landowners to commit 1.1M+ acres of honeybee forage zone to research.
Pass the Honey is a founding member and current Chair of the Regenerative Agriculture Working Group (RAWG). The RAWG is a multi-stakeholder group gathering beekeepers, land owners, researchers, honey buyers, consumer educators, ecologists and regenerative designers at a shared table for the purpose of identifying and working towards systemic solutions to the many challenges beekeepers and honey bees experience.
We aim to organize the honey industry and its stakeholders around regenerative practices, focusing on standards, testing and education, in order to create a value retentive beekeeping model.
Industry-wide evolution is possible. This is how:
⦿ Develop Regenerative Apiculture Standards
⦿ Educate About Regenerative Apiculture
⦿ Develop Regenerative Practices and Outcomes Manual
⦿ Fund Applied and Interdisciplinary Research
⦿ Strengthen Networks of Landowners and Beekeepers
⦿ Coordinate Suppliers and Brands Leading Industry Change
