Australia’s beekeepers are doing it tough.
Between imported honey driving down prices, climate extremes, and threats like the Varroa mite, it’s getting harder for small-scale beekeepers to do what they love — and to keep doing it in a way that protects the health of their bees and our environment.
But here's the thing: without bees, there is no food. And without beekeepers, there are no bees.
That’s why we’ve launched an initiative that puts real support behind local Australian beekeepers — and real funds into saving the bees.
What Is the Varroa Mite and Why Is It So Dangerous?
Varroa mites (Varroa destructor) are an external parasite of the honeybee. Originally from Asia, they’ve spread globally and have become a major threat to bee populations in countries like the US, UK, and New Zealand. Until recently, Australia was the only major beekeeping nation to remain free of the pest.
Unlike other parasites, Varroa doesn’t just harm individual bees, it causes the collapse of entire colonies.
The mites feed on developing bee larvae and adult bees, transmitting deadly viruses like Deformed Wing Virus (DWV). A hive infested with Varroa can go from healthy to gone within weeks.
In countries where Varroa has taken hold, beekeepers are forced to treat their hives with chemical miticides just to survive. It's costly, time-consuming, and not always effective.
The Australian Outbreak: Where We’re At
Since the first detection in NSW, thousands of hives have been euthanised in containment efforts. While biosecurity teams are working hard to limit the spread, Varroa is proving difficult to stop - and most experts agree it's now here to stay.
For Australian beekeepers, the future just got a lot more uncertain.
For wild bees and hobbyist backyard beekeepers, it's even worse. Without proper management tools or funding, they’re highly vulnerable to colony collapse - which could affect native pollination ecosystems for years to come.
Here's what our founder has to say about the crisis.
What We’re Doing About It
We're not here to just raise awareness. We’re doing something practical.
Each month, we will team up with a different Aussie beekeeper to showcase their honey.
You’ll see their name, their story, and their region - and know exactly where your honey comes from.
No middlemen. No bulk blending. Just honest honey, supporting honest people.
On top of that, 100% of the profits from the campaign will be donated to the incredible to at Save the Bees Australia, a not-for-profit that rescues hives, plants pollinator-friendly habitat, and campaigns for a bee-friendly future.
Why It Matters
The numbers are simple but serious:
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One in three bites of food depends on bee pollination
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Bee populations globally are under threat
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Without small-scale ethical beekeepers, we lose more than honey — we lose biodiversity
We believe in creating real change. That means doing the work to protect bees and backing the people who make that possible. When you buy one of our featured honeys, you’re helping keep hives healthy and local beekeeping alive.
Where Your Money Goes
Here’s how every jar helps:
🟡 To the Beekeeper:
We buy honey in bulk directly from each featured beekeeper, at wholesale prices they set. That means they’re paid fairly upfront, with no middlemen or supermarket markups.
🟡 To Save the Bees Australia:
100% of profits from these sales are donated to Save the Bees Australia, supporting hive rescues, native bee education, and community-led pollination projects.
🟡 To the Cause:
You're helping build a cleaner, more transparent food system, no shortcuts, no fake “local” claims, no imported blends.
Meet Our First Beekeeper: Carl from Hampson Honey
We’re kicking things off with Carl from Hampson Honey, a small family-run operation keeping hives on national forestry land in rural Queensland.
Carl produces raw, unfiltered honey that’s never heated above hive temperature — keeping the natural nutrients and flavour intact.
For one week only, we’re featuring his honey in-store and online. 100% of profits will be donated to Save the Bees Australia.
How You Can Help
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Buy a jar.
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Tell your friends. The more jars we sell, the more support we give.
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Learn about the beekeeper behind your honey. Because when you know where it comes from, it just tastes better.
How to Find Local Beekeepers Near You
One of the best ways to get involved is to buy directly from the people doing the hard work.
Our good friend Simon Mulvany at Save the Bees Australia has created an incredible resource to help you do exactly that: the Community Honey Map.
This interactive map connects you with ethical, small-scale beekeepers across the country who are selling pure, raw Australian honey. No heat treatment. No dilution. No overseas blending. Just the real thing, straight from hive to jar.
The Bottom Line
This isn’t just about honey. It’s about backing the people who protect our bees and doing our part to keep pollinators, food systems, and biodiversity alive.
