The announcement coincides with the launch of its De Winkel All Natural Gourmet Fruit Yoghurt range.

NBA spokesperson, Daniel Paul, explains bees pollinate roughly one third of everything New Zealanders eat, but they need help. “In addition to the critical role bees play in our food supply, they contribute about $5.1 billion to the New Zealand economy.  But the bees are under threat from the Varroa mite, honey imports, insecticides and a general lack of food supply – in other words, plants for bees to pollinate.  We’re grateful to have De Winkel on board as a partner to help us spread the word.”

Food supply for bees is where De Winkel plans to step in to help, explains company Marketing Manager, Steph Hague. “The NBA has told us that one way all New Zealanders can help the bees is to plant bee-friendly plants including flowers, herbs, fruits, vegetables, trees, shrubs and climbers.  So, De Winkel is now on a mission to help create a bee-friendly planting movement.”

This activity will be highlighted by the donation of a bee-friendly garden to the Sustainable Living Centre Organic Gardens and Community Allotments in New Lynn in September. “We’ve commissioned landscape designer extraordinaire, Tony Murrell, to design a bee friendly garden for the community garden in New Lynn.  We will be donating all of the plants and materials as well, and the community is invited to join us to bring it to life in September. Stay tuned for details,” says Hague.

Over 110,000 bee-friendly seeds will be distributed into the hands of New Zealanders through in-store consumer promotions at New World and Pak’n Save supermarkets and via seed paper inserts in magazines.  De Winkel says every pack of its yoghurt sold will help the NBA and the company to help the bees. 

Consumers can also connect online to De Winkel’s website and Facebook page for bee-friendly planting tips.