Queen's Fund

Queen’s now has an apiary that is producing honey for the campus community, while promoting sustainability and local food production.

Queen’s Hospitality Services and Aramark, the university’s food service provider, have partnered with Don Foster, a local registered commercial beekeeper, to set up a bee farm near Richardson Stadium.

The apiary is a two-year pilot project, and student representatives on the Housing and Ancillary Services’ Sustainability Working Group provided input as part of its development.

The four hives house an estimated 240,000 bees and are projected to produce approximately 500 pounds of honey this harvesting season, which has already begun. The apiary bee is non-aggressive and bred for calmness, with a low tendency to swarm. The farm is not open to the public and access is managed and led by the professional beekeeper. 

Queen’s Bee's Honey will be used across Hospitality Services’ food operations, including campus dining halls and catering services. A retail supply will be available for sale in a number of retail food locations on campus, and online through Campus Market. 

The apiary is just one of many initiatives that the Queen’s community is advancing to keep sustainable food sources thriving on campus.  

  • Queen’s students and employees are growing their own vegetables using plots in three on-campus community gardens, one of which is helping keep the AMS Food Bank stocked.
  • PEACH, the AMS-run pay-what-you-can market, will help reduce food waste by making untouched food from our dining halls available at accessible prices. 

At the same time, our researchers are working toward sustainable solutions that will help minimize the impact of disruptions in the global supply chain: 

  • Dr. Bruce Tufts is leading research into new aquaculture technologies that will enable year-round commercial fish production in Northern Canada.
  • The Queen’s Vertical Farming Team is exploring new technologies to grow organic crops indoors in any location, at any time of year.
  • And several Queen’s researchers are examining systemic root causes of hunger, poverty, and inequality. 

You may be wondering if there’s a role for you to play. Fortunately, there is. By giving to the Queen’s Fund, you’re supporting students and researchers who are advancing innovative solutions on campus and beyond. 

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