A charity organization established in Tuscany is
‘banking’ several tons of honey so that supplies are ready to be sent to the
sites of emergencies around the world, such as famine, earthquake and flood.
Why honey?
Apart from its long life (it does not spoil) and ease of storage, honey
contains many essential vitamins and natural antioxidants, and it is a great
source of carbohydrates, boosting energy and endurance.
‘Honey,’
explains the founder of the bank, Tuscan beekeeper Mario Andreini, ‘in addition
to being a complete food, and in some cases life-saving, is easy to use in all
locations, and eaten in all religions. It’s a bit like a “single currency.”‘
The idea for
the honey bank started after the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti, when 800 Tuscan
beekeepers sent some 20 tons of honey to help the stricken inhabitants of the
Caribbean island.
It took
seven months for the shipment to arrive, however, because of logistical and
bureaucratic problems. The new ‘honey bank’ avoids these issues, by involving
beekeepers from all over Italy and becoming recognized by foreign ministries
all over the world.
