Apiary Built at CIA as Part of Applied Food Studies Major
Instead of chef jackets and toques, some students at The Culinary Institute of America will soon be donning white beekeeping suits and hats with mesh face coverings for one of their classes. The world’s premier culinary college has created an apiary with beehives housing about 50,000 bees on its New York campus. The bees were delivered on May 2 and will be cared for by juniors and seniors in the project in Applied Food Studies course who raised funds for the project and built the hives.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, bees pollinate four out of every five flowering crops. They are necessary for all kinds of fruits, vegetables, and nuts, as well as the grains that keep the beef and dairy industries going. Professor Costura adds that without bees, the cost of food would skyrocket, creating crisis and unrest around the world.
In addition to being an invaluable hands-on learning experience for students, the CIA apiary—which includes the hives and the surrounding bee-friendly environment—is expected to produce up to 120 pounds of honey each year, to be used in the college’s baking and pastry classes and in dishes served at the award-winning restaurants on campus.
Posted 5/15/18 by Matthew
