Celebrate World Bee Day at your local farmers’ market! This week, VFMA farmers' markets are celebrating World Bee Day where we celebrate bees for the work they do and the beekeepers who keep them safe. World Bee Day raises awareness of the important role bees play in food production and healthy diets. Two-thirds of our food production relies on bees. But bee populations are under threat. Destruction of their natural habitat, intensive farming practices, and pests and diseases are just some of the complex reasons driving a decline in both the number and diversity of bees. Without bees, our food security is at risk. There are over 20,000 species of bee that exist globally and Australia is home to around 2,000 species of native bee. Native bees have co-evolved with our unique native flora over thousands of years. Some species of plant can only be pollinated by a particular species of bee. In the absence of pollination, the plant species cannot reproduce so if that bee species dies, so too will the plant. Without bees, biodiversity is at risk. Bees are keystone species that play a vital role in preserving ecosystem health. Bees provide essential pollination services for plants. Maintaining plant diversity supports other essential ecosystem services including helping to regulate climate, purify air and water, build soil and recycle nutrients. Without bees, ecosystems are at risk. Shopping at a farmers’ market is one of the most bee-friendly ways to buy your fresh fruit and vegetables, honey and even your morning coffee, all of which depend on bees. So come and visit your local VFMA farmers' markets this week and wear yellow to show your appreciation for bees. For more information visit Australian World Bee Day and the UN's World Bee Day site.