Honey Nut Cheerios launches "Bring Back The Bees" campaign to help bolster Canada's bee populations

Goal to plant 35 million wildflowers – one for every Canadian – across the country

TORONTO, March 14, 2016 /CNW/ - Canada's bees need help. Populations of the indispensable insects – upon which human survival depends – are unstable, so Honey Nut Cheerios is calling on Canadians to help Bring Back The Bees.

"One third of the foods we depend on for our survival are made possible by the natural pollination work that bees provide," said Emma Eriksson, Director of Marketing for General Mills Canada.  "With ongoing losses in bee populations being reported across Canada, we're issuing a call to action to Canadians to help plant 35 million wildflowers – one for every person in Canada."

In support of this mission, Honey Nut Cheerios is giving away free wildflower seeds packs and encouraging consumers to visit BringBackTheBees.ca to request theirs.

Renowned bee expert Marla Spivak, professor of Entomology at the University of Minnesota, is lending her support to the initiative.

"There are a range of threats to Canada's bee population, but among the biggest are the elimination of flowering plants and ground cover in urban and rural areas alike," Dr. Spivak said. "The goal of planting 35 million wildflowers will go a long way toward helping provide the natural habitat and food supply that is essential for healthy, sustainable bee colonies."

In the winter of 2014, Ontario beekeepers lost 58% of the province's honeybee population¹. After the winter of 2015, 16% of all Canadian bee colonies were lost, 38% in Ontario².

"We know Canadians are concerned about the state of things for our bees. Planting wildflowers is an easy, tangible way they can help – and it can be a fun, family activity as well," said Eriksson.

For more information, visit www.bringbackthebees.ca

About General Mills Canada Corporation

Established in 1954, General Mills Canada Corporation is based in Mississauga, Ontario.  The company is dedicated to serving the world by making food people love.  It's most popular products include Cheerios* and Honey Nut Cheerios* cereals, Nature Valley* snacks, Yoplait® and Liberte* dairy products, and Old El Paso* Mexican products.    

General Mills is a proud and long-time supporter of the Canadian Olympic team, Hockey Canada, Concerned Children's Advertisers and United Way.

*Trademarks of General Mills or its affiliates

® Trademarks of YOPLAIT MARQUES S.N.C. (France) used under license. 

¹ http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/ecojustice/wild-bees-need-our-help_b_8170216.html
² http://capabees.org/shared/2015/07/2015-CAPA-Statement-on-Colony-Losses-July-16-Final-16-30.pdf

SOURCE General Mills Canada

Emily McCullough, Veritas Communications, [email protected] / 416-955-4570