07/29/2026
We are extremely disappointed to report that the grant we planned to apply for this year - The Utah Food Security Grant through UDAF and funded by the Rural Health Transformation Program - has decided to specifically exclude honey by calling it “added sugar” and thus “unhealthy”. This same grant included honey for many years. Apiculture is severely underfunded in this, The Beehive State, so this is yet another huge disappointment as we applied for this grant last year, got a good score, and had high hopes. Other food products specifically included in the grant (meat, dairy, fruit, and veggies) have no nutritional requirements or any exclusions other than being minimally processed. So this means bacon and butter are fine but honey is considered unhealthy. Not to mention most fruits have much higher total grams of sugar per serving compared to a serving of honey.
How can you help? Please consider sending a note during this public comment time to: [email protected]
It would be extremely helpful if you consider including some of the following points:
1. Honey has been included and considered a vital ag product in this state every year prior.
2. Honey cannot be considered the same as added sugar because it contains vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and pollen (protein) and is a raw ag product. It also has a lower glycemic index than sugar.
3. No other food product allowed in the grant has any nutritional requirements or exclusions.
4. Bees are necessary for the production of most of the food products allowed (fruit, vegetables, meat, and dairy) since all of the plants need pollination including animal feed crops. Excluding honey also excludes honeybees which are vital to the success of ensuring ag products to rural communities (the purpose of the grant).
Thank you friends! We will keep trying……
