First Lady Melania Trump announced on Friday an expansion of the White House honey program, introducing a new beehive shaped like the White House itself. This addition complements two existing hives that have resided on the south grounds since 2009.
Existing Hive Production
The current hives can house up to 70,000 bees during peak summer months, producing between 200 and 225 pounds of honey annually, according to the White House. The new hive is expected to increase honey production by approximately 30 pounds each year.
Uses of White House Honey
The clover honey harvested from these hives serves multiple purposes: it is used in White House meal preparation, given as official gifts from the president and first lady, and donated to local food kitchens. The bees also play a crucial role in pollinating a nearby produce garden, originally established by former First Lady Michelle Obama in 2009, as well as a flower cutting garden and vegetation along the National Mall.
The beekeeping initiative began in 2009 when a White House carpenter took up beekeeping as a hobby. The new hive was funded through the Trust for the National Mall, with the hive and its base designed by White House residence staff and handcrafted by a Virginia artisan.
