Bees and honey as tools to improve public engagement in science

Abstract Food is not only a source of nutrition, but it also represents a wealth of meanings, cultural values,  and worldviews. In the globalization of economies and societies, the choice of food becomes a mirror of the relationship between individuals and community, between humans and nature. In this vision, honey is a representative example of the fact that food and territory cannot be separated, and that guaranteeing a healthy environment for bees and then for us demonstrates a sense of awareness and responsibility by individuals. To encourage people to act consciously, the nonprofit organization BUONO designs and transforms beehives into artwork illustrating the discoveries of the greatest scientists. It also uses social networks to involve users. The project educates users on honey and bees and conveys a message about the importance of study and research to share problems and objectives. “I Venti Buoni” (the Good Winds) project is an advanced example of food design because it shows how different material and immaterial elements are incorporated into the honey production–distribution–consumption cycle, which helps us better understand what we currently eat and encourages us to think about what we will eat in the future.