Manitoba Co-Operative Honey Producers Ltd, Winnipeg, MB

In the early 1950's a few Western Canadian beekeepers had a dream - a vision to form an organization, owned by Canadian beekeepers, that would have the capability to sell their quality Canadian honey throughout the world. Bee Maid Honey commenced operation in 1954 when the Manitoba and Saskatchewan Honey Co-Operatives agreed to market all their honey jointly. In 1961, the Alberta Honey Co-op participated with the Manitoba and Saskatchewan Co-Ops through Bee Maid Honey in developing the export market, and in 1962 began full participation in both the domestic and export markets.

In 1970 the Manitoba Co-Operative purchased the assets of the Saskatchewan Honey Co-Operative and amalgamated the membership. The Alberta Honey Producers Co-Operatives purchased the Honey Division of the Central Alberta Dairy Pool, situated at Bassano, Alberta, in 1976.

Thus, by 1976, the principle of beekeepers marketing their own honey was fully extended beyond provincial borders. Bee Maid Honey was.