Museum Bees Sweeten Up Downtown Little Rock with 2024 ‘Food of the Year’
Arkansas is buzzing with excitement as the Museum Bees in downtown Little Rock produce the state’s ‘Food of the Year’ – honey. This sweet treat is sourced from bees across the state and is a staple in many Southern dishes.
Visitors to the Museum Bees’ gift shop will find it filled with local crafts, home goods, and handmade items, including a special honey-based product made by Arkansas’ state insect, the European honey bee. This unique item showcases the state’s rich food heritage and its pride in honey production.
Arkansas is known for its rich culinary tradition, shaped by its ties to the South, Southwest, and Midwest. This global influence is reflected in the variety of dishes that incorporate honey as a key ingredient. From sweet to savory, honey is used to satisfy both taste buds and tummies.
The focus on honey highlights not only its importance in contemporary cuisine but also its significance throughout Arkansas’ history. The state’s foodways have been shaped by generations, from Paleoindian hunter-gatherers to the present-day restaurateurs.
As the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame celebrates honey as its 2024 ‘Food of the Year’, it underscores the role of this natural sweetener in defining the state’s food identity.