Reusable Food Wraps Made From Beeswax

Reusable Food Wraps Made From Beeswax Bees Wrap makes sustainable, reusable wraps that work for everything from storing food in the fridge to packing sandwiches and snacks on the go. “Bee’s Wrap started with a simple idea: make it easy to cut down on plastic and store food sustainably,” says Brendan Taylor, the company’s CEO. “In 2012, our founder, Sarah Kaeck, turned to bees, nature’s most productive and protective foodies, for inspiration.” Kaeck created a durable, pliable beeswax food wrap by infusing organic cotton with a blend of beeswax, plant oil and tree resin. “While Sarah has moved on from the business, we continue to make Bee’s Wrap right here in Middlebury, Vt., and we’re still a proud B Corp and member of 1% for the Planet.” Bee’s Wrap has many benefits. “First, it’s reusable,” Taylor says. “With a little care, you can use Bee’s Wrap about a hundred times before ‘retiring it’ to the compost pile or using it as a natural fire starter. Best of all, it just works. It seals easily with the warmth of your hands around your food or dish. “Unlike most conventional wraps, it’s not completely airtight. The waxed fabric allows a small amount of airflow, creating the ‘just right’ environment for storing many foods. This airflow helps to avoid leafy greens getting slimy, helps to keep the crust fresher on stored bread, and helps to prevent cheese from getting ‘sweaty’ when it’s sealed tightly.”  Unlike plastic wraps, these wraps are natural, compostable, and made from four simple ingredients: organic cotton, beeswax, organic plant oil, and tree resin. The wraps are made through a highly manual process. “We have a team here in Middlebury that coats organic fabric in just the right amount of our wax blend,” says Taylor. “We let it cool and dry, cut it to size, fold it by hand, and put it in individual packages.” Vegan wraps are also available, using candelilla wax as a substitute for beeswax. This compound, combined with soy wax, organic coconut oil, and tree resin, creates a pliable food wrap that looks and feels like beeswax. The wraps can be stored in the fridge, on a counter, or in a lunch bag. To use, let the warmth of your hands shape the Bee’s Wrap around the food to create a protective yet breathable seal. After use, wash the wraps with cool water and mild dish soap, then drape them over a drying rack to air-dry. Avoid all heat sources, including warm water, microwaves, ovens, hot cars and not-quite-cooled leftovers. The wraps will smell like beeswax for the first few uses, though the scent will fade with washing. The company’s bestseller is a 3-pack ($19.99) of small, medium and large wraps. Next is the Bread Wrap ($14.99), an extra-large wrap big enough to hold a loaf of bread. “Our repeat customers often gravitate to our rolls ($24.99), which they can cut into whatever size meets their need,” Taylor says. The wrap will last about a year with proper care. You’re due for an upgrade once the wrap has worn thin and no longer sticks to itself. Rather than tossing the wrap, consider cutting it into strips to add to your home compost pile or use as a natural fire starter. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Bee’s Wrap, 383 Exchange St., Middlebury, Vt. 05753 (ph 802-643-2132; info@beeswrap.com; www.beeswrap.com).

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