A recent journey took us to the charming town of Frome, nestled in the heart of the southwest of England, to meet Emmy Burbridge, a local beauty expert with a passion for sustainable palm oil. Emmy’s fascinating journey led her to create a documentary with the BBC, and we were eager to hear her insights. 

If you ever find yourself in Somerset or passing through this picturesque region, a visit to Frome is an absolute must. It’s a place where independent shops and delightful eateries abound, making it the perfect destination for a day out.

Along with (business owner) Sakina and our marketing team, Lisa and Daisy, we headed to Eight Stoney St, a charming restaurant overlooking the cobblestone streets of Catherine Hill, to engage in a conversation with Emmy about her experiences with sustainable palm oil.

We also took it as an opportunity to gift Emmy some Ministry of Soap, made here in Somerset using RSPO certified sustainable palm oil.

From the moment we met Emmy, it was evident that her trip had left an indelible mark on her. She passionately shared her observations about the stark contrast between regions where palm oil is sustainably sourced and those where it is not. Her accounts revealed a stark reality: in areas where palm oil is harvested unsustainably, families struggled with limited access to food and endured widespread health issues, even among children.

Sharon (Sakina’s sister in law) also visited the palm planations in Papa New Guinea this Summer on our behalf, so we were keen to confirm both first-hand accounts of how our supplier treats workers fairly and considers conservation throughout the planting and harvesting process.

Emmy fondly reminisced about her journey, acknowledging that it had broadened her horizons and ignited a desire to explore more places with her young daughter. Although there were moments on her trip where she felt extremely unsafe, she doesn’t regret it at all. She is still in contact with some of the people she met on her journey.

Her ongoing transformation into a conscious shopper was undeniable, and as a small business owner running ‘E&E Aesthetics,’ a successful beauty salon in Frome, Emmy was committed to using only cruelty-free, vegan, and sustainably sourced ingredients in her products.

During our conversation, we discussed our vision of rallying advocates for sustainable palm oil, uniting businesses and individuals in our community to put Somerset on the map as a hub for sustainable sourcing.

If you know someone who shares this passion and commitment, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’d love to connect and hear from you as we embark on this meaningful journey toward a more sustainable future. Together, we can make a difference!