Looking after our planet is vitally important and I feel passionately about it

My mission is not only to bring you beautiful, delicious cakes. It is to ensure that the way in which my cakes are made, distributed and marketed are with integrity, consciousness and with minimal harm to our environment.

I firmly believe in the phrase ‘do as you would be done by’ - treat others (including the planet) the same way you expect to be treated. That’s how I try to live my life, what I try to teach my daughter, and how I run my business.

My core business values include:

  • Acting with integrity at all times 

  • Promote collaboration over competition

  • Open and honest communication

  • Embrace change, new ideas and approaches

  • Continuously learning and improving

  • Inclusivity to all. Love has no labels, limits, race, gender or colour. 

I acknowledge the three pillars of sustainability: social, economic and environmental and ensure that all business decisions made take all three into consideration.

My aim was to be a carbon neutral business by the end of 2023, and through a huge amount of work in reducing my carbon footprint and ‘offsetting’ the rest, I achieved this. I hope to be investing in the necessary infrastructure in order to be net zero carbon by 2030. ‘Offsetting’ is achieved by investing in carbon sinks, such as Project Seagrass

In 2022 I conducted a carbon footprint audit of my cakes, using MyEmissions who calculate carbon emissions in the food industry. They have a traffic light rating system which is similar to those found on food labels in the supermarket, and also a letter value ranging from A-E. At the time, my wedding cakes, on average, were rated a D. By nature of their ingredients, cakes are quite high carbon emitters. Specifically, dairy ingredients (butter and eggs) and chocolate (both from cocoa and milk solids) are high-emission ingredients. As of January 2024, my cakes have dramatically reduced their carbon footprint and are rated much lower on the traffic light scale. My chocolate cake, as an example, has reduced emissions by 20%. This means that on average, my cakes are rated C.

I drive an electric car which I use for all my cake deliveries.

I have a zero waste policy in my kitchen. All cake offcuts are used to make other products such as cake pops, for example. I try to buy only what I need and not to stockpile ingredients. 

I use 1% plastic in the production, storing and selling of cakes, and am aiming for 0% as soon as is feasibly possible. I buy 98% of my ingredients/supplies in plastic free packaging. I use biodegradable/compostable/recyclable packaging, made from plants or previously recycled materials. 

Our energy is provided by 100% renewable energy sources. I have solar panels which produce the energy I need to make, store and distribute my cakes. I have also invested in Ripple - a community solar park project, which come the winter time will ‘top up’ our solar energy.

I do not provide physical allergen information, I email this information to each client/venue instead. This saves paper/printing/shipping and more packaging to dispose of, and this helps to reduce my carbon footprint.

My supply chain is very important to me. I work very hard to ensure good quality producers who also align with my values. However, due to circumstances beyond my control, there may be disruption to this supply chain and so alternatives may need to be sourced in order to fulfil orders.

Sustainability Policy

In line with my purpose and values, and to ensure the best possible chance of achieving my objectives of being sustainable across the whole business, I am pledging to:

  • Integrate sustainability considerations in to all my business decisions

  • Work with other sustainable businesses as much as is possible

  • Ensure that my products and services are responsibly sourced

  • Comply to the highest possible standard with all applicable food hygiene legislation and guidance.

Practical steps:

  • Quarterly reviews of my supply chain to ensure I am working with the right suppliers, who fit with my sustainability standards 

  • Review business that I work with regularly to see if they have appropriate sustainability policies in place

  • Make clients and other suppliers aware of my sustainability policy and encourage them to adopt a similar sustainability management standards

  • Create a quarterly report to track my sustainability targets, to make sure I am maintaining carbon neutrality

  • Continue to comply with relevant food hygiene standards and other food based legislation

Legal Constraints:

  • I need to ensure I am registered with Richmond Council, which I am, and will comply with their health and safety inspections when the time comes.

As I am a sole trader, this policy only applied to me as I do not outsource any aspect of my business. This also means that I can quickly and effectively change aspects of the business as necessary in order to remain compliant with my sustainability policy.

I conduct all reviews including a large annual review of the business, to ensure all standards are met on a continuous basis and that I comply with my sustainability policy at all times.

Last updated July 2024