First off, we're so grateful to have faithful supporters, many for over 20 years, who have used and gifted our soaps for so long. In August a woman came into our booth at the MN State Fair with her husband. She shared that since her mom recommended our Tea Tree soap for her acne when she was in 8th grade, she has used no other soap since. We feel so honored to be trusted like that! To think Blue Heron Soaps are being passed down from generation to generation is beautiful and a testament to the high quality product Peggy developed way back in 1999!
Considering generations and where we are globally headed, one of the first tweaks to Blue Heron we made was to get rid of plastic packaging. After all, using bar soap is one of the small ways we can be earth friendly and move toward eliminating single use plastic packaging for daily household use. We replaced it with compostable cellulose fiber clear bags. Next we introduced a palm-free line of eco soaps using fair trade organic raw shea and cocoa butters hand processed by ladies in Ghana who are being empowered to educate their children while contributing to their community and working for Baraka (see Baraka Shea Butter). We're using recyclable shipping supplies and solar power for production. We will continue to strive to keep our footprint light while providing you and your loved ones hydrating and nourishing handmade soap and other products.
Like Baraka, we believe business can and should be a force for good, integrating social and business value with environmental stewardship. So all along while making soap and adding new products since 2020 we've donated at least 10% of our profits to our local food shelf (VEAP) and have supported other causes with soap donations to: support Children's Cancer Research through the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic, domestic violence awareness in Scott County, military wives pampering event in Virginia, various silent auctions and community development in Kitui, Kenya through Co-Alive. There are other causes we hold dear like clean water access, gender and racial equity with which Blue Heron will share profits. We are working toward focusing our giving, making it measurable and meaningful and opening the door for you to feel good about supporting causes that sustain our environment, keep children healthy, feed people, and give every human being a chance to be loved and valued.
