Sustainability & Environment
Conservation & Demand Management Plan
The following Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan is written in accordance with O. Reg. 507/18: Broader Public Sector: Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plans (ECDM). Energy management initiatives can produce environmental, economic and social benefits, including reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, cost avoidance and increasing savings. As concerns surrounding energy availability and cost continue to rise, an energy management plan is a proactive step toward an effective long-term solution. Along with these benefits, energy efficiencies also promote local economic development opportunities, energy system reliability, and reduced price volatility. Our energy efficient capital and operating process improvements are key components to our success and will be outlined in our report. The St. Joseph's Care Group community is committed to the path of sustainability, in all aspects of our health care facility.
Conservation & Demand Report
Sustainability Initiatives
Gardening Meets Menus
Clients and staff alike are growing smiles by taking fresh to a whole new level. Guided by St. Joseph's Care Group's Green Team, a gardening committee, green spaces are popping up at a number of sites.
Throughout the summer, staff, tenants, and residents worked together to care for the garden spaces. When harvest time arrived, the fresh produce was shared across various sites and incorporated into meals for clients. For example, green onions from St. Joseph's Heritage were used at the Lodge on Dawson for a DIY Nacho night.
Fresh rosemary, chives and parsley were selected by residents of Bethammi Nursing Home to be grown in the balcony area - an area recently refreshed with thanks to St. Joseph's Foundation and a generous donation from Tbaytel. Upon harvest, the herbs are used by our Food Services staff to create delicious meals.
Gardening has planted the seed of generosity, with residents and staff alike generously showing their support through the donation of soil, as well as bedding plants including kale, Brussels sprouts, and tomatillos.
- This article is from the September 2024 Leadership Team Report to the Board of Directors, one of the ways we regularly report on our activities as an organization. Additional Leadership Team Reports are available here.
Growing Partnerships, Picking Nutrition
SJCG has been building community partnerships with local vendors to bring fresher, more sustainable produce to our clients. By working together, we're not only improving the quality of meals, but also supporting our local farmers and reducing our environmental footprint. Partnerships like these are central to SJCG's commitment to providing nutritious, locally sourced food to clients and residents.
One great example is our collaboration with Debruin's Greenhouses, who have been a valuable partner in providing over 1,100 pounds of tomatoes, 926 cucumbers, 300 heads of living lettuce, and 36 basil plants in just 6 months. These fresh, seasonal ingredients have added a wonderful variety and nutritional boost to the meals we serve in St. Joseph's Hospital, St. Joseph's Heritage, and Hogarth Riverview Manor. By sourcing locally, we're helping to reduce food transportation and build stronger community ties. Through these partnerships, we're making every meal a celebration of quality, sustainability, and community.
- This article is from the January 2025 Leadership Team Report to the Board of Directors, one of the ways we regularly report on our activities as an organization. Additional Leadership Team Reports are available here.
