Pendray Inn and Tea House, a Biosphere, 4 Green-Keys and BC Green Business certified business, is dedicated to sustainability, prioritizing environmental stewardship and community well-being while delivering an exquisite guest experience.

The boutique establishment, known for its historic charm, daily breakfast offerings, and traditional afternoon tea service, has recently become the first restaurant in Canada to receive certification from The PLEDGE on Food Waste. With an impressive score of 93%, Pendray Tea House earned the Gold Level certification, highlighting its commitment to sustainability and food waste reduction. The PLEDGE on Food Waste is a globally recognized, third-party audited certification and benchmarking system designed to fight food waste, reduce costs, and support local solution providers.

The certification journey began in January and concluded successfully in June. A dedicated committee led the project, guiding Pendray Tea House through a significant learning curve. The team adopted several best practices to meet its food waste reduction goals, including categorizing food waste measurements, maintaining meticulous tracking systems, developing an action plan with measurable goals, benchmarking progress, and providing comprehensive team training. Chef Onille Pitogo’s creativity also played a crucial role in repurposing prep waste into new culinary items.

In January, Pendray Tea House’s average food waste per cover was 83 grams, already well below the national average of 388 grams per cover. By May, this figure had decreased to 60.5 grams per cover, marking a remarkable 27% reduction. This improvement resulted in an estimated $550 in savings for May alone.

The benefits of Pendray Tea House’s efforts extend beyond immediate cost savings. Reducing food waste contributes to environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and economic efficiency. In an era of climate change and uncertainty, Pendray Tea House is honored to lead by example as Canada’s first PLEDGE-certified restaurant.