If you’ve wandered through the St. Paul’s Hospital cafeteria lately, you may have noticed something new blooming—no, not the basil plants from someone’s windowsill experiment, but the Providence Food Pledge Tree!
Launched at the 2025 St. Paul’s and Mount St. Joseph sustainability fairs, the tree has taken root as a living display of the small and creative commitments Providence staff and medical staff are making toward healthier eating and a healthier planet.
And here’s the best part: it’s not about perfection.
It’s about choosing one change—big or small—that feels right for you this year. Creative improvement over perfection.
Here’s just a taste of the pledges from fellow colleagues, already hanging from the branches. Even Providence CEO, Fiona Dalton, made a pledge included below:
“Make and eat more tofu-based lunches for work.”
“Eat less red meat.”
“Give plant‑based food fun and tasty names.”
“Buy more dried beans, lentils and pulses. They never go bad!”
“Prepare a dinner using seitan—I’ve never used it before.”
“Commit to 3 vegan meals every week.”
“Serve yummy vegetarian food when we have company.”
“Eat the rainbow. 😊”
“Learn how to use more herbs and spices to flavour veggie dishes.”
“Have a reusable container on hand when I buy meals out.”
“Shop at farmers’ markets.”
“Less dairy, more plants.”
“Soy baby!” (Instant classic.)
It’s inspiring to see the diversity of commitments—some food‑focused, some planet‑focused, some flavour‑focused. All are doable. All are meaningful. And together, they make a forest of possibilities.
Why a pledge tree?
Because small changes add up. And when we see what others are trying—whether it’s adding a salad to meals or finally figuring out what to do with lentils—we’re more likely to try something ourselves.
The Food Pledge Tree is an initiative of the Environmental Stewardship Team’s Food Working Group, who help spark conversations and create space for staff and medical staff to explore and learn more about food sustainability.
