Jenny's View

A Sustainable Future

Dear Friends,

Reflecting on over 100 years of hospitality has us thinking about how to best forge a path for future success. As the planet faces mounting pressure for resources, we’re focusing our efforts on business practices that make sense for the well-being of our community.

I’m thrilled to announce that we’ve created a Sustainability Committee comprised of staff members working in various roles throughout the hotel to inspire a collaborative approach to best practices related to environmental stewardship. Food and Beverage, Housekeeping, Sales & Marketing and Banquets are participating in this important initiative designed to exchange ideas and brainstorm improved business practices. By forming a committee of enthusiastic staff members, we will better hold ourselves accountable for sustainability efforts.  I look forward to following their progress!

Here's just some of the sustainable initiatives we have in place:
 

Waste Reduction: In January, we are implementing measures to minimize waste across all our operations. From the kitchen to guest services, we're committed to cutting down on single-use plastics and encouraging responsible waste disposal. We are eliminating our single-use plastic water bottles altogether and have installed filtered water stations on each floor of the hotel to encourage use of reusable bottles. Our food and beverage operations utilize eco-friendly, recycled takeout containers, and use only washable cloth napkins, towels, and table linens. The maintenance team at La Fonda recycles 2,250 pounds of cardboard each week! This results in approximately 117,000 pounds of recycled cardboard annually. In addition, we repurpose over 24,960 gallons of glass each year!

  

Energy Efficiency: La Fonda is investing in energy-efficient technologies to reduce our carbon footprint. From LED lighting to smart climate control systems, we are taking steps to ensure our facilities are as environmentally friendly as possible. Our guest rooms feature high energy efficient Pella Wood Casement Windows to keep rooms both warm and cool, depending on the season.

Local Sourcing: Supporting local businesses and reducing transportation emissions is a priority for us. Our culinary team is working closely with local farmers and suppliers to source fresh, sustainable ingredients for our menus when appropriate.

Educational Programs:

Guest Engagement: We invite our guests to join us on this journey towards sustainability. You'll find informative materials in rooms, highlighting our efforts and providing tips on how you can contribute to a greener future during your stay.

Employee Training: Our staff is undergoing training programs to ensure everyone is well-versed in sustainable practices. From front-of-house to back-of-house, we are all committed to making a positive impact. Click here to read our Sustainable Practices Employee Handbook, presented to each new hire during our employee orientation.
 

Community Involvement:

Local Clean-Up Events: La Fonda is proud to be an active participant in local environmental initiatives. In addition to sponsoring the Santa Fe Watershed River Clean-up, we recycle over 1,500 pounds of soap bars each year through the Clean the World program.

Partnerships: We are a proud member of the Santa Fe Green Chamber of Commerce and participate in the organization’s “Save Water Program” to help raise awareness of Santa Fe’s scarce water supply.  

The journey to sustainability is ongoing, including in the realm of creative arts.  If you haven’t done so already, check out Santa Fe’s annual Recycled Art Show. The featured work is always innovative and mindful. I purchased this gorgeous piece made of entirely recycled materials by artist, Clark Trujillo who specializes in found metal art. It’s a great reminder of the evolution of materials and the opportunity to create renewed beauty with repurposed objects.

The hotel has long embraced a philosophy of renewal – our popular hand-painted headboards and repurposed blanket boxes from the Fred Harvey era are a testament to our commitment to reuse and tradition! During our 2013 guest room renovation, our headboards were repainted by local artisans, one of them being my dear friend, Brian Vallo, who then went on to serve as the Acoma Pueblo Governor!

Together, we can make a significant difference and create a more sustainable future for generations to come.

Here's to a mindful and prosperous 2024!

Jenny

Jennifer Lea Kimball
Ambassador & Board Chairman Emerita
La Fonda on the Plaza