Here you can discover the sustainable practices implemented by Font de la Canya and the Cal Blay Group, linked through specific actions to some of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Font de la Canya is managed by the Cal Blay Group, which operates 6 restaurants, 7 event venues and a catering service. The group also provides foodservice solutions for companies, coordinating kitchen operations and providing the necessary resources or directly managing the catering service.
Equality and gender parity policies
Gender parity at Cal Blay is almost absolute, with women accounting for 51% of its workforce. Female representation can be found at every level of the organisation, including management, offices, kitchens and restaurants, on an equal footing with men. The team also includes people from a wide range of cultural and religious backgrounds and origins, enriching the company and creating an international environment that can be experienced every day across its venues.
Sustainable Awareness
In 2019, Cal Blay launched its “Sustainable Awareness” campaign, both internally and externally, to encourage respect for the environment. The aim was to reduce the use of resources — paper, plastic, water and electricity — in kitchens and offices, use recyclable materials in its services and facilitate internal recycling. A number of initiatives were implemented as part of the campaign.
Internal actions:
Posters were placed in bathrooms and kitchens encouraging the responsible use of water, electricity and paper.
Paper and plastic recycling bins were installed in offices and the warehouse, while staff were encouraged to use the general waste bin installed in the staff dining area.
The use of plastic cups for staff coffee, tea and other drinks was limited, encouraging the use of reusable crockery instead.
Information was provided to all employees through internal communication channels — newsletters, email and noticeboards — to raise awareness of the actions that could be taken within the company in relation to sustainability.
External:
Posters were placed in restaurant bathrooms encouraging the responsible use of water, electricity and paper.
New service materials were purchased, selecting cups, plates and cutlery carrying an ECO certification, ensuring that they were either biodegradable or made from recycled materials.
SOCIAL ACTIONS
The following collaborations form part of Cal Blay’s identity and strengthen its links with the territory in which the company has grown: the local community and the Penedès region. Cal Blay believes that the economic fabric can have a more positive and equitable impact through actions that give back to society. The company believes that a business should go beyond the contractual relationship between employer and employee and contribute value to the community of which it forms part.
One-off Actions
Make it Blue. Cal Blay joined the Make it Blue Collective initiative as a gesture of gratitude to essential workers in Spain. As part of the initiative, all its venues were illuminated in blue. #makeitblue #makeitbluespain
Cava for healthcare workers. Cal Blay wanted to thank all healthcare professionals working in hospitals, clinics, emergency departments and other services. For this reason, throughout 2020, any healthcare professional having lunch or dinner at one of Cal Blay’s restaurants received a complimentary bottle of cava.
Medicalised hotels. During the pandemic, Cal Blay continued working to support professionals who needed to stay energised and well nourished, preparing specific menus for hotels accommodating healthcare workers and their families in different parts of Catalonia.
Hospital Comarcal de l’Alt Penedès. Cal Blay donated 2,000 gloves and 100 gowns to the Hospital Comarcal de l’Alt Penedès.
Tap Solidari. For several years, Cal Blay gave female employees and customers a solidarity candle for Sant Jordi. The funds used to purchase the candles were donated to Tamaia, Viure Sense Violència, an association working to combat gender-based violence. A Tap Solidari initiative was also organised to mark International Women’s Day on 8 March..
La Costa Daurada es mulla per l’ELA. Cal Blay supported this initiative by providing a charity dinner at Parc Samà. As part of this fundraising event supporting ALS research, ultra-distance swimmer Jaime Caballero Echeverria completed a 24 km swim along the beaches of the Costa Daurada. At each stop, he was met by people affected by the disease, while representatives of the Federació Empresarial d’Hostaleria i Turisme made donations to the cause. Cal Blay contributed 35% of the dinner proceeds, a total of €1,680.
Fundació Vallformosa. Cal Blay collaborated annually with the foundation by providing the Masia d’Esplugues venue for the presentation of the 4th Premi Martí Via, dedicated to oncology research. Fundació Vallformosa and GESCO Family awarded the prize, which included a €30,000 grant for professionals and researchers working in paediatric or adult oncology to develop a research project at a leading national or international centre.
La Marató de TV3. Cal Blay took part in a sports day organised with E4 at Mirador de les Caves in support of La Marató de TV3. The event began with a Pilates class, followed by a Zumba session and a vermouth for all participants.
Càritas. During the company’s 2018 Christmas dinner, employees organised a toy collection. The toys, together with bicycles purchased by the company’s management, were donated to Càritas so they could be distributed to children in vulnerable situations.
Càritas. The Confraria del Cava de Sant Sadurní d’Anoia organised an annual charity gala at the MNAC in support of Càritas. Cal Blay contributed €4 per guest to an event attended by approximately 250 to 300 people.
Local Actions
Carrera de Orientación Solidaria de Sant Pere de Riudebitlles. Cal Blay participated as a partner in 2017 because it shares the social and charitable objectives of this sporting event. The race is organised in Sant Pere de Riudebitlles, the municipality where Cal Blay has its official headquarters, and supporting local and community initiatives forms part of the company’s philosophy.
The charitable cause supported in the 2020 edition was the Nidia White Project in Puerto Cabezas (Bilwi), Nicaragua. The association worked to prevent gender-based violence and defend women’s rights
El Mitjó. Cal Blay sponsored the Sant Pere de Riudebitlles Puppet Festival, which was celebrating its 9th anniversary that year. It was a multidisciplinary festival featuring shows, music, dance and puppetry for all ages. El Mitjó Riudebitlles was characterised by its local, family-friendly, welcoming, popular, irreverent and unconventional spirit. Its aim was to offer a small-scale, accessible festival that remained popular while maintaining high standards of quality, with entertaining and adventurous programming.
15th anniversary of E4 gym. Cal Blay took part by providing the venue and a meal. The programme included a walk to Castell de Subirats, Pilates and Zumba sessions, as well as karate and dance demonstrations.
Tió Solidari de Sant Sadurní d’Anoia. Cal Blay collaborated in this Christmas event by preparing and serving hot chocolate. Proceeds from the event were donated to the Associació Qui té a Qui – Amics dels Discapacitats País del Cava.
