Eco-Friendly Restaurant Initiatives

Ferncroft Country Club in Middleton, Massachusetts, was the first country club in the United States to implement a Zero Food Waste Initiative for banquets and in its 19th Hole restaurant using an innovative Japanese fermentation process called Bokashi.

Our Kitchen is Leading the Way to Sustainable Golf

“Our members, golf outing and wedding clients desire to see us build upon the sustainable practices we have embraced in the past,” said Damon DeVito, the managing director of Affinity Management, which owns Ferncroft. “With the Commonwealth contemplating a ban on commercial food waste in landfills, we’re excited to be able to demonstrate leadership in bringing this to our members, and would love to see other private clubs follow suit.” This innovation also allows us to provide our guests with an eco-friendly wedding venue.

How Our Restaurant Went Eco-Friendly

Bokashi is a composting practice that uses fermentation to break down all food scraps – including meat and dairy – in less than half the time of conventional composting. At the same time, it eliminates unpleasant odors, deters pests and allows for a substantial reduction in restaurant food waste. The result of the process is a natural fertilizer that is used in the Club's organic vegetable and herb garden that Executive Chef Nick Laganas incorporates into Ferncroft’s member and special event catering menus.

Fine Dining While Protecting Massachusetts’s Resources

DeVito estimated Ferncroft’s voluntary adoption of the Zero Food Waste Initiative would recycle more than four tons of restaurant food waste, and divert restaurant food waste from North Shore landfills to the new garden. With more than 4,400 private clubs in the U.S., if every country club’s dining facilities were to follow Ferncroft, an estimated 13,000 tons of waste could be recycled.

Eco-Friendly and Community Focused

Joining DeVito for the launch event were Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton, a member of Ferncroft, as well as a number of local officials, including Robert Bradford, President of the North Shore Chamber of Commerce and a representative of Middleton Public Schools. Affinity partners with non-profit Rock ‘n Renew, which introduced them to the practice of Bokashi. Rock ‘n Renew has formed a comprehensive network of over 250 schools worldwide, and will help Ferncroft with educational opportunities.

Established in 1970, Ferncroft Country Club, located 20 miles north of Boston in Middleton, blends a rich heritage of golfing excellence, top notch dining and preeminent service in a family-friendly, first-class private club. Ferncroft hosted the LPGA’s Boston Five Classic from 1980-90 on its Robert Trent Jones, Sr.-designed championship golf course.

Affinity Management has advised, managed and owned private clubs, golf courses, equestrian facilities and other member-based businesses in more than two dozen states.