In honor of Earth Day, Cambridge Local First visited three local businesses committed to serving sustainable foods and employing eco-friendly practices both at the table and behind the counter:
Urban Hearth | urbanhearth.net | 2263 Massachusetts Ave. | 617-682-7295 | Reservations recommended.
For Chef Erin Miller and her team, sustainability is not a static checklist but an ongoing commitment that extends from the farm to the table to the community beyond. The James Beard nominated chef, who also garnered a recommendation in the inaugural Michelin Guide for Boston, sources directly from local farmers and producers within the regional foodshed, reducing food miles, cutting packaging waste, and supporting a more resilient local food economy. In the kitchen, a rigorous zero-waste approach means every ingredient is fully utilized: trim is repurposed, surplus is preserved, and menus are designed to honor the whole product. After over nine years at their current location in North Cambridge, Urban Hearth is moving to a new space at 1281 Cambridge Street in Inman Square this June that will expand seating and their core values. “Our new facility was designed with sustainability at the forefront,” said Chef Miller. “We have invested in energy-efficient refrigeration and lighting systems, and have transitioned a significant portion of our cooking infrastructure from gas to electric. Additionally, we source our electricity through renewable energy providers, further reducing our environmental impact.”
Basil Tree Catering | basiltree.com | 617-776-9100
Basil Tree is a mission-driven business committed to “Catering with a Conscience”. They offer a zero-waste catering option through their free “Basil Bin” program, a heavy-duty bin delivered with your order to collect used platters, bowls, lids, beverage dispensers, and serving utensils, which Basil Tree then picks up, sanitizes, and reuses. Founder Val Shulock sees people as central to sustainability. “At Basil Tree we have an amazing staff committed to our mission. Ensuring their health, happiness, and inspiring a sense of community is my number one job.”
Grendel’s Den | grendelsden.com | 89 Winthrop Street | 617-491-1160
Grendel’s Den has operated as a zero-trash business since 2006, embracing recycling, energy efficiency, and sustainable purchasing since the 1970s. Owner Kari Kuelzer — who also opened neighboring Harvard Square restaurant The Sea Hag in 2021 — sees it as an extension of hospitality. “Restaurants help shape social norms, so simple practices, like providing water or straws only on request, create opportunities for guests to engage with our environmental values.”
All three of these businesses participate in the City of Cambridge Composting Program, available to commercial operations and residents alike. “It’s an incredible program that doesn’t just save the environment,” notes Kuelzer. “It saves us money every month.” To learn more, you can watch the Cambridge Local Stories episode featuring Recycling Director Michael Orr on the CLF YouTube channel.
This Earth Day, skip the delivery app and visit these three Cambridge neighbors who are showing us that the most radical thing we can do for the planet might just be sitting down to a thoughtfully prepared meal together.
(This article is sponsored by Cambridge Local First, bringing people and small businesses together in our community since 2005. Cambridgelocalfirst.org.)
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