Our Berkeley neighborhood community's Tera Farm story
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Bay Area into lockdown, Katie Calvert and her husband Rob found themselves fortunate enough to be working remotely from their Westbrae home in North Berkeley. As health officials advised limiting trips to public spaces, the couple faced a dilemma: how to obtain fresh produce while minimizing exposure risks.
Their one attempt at online grocery shopping proved disappointing when their order arrived with fruits and vegetables encased in plastic—an environmental cost they couldn't justify. This prompted Katie's late-night search for a sustainable CSA alternative, leading her to Tera Farm's website. While signing up for the organic produce service, Katie indicated interest in becoming a site host. Almost immediately, Sheena Vaidyanathan from Tera Farm responded, initiating an email conversation that extended until 11 p.m.
Katie talked with many neighbors on her block, gathering interest from eight households eager to try the service. Within two weeks, Tera Farm boxes began arriving early Saturday mornings at the Calvert residence.
What Katie particularly values about Tera Farm is its customizable approach. Unlike traditional CSA programs where customers receive pre-selected items, Tera Farm's online store allows her to browse in-season offerings and select specific fruits and vegetables that align with her weekly meal planning. Strawberries, carrots, and assorted lettuces have become weekly staples in the Calvert household, while previously unused items like bok choy and turnips have found their way into regular rotation in Katie's kitchen. All ordered items are exceptionally fresh and flavorful.
The North Berkeley customer base has steadily expanded through word-of-mouth, NextDoor postings, and the Tera Farm lawn sign displayed in front of the Calvert home. Katie enjoys the random and unplanned Saturday morning interactions, when she gets to welcome a new customer or chat with a long-time participant. The customer group is a vibrant micro-community centered around sustainable food.
For Katie and Rob, hosting is a win-win on so many levels. They appreciate Tera Farm's non-profit structure, ensuring that proceeds directly support the farmers. They value their relationship with Farmer Bertha, whose dedication to organic growing practices yields both healthy—and delicious—produce. They also recognize their participation as a small but tangible contribution to environmental stewardship, building community resilience one vegetable and fruit box at a time.
- Katie Calvert