Terry’s Berries

Always good produce at the market but have had some unfriendly encounters with the people at the store

My previous understanding of a CSA is that you pay up front for a «share», you share the risk of a bad harvest or poor weather, and likewise share the rewards of a good harvest when harvest is good. That’s not how things work at Terry’s (or other CSAs, as I’ve discussed with others). I frequently hear of superior-​quality produce — such as strawberries or onions — being sold by Terry’s at the area farmer’s markets, but when we show up to pick up our share the same week (or same day), we receive none of these items and instead get things like garlic greens, kale, woody kohlrabi, fava beans, or damaged apples. The same thing happens regularly in their farm store. Walk-​in customers get the luxury of buying higher quality produce which is not provided to the share members who financed the growing season. In the winter they provide garlic that had not been stored in an adequately dry environment (as evidenced by partially rotten condition and/​or sprouting), which had been rationed out, rather than just giving share members more garlic to ration out, store (properly), or use, when it had been harvested. They advertise local produce, but frequently give share members produce hauled in from Oregon or California.
I would advise potential customers to not join the CSA. Walk into the store or visit them at a farmer’s market, purchase their higher-​quality produce, and skip out on the massive amounts of kale, greens, chard, and produce that was improperly harvested or damaged. Their CSA is a way for them to get rid of their cover crops, waste products, and peak harvest surplus.

Just started getting the spring boxes. I got a large share for my family of three on a 3 month payment plan. With two vegetable (my diet is mostly fish and veggies) eating adults and a 4 year old trying to learn that green stuff is ok. It’s exactly enough for us. I didn’t realize some of the stuff wouldn’t be grown by them so I was a tiiiiny bit disappointed only because I’m trying to cut food miles but I understand. So far it’s been a good experience though. I’m looking forward to next weeks box and I’m very grateful for their service cause it sort of forces me to try new things and come up with new recipes to cook. My husband got lost on the way to their farm but it is conveniently about 6 miles from downtown so it works perfectly for us. I may look for a smaller farm that doesn’t outsource but for now I’m pretty happy with our box.

First time visit to Terry’s Berries with the kids was a great time.
It was nice to be recognized as a ‘new visitor’ and have the process explained to us.
We wanted to pick some apples and also have a gallon of fresh cider to take home.
Happy that they suggested taking a wheelbarrow to bring the load back to the store.
So if you want to buy apples, you bring them inside to weigh. You also need
to purchase a ‘cap’ for the gallon of cider. For a ½ gallon bucket of apples and one full gallong and one ½ gallon for cider with 2 caps the total came out to: $ 24.00 which is sort of more
than I anticipated spending. However, when you think about the experience, and explaining to the kids the whole organic picking and processing and how it ends up at the table is way worth it to me because it’s a fun learning experience for them. After paying, they lead you towards the cider press.
There was a bit of a line, however you spend some time washing your apples
in a solution of water with a little bit of bleach, then moving those washed apples towards another bucket to rise off. The kids thought it was pretty cool
putting the apples in the apple cruncher (im sure it’s called something way more savvy) then pressing the apples down to juice. One word of advise, since it’s the rainy season… wear your grubby clothes and boots and some towels for the inside of your car because your bound to get a bit dirty! Im uncertain if they run the cider press every day, so you may want to check. There were a TON of apples left on the tree so go down and have a great time!

I pass by Terry’s Berries often, but I don’t usually stop in. I can’t see what they have from River Road like I can with other farm stands, and I think I subconsciously associate them with berries only. This couldn’t be farther from the truth, and after my visit this week I am resolved to go here every week. They have a huge selection of organic produce for reasonable prices; I’m not a CSA member here, but a regular customer. In September, produce included apples, plums, pears, lettuces, kales, tomatoes, fennel, many kinds of potatoes and onions, celery, etc. But the best surprise was local eggs ($ 5) and organic bread from essential bakery (walnut for me). I left with two bags of organic/​local/​fresh produce, bread, and eggs for $ 23. Excellent hidden gem!

We called ahead today for u pick apples and were told to come on down! When we showed up a few hours later there was not a single apple on the trees available for picking. My 3 kids were so disappointed. We could see a roped off area with plenty of apples on the tree ripe for picking and inquired if they would open that area up or allow us in to get a few and we were refused. I thought it was terrible that I called ahead, drove down, got all the way out in the field to find out that there was not A SINGLE apple hanging from the tree!!! The least they could have done looking at my boys’ faces was let them grab a couple off the trees that were ripe. In addition, the line to pay for cider press was ridiculously LONG then the line to go press was a 2^nd LONG line. It was very difficult to keep a good spirit and be happy when the farmers running things were so cranky. Clearly not the best experience which is sad because it seems like a cute farm just run poorly & not very customer service friendly:(Will drive further to apple pick next year!

I have been a member of Terry’s CSA since 1997 and for the last several years have purchased the summer, fall, winter and spring shares. You choose the season you would like and then pay in advance to cover the estimated costs of the growing season. In return you receive a share of the farm’s crop each week during the growing season.
Overall the quality has been excellent. Yes sometimes toward the end of the growing season the produce is not picture perfect, but the quality and the taste of local grown organic produce cannot be beat. My children would always ask «are these Terry’s carrots?» before taking carrots from the veggie trays. They quickly leaned the pre-​washed and prepared carrots so popular in veggie trays were tasteless in comparison with Terry’s carrots.
My scheduled pick-​up day is Tuesday and you can pick up your share anytime between 2 and 7 on Tuesday or from 10 — 6 on Wednesday. On several occasions I have called the store in advance to let them know I would be unable to make it by seven on Tuesday and have on occasion picked up my share as late as 9:00 PM
Terry is usually around the store and often takes time to visit and ask for feedback on how the share is going. I have also participated in several surveys from Terry asking us to evaluate the quality, amount and type of foods available. In general most folks prefer locally grown produce even if it means some items may not be available year round. I have enjoyed the practice of using produce locally grown and in season rather than purchasing fresh produce from as far away as Mexico or Chili.
Our family eats a great variety of vegetables each week and have the added benefit of supporting local farms. Overall I have been very happy with the produce at Terry’s Berries and give it my highest recommendation.

I like visiting the farm store for their fresh produce. I love the idea of supporting local agriculture.
We take our kids and they get to feed the chickens (great fun for kids!).
We have also gone to pick berries during the summer. They sell items from other vendors (true gluten free bakery items) and sometimes have someone selling wine or other goods. They always have suggestions for what to do with the veggies you buy.
We LOVE Terry’s Berries!

Terry’s Berries is an organic berry and produce farm in the Puyallup River Valley owned and operated by Dick and Terry Carkner. In addition to their farm store they also sell at local farmer’s markets including Tacoma/​Broadway and Puyallup.
I have been a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) member for the last 3 years. How it works is that you pay up front and get fresh produce weekly for a certain length of time (it varies from season to season). It’s a great deal, especially during the summer.
Terry also produces a weekly newsletter with the share that includes what’s going on at the farm, what’s in season and recipes for items included in that week’s share. Also, if you ever have questions or need ideas for how to prepare something Terry and the staff are always happy to give you some suggestions.
For those with kids, there is a children’s garden along with ducks and chickens. In the fall they offer apple and pumpkin picking. Also, they usually have an opportunity to use the cider press a few weekends in the fall.