In 1985, Vérité began with a commitment to be, as it was then called, "ecological" or "environmentally aware". Over the years, the buzzwords have changed, but Vérité has maintained its focus on what is now described as "green" or "sustainable" development.

Vérité's campus demonstrates a wide array of sustainable features, including: reforestation & soil regeneration; rainwater harvesting; water conservation & bunding; rainwater percolation; wastewater recycling; solar electricity & electricity conservation; solar hot water; dry garden landscaping with indigenous species; organic food production; organic pest control.

The vegetable garden and orchard cover about 2 of Vérité's 10 acres. Before 1985, when Vérité's pioneers started cultivating the land, there was little edible vegetation, except for some cashew trees. The land was depleted and pebbly which, along with fluctuations of extreme heat-and-drought to heavy rains, made it difficult to grow any but the hardiest of plants. Decades of persistent care and experimentation has resulted in rich soil able to support a wide variety of organic vegetables, herbs and fruit trees.

Along with providing fresh produce for our kitchen, the garden adds its special beauty to the place, and is an integral aspect of Vérité's mission to promote sustainability and health. We are so grateful to the many people who have helped in the garden and orchard--from those who have devoted years to its development to those who spent a few hours pulling weeds!

Vegetables

• Beans : Long beans, Winged beans, Custard beans, Bush beans, French beans, Cluster beans
• Gourds : Snake gourd, Bottle gourd, French gourd, Bitter gourd
• Spinach : Mustard greens, Drumstick leaves, Palak spinach, Spinach Kirai, Basella spinach, Chicken Spinach, Jatropha papaya spinach, New Zealand spinach, Amaranth, Lettuce, Ruccota
• Other Vegetables : Ladies Fingers (Okra), Drum stick, Pumpkin, Butter squash, Louki, Tapioca, Sweet potato, Cucumber, Bell peppers (Capsicum), Chili pepper, Chinese cabbage, White radish, Kohlrabi, Spring onions, Spring garlic, Tomato, Tomato cherry, Tomatillo

• Nuts : Jack fruit seed, Peanuts, Sunflower, Cashew, Indian almond (Badam)