Today we’d like to introduce you to Al and Nancy Rose.
Al and Nancy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Red Apple Farm was started in 1912. Same year Fenway Park was built and LL Bean and Oreo’s started. It’s been in the Rose family for 4 generations. Although up through the early 80’s the farm was predominantly a wholesale apple operation, it evolved and adapted into a year-round and diversified retail direct-marketing operation. The farm store in Phillipston is open year-round and offers pick-your-own summer and fall crops with over 50 varieties of apples to choose from. Farm favorites include our famous apple cider donuts, all-natural cider, homemade fudge, and honey-roasted peanut butter to name a few. Farm outings include hayrides, friendly farm animals and sizzling BBQ! Our BBQ pit fires up in summer and fall weekends with pulled pork as our specialty! Country Barn available to host events and country weddings. New for 2018 is our summer pop-up beer garden at the Country Barn in partnership with our friend’s at Moon Hill Brewing featuring our limited-edition apple ale!
Come winter make sure to see us at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area. Red Apple Farm operates the historic Bullock Lodge Cider House mid-mountain. Skiers and boarders can ride in to warm up at our wood stoves enjoying hot cider and made-on-mountain cider donuts in a 1930’s stone lodge. Base lodge lovers can find us at The Core directly across from the cafeteria for some apple crisp, homemade fudge, dipped caramel apples and lots more.
And, if we didn’t get you yet, you can visit us in Boston. Since 2015, Red Apple Farm is delighted to be part of the year-round indoor Boston Public Market. We make our mini cider donuts on the spot. Our cider bar not only features a wide selection of infused and seasonal hot and cold all-natural ciders, but refreshingly pure cider slushies as well. Be sure to check out our delicious downtown catering options when you stop by our market stall for your favorite Red Apple Farm country store staples. It’s not every day you find a farm in the heart of the city! We take pride in our relationships established on local food and local employees, relationships that makes the farm and city connection that much more special!
Has it been a smooth road?
Any family business has its challenges. We are blessed that each generation has tended the farm with the hopes of the next generation in their sights. Remaining a viable, sustainable, and relevant family farm is a constant effort that requires adaption and general openness for change without losing focus of who and what you are. Our mission is to provide an authentic, New England family farm experience! Family is at the core of who and what we do and is reflected in our family run business, it is emulated through the families that support and visit our locations, and in all the current and past families that work at Red Apple Farm – we call it “Farmily”! Hiring and staffing all local employees, especially during the high-demands of harvest season, is a challenge, but always a priority. We recognize it makes us who we are.
Most farmers would quickly state the weather and seasonality constraints as the biggest obstacles inherent in agricultural-based businesses. As Red Apple Farm moved and adapted from a wholesale apple operation into a retail farm marketing operation, weather, both in terms of growing and selling the crop, increasingly became the prime factor in the farm’s profitability and sustainability. The farm, as a result, strategically diversified its crops, value-added products and locations to become a year-round retail farm operation.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Red Apple Farm story. Tell us more about the business.
Our biggest compliment is when our customers tell us they love Red Apple Farm. Our goal is to provide a relationship that is based on a long-lasting connection to the farm and an authenticity to who we are. Our “Your Family Farm!” tag line is our guiding principle and it’s what we aim for each and every day and it’s what we project in each and every product we make or grow with love. We are proud to carry on a tradition that creates memories and touches many folks, from all over and for a very long time.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
At the core, folks will always need a connection based on trust and meaning. As society has become more connected in today’s technology-driven society, it has increased a culture of becoming more alienated and separated. Providing a gathering place and comfortable environment for folks to connect with themselves, each other and their community will become even more important and powerful.
Contact Info:
- Address: Boston Public Market
100 Hanover Street
Boston, MA - Website: www.RedAppleFarm.com
- Phone: 9782496763
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/redapplefarm/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RedAppleFarm
Image Credit:
Juan Sebastian Palafox
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
