What Red Apple Farm does

Red Apple Farm is a privately held, multi-generational family farm operating as a diversified agritourism and direct-to-consumer retail destination from a 1,250-foot-elevation site in Phillipston, Massachusetts. The farm grows 50+ apple varieties including heirloom stock with 1600s lineage and is home to the oldest commercially planted McIntosh tree (1912) still in production. Operations are vertically integrated: on-site production covers hard cider (The Cidery), craft beer and wood-fired pizza (The Brew Barn), baked goods including apple cider donuts, fudge, and pies, and a seasonal ice cream window stocked by local supplier Bart's Ice Cream.

The go-to-market is overwhelmingly direct-to-consumer and event-driven, with pick-your-own operations across apples, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, pumpkins, and sunflowers, complemented by a year-round farm store and a portfolio of roughly ten annual festivals (Blueberry Jamboree, Sunflower Festival, Appleseed Country Fair, Cider & Strings Festival, Winter Lights, among others). Distribution extends beyond the main farm through a year-round stall at Boston Public Market in Boston's North End (ordering via Clover and catering via EZ Cater) and a winter seasonal food-service partnership at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area operating The Core kiosk and Bullock Lodge. Online ordering runs on Shopify.

The revenue model combines per-unit retail (pre-picked and pick-your-own pricing from $3.12/lb apples to $195 blueberry crop shares), ticketed event admission plus premium parking (e.g., $15/carload Appleseed Country Fair), and on-premise consumption at the cidery, brew barn, and ice cream window. All farm operations including donuts, fudge, baked goods, and cider are produced on-site, and the facility runs on a renewable energy mix (15 kw turbine, 10 kw solar, geothermal/solar-thermal). The Rose family has owned the farm since 1929; current operators Al and Nancy Rose represent the fourth/fifth generation, and 100% of staff are local.

Name

Red Apple Farm

Legal name

Red Apple Farm

Website

https://redapplefarm.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1912

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Red Apple Farm is a multi-generational family apple farm in Phillipston, Massachusetts operating a year-round agritourism destination with farm store, on-site cidery and brew barn, seasonal festivals, and pick-your-own produce, plus retail nodes at Boston Public Market and Wachusett Mountain Ski Area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agritourism & Farm Store

NAICS

Apple Orchards (111331), Fruit and Tree Nut Farming (1113)

SIC

Agricultural Production-Crops (100), Retail-Food Stores (5400)

akta.pro primary industry

Pome Fruit Orchards (Apples, Pears, Quinces) (AFAGACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cider & Orchard Fruit Production (Apples/pears for cider & processing) (AFAGACAJ), Farmstead & Local Artisan Food Markets (Retail Shops) (CRAHAGAO), Farmers’ Markets & Farm Stands (Fresh Food) (CRAHAHAE), Stone Fruit Orchards (Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, Cherries, Apricots) (AFAGACAC), Orchard Establishment & Replanting (New Plantings, Rootstock Selection, Trellising Systems) (AFAGACAK)

Keywords

• U-pick apple orchard
• Agritourism destination
• Farm store retail
• Hard cider production
• Seasonal festival events

Headquarters

HQ city

Athol

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Farm Store Retail Sales: Year-round retail sales of fresh produce, baked goods (famous apple cider donuts made fresh daily), pies, fudge, fresh-pressed and hard cider, local honey, craft soft drinks, candy, and handmade local crafts. Many products are made on-site including donuts, fudge, baked goods, and cider.
2. Pick-Your-Own Produce: Customers pay to pick their own fruit including apples, blueberries, peaches, pumpkins, and other seasonal produce. Pricing varies by item and quantity.
3. Hard Cider Sales: On-farm cidery and taproom serving fresh hard cider made on the farm. Also available at the Brew Barn, online, and at Boston Public Market location. Features seasonal flavors including Blueberry and Huckleberry Hard Cider.
4. Seasonal Festivals and Events: Admission-based events including Blueberry Jamboree, Sunflower Festival, Appleseed Country Fair, Thanksgiving Harvest Festival, Winter Lights, and more. Events feature vendor fees, food sales, and premium parking.
5. Boston Public Market Sales: Retail stall in Boston Public Market selling donuts, apple cider, pies, and other farm products. Offers catering orders in quantities of 3 dozen or more through Clover and EZ Cater platforms.
6. Wachusett Mountain Food Service: Ski-through food service at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, including The Core snack kiosk and Bullock Lodge. Serves cider donuts, apple dumplings, popcorn, fudge, hot and cold cider, and coffee.
7. Ice Cream Sales: Ice cream window serving Bart's Ice Cream from Northampton, Massachusetts. Open Thursday through Sunday with various sizes and sundae options.
8. Outdoor Recreation: Disc golf course and hiking trails. Disc golf tickets available through Highland Hlincs website. Trails maintained by North Quabbin Trails Association and Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Red Apple Farm operates a diversified, family-owned agritourism and farm-store destination in Phillipston, MA, offering pick-your-own apples and seasonal produce across 50+ varieties, a year-round farm store with on-site baked goods and hard cider, a cidery taproom, a Brew Barn taproom, and an ice cream window. The farm runs multiple seasonal festivals and events, maintains hiking trails and a disc golf course, and extends its products through a Boston Public Market stall, ski-area food service at Wachusett Mountain, and a Shopify online market.

Product overview

Red Apple Farm is a family-owned fourth-generation apple farm in Phillipston, Massachusetts offering a diversified portfolio of products and experiences. The core offering centers on the year-round Farm Store featuring on-site made products (apple cider donuts, baked goods, fudge, fresh-pressed and hard cider) alongside fresh seasonal produce and local artisan crafts. Adjacent venues include The Cidery (hard cider taproom) and The Brew Barn (craft beer and BBQ), plus a seasonal Ice Cream Window. The farm operates pick-your-own produce operations (apples in 50+ varieties, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, sunflowers) and manages a Boston Public Market stall. Outdoor recreation includes disc golf and hiking trails on conservation lands. Seasonal festivals drive significant visitation including Blueberry Jamboree, Sunflower Festival, Appleseed Country Fair, New England Cider & Strings Festival, and Winter Lights. A ski-through cider service operates at Wachusett Mountain during winter. Online ordering is available through Shopify and third-party platforms (Clover, EZ Cater).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Cidery: Hard cider taproom and production facility offering fresh hard cider made on the farm with seasonal flavors including Blueberry and Huckleberry Hard Cider.
• The Brew Barn
• Red Apple Farm Market at Boston Public Market

Products and services

• Farm Store (Phillipston) Year-round retail store in Phillipston, MA selling fresh seasonal produce, apple cider donuts, freshly baked pies, fresh-pressed and hard cider, local honey, craft soft drinks, candy, homemade peanut butter, fudge, local ice cream, and handmade local crafts. Many items (donuts, fudge, baked goods, cider) are made on-site. Intended for general consumers, families, and visitors.
• The Cidery On-farm hard cidery and taproom serving fresh hard cider made on-site, with seasonal flavors including Blueberry and Huckleberry Hard Cider, plus regular offerings such as Cranberry Hard Cider. Open seasonally Thursday–Sunday. For adult consumers visiting the farm.
• The Brew Barn On-site taproom and beer garden featuring 8 rotating seasonal flavors on tap, pints, flights, growlers, charcuterie plates, BBQ, and wood-fired pizza (TimberFire Pizza). Includes Moon Hill Brewing beers on tap. For adult consumers, families, and event visitors.
• Pick-Your-Own Produce Seasonal u-pick operations for apples (50+ varieties), blueberries, raspberries, peaches, pumpkins, and sunflowers. Pricing varies by item and quantity (e.g., blueberry Pint $8, Quart $14, Flat $52; Crop Share $195). For families, individual visitors, and tourists.
• Boston Public Market Stall Retail stall at Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover Street, Boston, selling donuts, apple cider, pies, and Signature Slushies. Offers pickup orders via Clover and catering via EZ Cater (3 dozen minimum). For Boston-area consumers and event caterers.
• Ice Cream Window Seasonal ice cream window serving Bart's Ice Cream (Northampton, MA) with waffle cones, fresh fruit compote, and bakery item toppings. Open Thursday 4:30–8PM, Friday 4:30–8PM, Saturday 1–8PM, Sunday 1–8PM. For families and farm visitors.
• Enchanted Orchard Renaissance Faire Annual May Renaissance faire event featuring historical reenactments, entertainment, and themed activities. Ticketed event for families and event visitors.
• New England Cider & Strings Festival June festival celebrating New England cider with live fiddle/string music, a hard cider passport, ox pulls, blacksmithing and timber framing demonstrations, and historical presentations. For adult and family visitors.
• Blueberry Jamboree July festival held 10AM–6PM on July 11–12 and 18–19, featuring blueberry picking, blueberry treats and pies, live music, artisan vendors, and sampling of Blueberry Hard Cider at the Cidery. For families and individual visitors.
• Sunflower Festival August festival on August 8–9 and 15–16 featuring pick-your-own sunflowers, sunflower-themed festivities, craft fairs, live music on Brew Barn and Cidery stages, and photography opportunities. For families and individual visitors.
• Appleseed Country Fair Labor Day weekend festival featuring vendors, face painting, food trucks, hayrides, dunk tank, cow milking, line dancing, pie baking contest, and live music. Admission is $15 per carload with proceeds benefiting the Athol/Phillipston Fire Association. For families and individual visitors.
• Thanksgiving Harvest Festival November festival with local vendors, fresh pies, hard cider, pumpkins, hayrides, live music, blacksmith demonstrations, and The Iron Farmer running competition. For families and individual visitors.
• Winter Lights Holiday event featuring over 200,000 twinkling lights transforming the orchard into a winter wonderland, with campfires, full BBQ restaurant, brick oven pizza, The Cidery, and farm store access. For families and individual visitors.
• Country Roads Christmas Cozy countryside Christmas experience with carriage rides through the countryside during the holiday season. For families and individual visitors.
• Hiking Trails and Disc Golf Course Disc golf course through woodland areas with unique terrain challenges, plus hiking trails connecting to Thousand Acre Swamp and Baldwin Hill Conservation Area maintained by North Quabbin Trails Association and Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust. Disc golf tickets sold through Highland Hlincs. For outdoor recreation visitors.
• Bullock Lodge Cider Service at Wachusett Mountain Ski-through cider and food service at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area with locations at The Core snack kiosk in Base Lodge and Bullock Lodge slope-side on lower 10th trail. Serves cider donuts, apple dumplings, popcorn, candy, fudge, hot and cold cider, and coffee during ski season. For ski-area visitors.
• Online Ordering (Pickup & Catering) Direct-to-consumer online ordering for farm products with pickup at the Boston Public Market (via Clover) and at the Phillipston farm (via Shopify), plus catering fulfillment through EZ Cater with a 3 dozen minimum order. Includes the 2025 Signature Slushie product. For individual consumers and event caterers.

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bart's Ice CreamcoreOthersBart's Ice Cream from Northampton, Massachusetts supplies ice cream for the farm's dairy bar and ice cream window. Serves scooped ice cream with waffle cones, fresh fruit compote, and bakery item combinations.
• Wachusett Mountain Ski AreacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRed Apple Farm operates food service locations at Wachusett Mountain including The Core kiosk in the Base Lodge and Bullock Lodge slope-side. Provides fresh cider donuts, apple dumplings, popcorn, fudge, cider, and coffee during ski season.
• American Cider Association (ACA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRed Apple Farm is a proud member of the American Cider Association, supporting the craft cider industry and standards.
• North Quabbin Trails AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrails and conservation areas surrounding Red Apple Farm are maintained by the North Quabbin Trails Association, supporting hiking and outdoor recreation.
• Mount Grace Land Conservation TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrails and conservation areas including Baldwin Hill Conservation Area are maintained by Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust.
• University of Massachusetts Cooperative ExtensioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRed Apple Farm is a University of Massachusetts Cooperative Extension Mentor Farm, practicing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and receiving agricultural extension support.
• MA250 (Massachusetts 250th Anniversary)minorOthersRed Apple Farm is participating in Massachusetts' celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, tied to the farm's Revolutionary War heritage and Captain Joseph Richardson's service in the Continental Army.
• Athol/Phillipston Fire AssociationminorOthersThe Appleseed Country Fair admission fee of $15 per carload benefits the Athol/Phillipston Fire Association, supporting local fire department services.
• Moon Hill BrewingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoon Hill Brewing provides beers on tap at the Brew Barn during events, offering specialty drinks and BBQ plates at the farm's venue.
• TimberFire PizzacoreOthersWood-fired pizza vendor serving on-site at events and regular farm operations. Contact form available for inquiries. Featured at Brew Barn and event locations.
• Highland Hlincs Disc GolfminorOthersDisc golf course operated through Highland Hlincs with tickets available online. Course runs through woodland areas outside Red Apple Farm with diverse terrain.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Woodchuck Cider: Vermont Hard Cider Company brand and one of the largest U.S. craft cider producers — broader incumbent competing in the same hard cider category as Red Apple Cidery.
• Angry Orchard: Largest U.S. hard cider brand owned by Boston Beer Company — broader incumbent in the hard cider category where Red Apple Cidery competes for taproom and shelf share.

Emerging players

• Citizen Cider: Burlington, Vermont craft hard cidery focused on craft, small-batch cider — emerging player in the same craft segment where Red Apple Cidery operates, with similar farm-to-glass positioning.

Direct peers

• Carlson Orchards: Harvard, Massachusetts orchard with pick-your-own apples, peaches, and berries plus on-site hard cidery — comparable as a New England apple farm with both PYO and on-farm cider operations.
• Russell Orchards: Ipswich, Massachusetts pick-your-own apple and berry farm with farm store, hard cider, and on-site food — direct peer as a diversified New England orchard with both fresh and processed offerings.
• Lyman Orchards: Connecticut orchard with pick-your-own apples, peaches, and berries, plus farm store, winery, cidery, and golf — directly comparable multi-revenue New England orchard at similar scale.
• Tougas Family Farm: Massachusetts farm offering pick-your-own apples, blueberries, peaches, and strawberries plus farm store and bakery — closely comparable as a family-owned New England pick-your-own orchard with on-site retail.
• C.N. Smith Farm: East Bridgewater, Massachusetts farm offering pick-your-own apples and produce plus farm store — comparable as a family-run New England farm with PYO and on-site retail.
• Smolak Farms: Massachusetts farm offering pick-your-own fruit, farm store, on-site food, and wedding/events programming — directly comparable as a New England agritourism apple farm with diversified revenue streams.

Regional players

• Shelburne Farms: Vermont nonprofit working farm and educational agritourism destination with on-farm inn, restaurant, and cheesemaking — comparable as a New England destination farm combining agriculture, education, and visitor experiences.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Red Apple Farm