The Need

Red Apple Farm has been a staple for New Englanders since 1912. Located in Phillipston, MA, this scenic farmstead has been owned and tended by the Rose family for four generations. The original business involved wholesaling apples to various supermarkets and distributors.

As times changed, the Roses transformed their business model to ensure the farm would continue to flourish for future generations. They made drastic modifications, including cutting down half of their apple trees to allow for business diversification. Now, at its core, Red Apple Farm provides an authentic family farm experience, offering a pick-your-own orchard (apples, blueberries, pumpkins), hayrides, an 18th century farmhouse, a country store and brew barn.

A Surprising Top Seller

As farm business owners, the Roses’ plate was more than full. They didn’t focus their attention on certain parts of the business that, generation after generation, seemed to be working just fine. One of those areas was the fudge sold in their store. The Roses were happy enough with their fudge sales from the six flavors they were buying wholesale and displaying pre-cut under domes.

Little did they know they were missing out on a significantly larger opportunity – to reinforce their “authentic” identify and to generate significantly more dollar profits. The combination of beginning to experience challenges getting their fudge supply from the wholesaler and hearing other retail-farming business owners suggest multiple times over the years that they should make their own fudge, led the Roses to investigate a new approach to their fudge business.