Nestled right off Exit 5 on I-91 in Westminster, VT is Allen Brothers Farm. Since its start as a family-run orchard in 1956, Allen Brothers has evolved into a thriving business featuring a farm stand, bakery, deli, and gas station. While much has evolved over time, one thing remains constant: their deep-rooted commitment to growing fresh, seasonal produce for their community.

Owner Tim Allen in one of their many greenhouses.

I recently sat down with Tim Allen, current owner, and Monique “Mo” Poitras, the farm’s manager, to hear how Allen Brothers continues to honor its legacy while evolving to meet the demands of modern farming.

The story of Allen Brothers begins with Tim’s father, John Allen, and his three brothers, Russell, Frank, and Raymond. Together, the brothers purchased an orchard in nearby Saxtons River. Over time, the family expanded to include multiple farm stands from Claremont to Keene, growing vegetables and apples across the region. By 1986, as the founding generation looked to retire, Tim bought the Westminster location and began building the operation we know today.

“I told my dad, I wanted to put in a bakery, a deli, and gas pumps,” Tim recalls. “Something that would bring people in from the highway and support the farm.”

The model worked. Nearly 40 years on, Allen Brothers is a local landmark and shopping destination.

Behind the scenes, a massive greenhouse operation keeps things growing regardless of weather or season. With 26 greenhouses on site, they’ve developed a dual-season strategy: flowering annuals and perennials, and then greenhouses are flipped to produce tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, strawberries, and winter greens for the later seasons.

“With climate challenges, it just makes sense,” Allen says. “We can’t count on full strawberry seasons anymore, so we’re moving more into greenhouse-grown day-neutral varieties. That way, we can offer strawberries from July all the way through November.”

Allen Brothers has evolved to a more targeted approach to what they grow by focusing on what they do best and sourcing the rest locally. They supplement their offerings with produce from nearby farms.

“We don’t try to do everything,” says Tim. “Our neighbor Paul Harlow grows root crops and lettuce really well. We’d rather focus on what we grow best and collaborate with others.”

That spirit of collaboration is part of what led them to partner with Food Connects Food Hub.

Because Allen Brothers’ primary focus is retail, their primary goal isn’t to move pallets of produce out of state. But when they do have extra, especially seasonal produce, they want it to go somewhere meaningful. That’s where Food Connects comes in.

“You’re not asking for tractor-trailer loads,” Tim explains. “We can grow a little extra and know that Food Connects can distribute it locally to schools, hospitals, institutions…we want it to stay in the neighborhood.”

Mo agrees: “It’s good knowing our fresh, locally grown produce is going to people in our community who deserve to eat well.”

To keep their operations running across the business from greenhouses to the deli kitchen & bakery, Allen Brothers employs nearly 85 people at peak season. Their crew includes a mix of local workers, seasonal staff, and several returning H-2A visa workers who are core to the farm’s success.

“It really comes down to consistency,” Mo says. “The same people grow our crops each year, and they care deeply about what they do. That care shows in the quality.”

While not certified organic, Allen Brothers uses sustainable and organic practices wherever possible, especially in their greenhouses. They’re committed to IPM (integrated pest management) and often use biological pest control instead of chemicals.

And when you pick up a box of Allen Brothers cherry or slicing tomatoes through the Food Connects Food Hub, you’re getting something deeply local, lovingly grown, and thoughtfully harvested.

“We grow everything fresh, with best practices, and a whole lot of care,” Tim says.

You can find Allen Brothers produce through the Food Connects Food Hub and visit them in Westminster, VT. To learn more or plan your visit, follow them on Facebook.

Written by Elyse Morckel