Foote Brook Farm owners, Tony and Joie Lehouillier are in the midst of realizing a dream they’ve had for years, building a new farmstand. A combination of things led to this move. The two main reasons are lack of adequate parking and safety. The State Highway Department has been pressuring Foote Brook to move the farmstand for years with good reason: Pulling in and out of the old location was almost always like holding your breath and jumping off a cliff. Deep Root Organic Coop, which occupies the newer red building behind the barn, also needed its own right-of-way. In addition, the Lehouillier family grew and they needed a new spot for an office (previously in their home) which will be located upstairs in the new building.
Foote Brook Farm is a certified organic diversified produce farm located on the west side of Johnson along the Lamoille River and the Foote Brook. During peak season, the Lehouilliers farm anywhere from 40-60 acres, growing up to 145 different varieties of produce. They also dedicate 25 acres to non-organic sod grass.
The post and beam work is being done by Todd Brown and Jamie Beckwith from Cold Hollow Timber Works in Enosburg with some help from Hugh Johnson of Jeffersonville.
Tony Lehouillier and his parents, Camille and Polly, started selling sweet corn out of the old location in the early 1980’s. After attending UVM and majoring in plant and soil science, he started Foote Brook Farm in 1996. Polly grew her own vegetables and ran her farm stand until 2006 when Tony took over and Polly and Camille retired. His parents have been a source of guidance and assistance since the inception of Foote Brook Farm.
“We have always wanted a rustic, spacious, pretty, inviting place that the town of Johnson and Foote Brook Farm could be proud of,” Joie Lehouillier said. “We are so lucky to have Heather Bushey on our staff and she, among a million other things, drew up the plans and helped to make this building a reality.”
When asked about how this change will affect consumers, Joie stated that, “It will not be the prices or the quality of our produce!” Lehouillier also said that with the size of their new location, Foote Brook will be able to provide more variety and additional products, and selections will also include more bedding plants and flowers. The spacious, new location will open earlier and close later in the season. They plan on being open for business in mid-May. In addition to the new farmstand, Foote Brook distributes its produce through Deep Root at their Stowe farmstand, and the Morrisville and Johnson farmer’s markets.
