Phil Hallstedt
Co-founder of Red Truck Orchards, a Michigan-based cherry vinegar brand that rapidly scaled from a U-Pick farm heritage to retail distribution.
Phil Hallstedt's Bio
When Phil Hallstedt recorded his episode of How I Built This, he skipped the standard tech founder origin story entirely. He talked about cherries. Hallstedt launched Red Truck Orchards alongside his wife Sarah, starting the business as Hallstedt Homestead Cherries, a first-generation U-Pick cherry farm operating out of the family’s Hallstedt Homestead. The pair built the venture around their shared love of the fruit, a passion Hallstedt still prioritizes, down to his social media handle @cherries8227.
Career Timeline
2022 — Co-founded Red Truck Orchards
Started cherry vinegar brand with wife Sarah at Hallstedt Homestead Cherries, a first-generation U-Pick cherry farm in Northport, Michigan.
2024 — Soft-launched Red Truck Orchards
Soft-launched cherry vinegar product built from locally-grown Leelanau County cherries.
2025 — Expanded production and distribution at Red Truck Orchards
Scaled output and reach beyond local markets into broader retail distribution.
2026 — Featured on How I Built This at Red Truck Orchards
Appeared on How I Built This episode 839 discussing the cherry vinegar brand and farm heritage.