Farmers Markets in Lancaster County, PA

Those living in Lancaster County, PA are lucky because it is easy to go green here. The abundance of fruits and vegetables, including organic ones, abound. Fresh meat, cheese, and baked goods are available not far from the source. The best places to find the prime local foods are at the local farmers markets. There are so many of these in the area; but of course I have my favorites for different reasons.

The Green Dragon Farmers Market and Auction is located in Ephrata, Pa located just off of Route 272. Don't worry you can't miss it. There is a sign out on Route 272 with an enormous green dragon perched on the top; hence the name of the farmer's market. This infamous Market has been in the area since 1932. Being that it has been in existence for so long, I was surprised that this local staple now has a website which is www.greendragonmarket.com

Unfortunately, this Market is only open on Fridays. It is best to arrive very in the morning if you want to watch the Amish bring in their wares by horse and buggy. Because there are over 400 vendors, seven market buildings and in nice weather plenty of vendors outside comfortable walking shoes are a need not a want. Make sure you are good to Mother Nature and bring re-usable bags to carry all the goodies you are sure to buy. Remember the goal is to "Go, Green", make it a life style in all you do.

The fruits and vegetables are so fresh. It is hard to walk buy without wanting to buy a piece of fruit and take a bite out of it. When I first moved here, and incidentally had one of my first dates at the Green Dragon, my fiancé ask if I'd want one or two ears of corn for dinner. I couldn't image wanting more than one ear of corn. That was until I tasted the difference fresh produce made, "Go, Green" forever! I'm so glad he bought me a second ear. Talk about nature's goodness. Speaking of the goodness, there are fresh hot roasted peanuts, whoopie pies (a traditional Amish desert of cookie and cream filling), hot pretzels, beef jerky, caramel corn, donuts, and birch beer.

Central Market is another farmer's market that is near and dear to my heart. When working in downtown Lancaster, I did dinner shopping for fresh food items and bought my lunch there. It is the perfect place for people working downtown to get lunch and eat it at the beautiful Steinman Park, with its gorgeous fountain across the street.

This market has been functioning since 1730 and is the longest functioning farmers market in the US. It is located just off Penn Square in Lancaster, Pa. with signs that point the way. There are over 80 plus vendors in the building. Some of the offerings are organic in nature but not everything. Fantastic ethnic food at the African stand or the Middle-eastern Stand; I might not have recognized the names of those food but everything there that I tried was delish. I believe that the African stand uses all or mainly organic foods. Double check while your there as I haven't worked in the city for two years and my brain is fuzzy these days. But just because I don't get shop there doesn't mean I don't impose on my friend to bring me back my favorites from those two stands. For a non-organic but yummy delight there are the yummy salads and hoagies C S Clyde Weaver's stand. There are beautiful and abundant fresh fruit and vegetables everywhere! The meat, fish, and cheese are very fresh and everything is reasonably priced.

Besides the green goodness that can be found at Central Market, hand made baskets, flowers fresh and carved wooden ones are available, and plants are sold. There is a great herb stand to add flavor to the food you bought there. Oh, and the baked goods...I swear you can almost gain weight just looking at them. The cookies there are to die for.

Central Market is open Tuesday, Friday and a few stands are still open on Saturday. The time to get the choicest of goods is to be there early. Many of the shops start to close up by 2 p.m., just to warn you so you are not disappointed. Make sure you don't miss the stable where the Old Order Mennonites and Amish park their horses and buggies. It certainly adds to the flavor and uniqueness of the market. Plan on parking in a downtown municipal parking lot, there are few metered spaces close to the Market. But don't fret, as you walk to the Market you will pass wonderful shops you will want to visit on the way back from Market.

Root's Country Market and Auction www.rootsmarket.com is another of my favorite farmer's market haunts. Perhaps it is a favorite because my son had a part time job there; therefore, I had a chance to become familiar with the various and unique offerings there. Talk about a "Go, Green" location. This market has been running since 1925 and is run by a family! It too is open on Tuesdays but its hours are much longer than that of Central Market. It is open from 9 am to 9 pm from April to October; at other times it closes at 8 pm.

The fruits and vegetables are always fresh. The fish, meat and cheese are tasty. Many of the items are grown organically. "The Sun Porch" is my favorite stop for herbs, teas, and spices. The famed "Zerbe's Chips" are there and as an added plus can be ordered online. It never fails after I've shopped for meats and cheeses usually at "Keifer's Smoked Meats and Cheeses" or "New Holland Meats" I am parched. That means only one thing at Root's. You have to have a Lennonade! You ask, what on earth is Lennonade? A Lennonade is fresh squeezed lemons, a sugar-water solution, poured over chipped ice and made by David Lennon, of "Lennon's Concession Stand". It is so much better than lemonade. Once you've had Lennonade you'll never go back to lemonade. Oh, I almost forgot. If you want to have some of Lancaster County's bounty use the website for Roots Market that I provided you with earlier so that you can have some goodies shipped to your doorstep!

One of the things that make this Country Market stand out from farmers markets is the Root's Old Mill Flea Market and the others is the special events that happen here. At the Flea Market you'll find antiques dishes, furniture, and works of art. They have more than 175 vendors inside and outside the building. Certainly you will find something you'll like here. As for events, there are auto shows, the Hearts of Lancaster County Craft Show and many other things you won't want to miss. Check out this part of the web page to make sure you don't miss a thing www.rootsoldmill.com

I've hoped you have enjoyed the tour of just three of the many farmers markets in Lancaster County. Believe me there are more in the county and surrounding area. If you are planning a visit, I suggest getting a guidebook of the area or stopping in at the local visitors' center. You won't want to miss anything while you go to Market. Happy Shopping.

Sources:

The Green Dragon www.greendragonmarket.com
Root's Market www.rootsoldmill.com
www.rootsmarket.com