Lush, juicy berries. Bright, leafy greens. Sweet, crisp corn. These are just a few of the staples of Central PA produce, natural treasures that taste infinitely better when plucked off the vine or harvested in the field mere hours before they reach your market tote. With such a bounty of locally grown goods, why miss out? Here’s our manual of farm fresh shopping, including a map of go-to markets, a seasonal produce timeline, buying tips, and more.
Markets and Stands:
1. Farmers on the Square North Hanover Street and West High Street, Carlisle Wednesday 3-7 p.m. www.farmersonthesquare.com 717-258-5721 2. Ashcombe Farm and Greenhouses 906 W. Grantham Rd., Mechanicsburg Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. www.ashcombe.com 717-766-7611 3. Adams-Ricci Farmers Market 100 E. Penn Dr., Enola Thursday 3-7 p.m. www.adamsriccifarmersmarket.org 717-979-9700 4. West Shore Farmers’ Market 900 Market St., Lemoyne Tuesday 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-2 p.m. www.westshorefarmersmarket.com 717-737-9881 5. Broad Street Market 1233 N. Third St., Harrisburg Thursday and Friday 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m.-4 p.m. www.broadstreetmarket.org 717-236-7923 6. PA Farmer’s Open Air Market PA Farm Show Building Parking Lot, Cameron St., Harrisburg Tuesday and Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. www.agmap.psu.edu/Businesses/199 717-364-9226 7. Strites’ Orchard Farm Market 1000 Strites Rd., Harrisburg Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. www.stritesorchard.com 717-564-3130 8. Farmers’ Market in Hershey 1215 Research Blvd., Hummelstown Thursday 2:30-6:30 p.m. www.farmersmarketinhershey.com 717-364-9226 9. Central Market York 34 W. Philadelphia St., York Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday 6 a.m.-2 p.m. www.centralmarketyork.com 717-848-2243 10. Market & Penn Street Farmers’ Market 380 W. Market St., York Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday 6 a.m.-2 p.m. www.agmap.psu.edu/businesses/index.cfm?fid=5185 717-848-1402 11. New Eastern Market 201 Memory Lane, York Friday 7 a.m.-6 p.m. www.neweasternmarket.com 717-755-5811 12 . Brown’s Orchards & Farm Market 8892 Susquehanna Trail South, Loganville Monday-Saturday 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. www.brownsorchards.com 717-428-2036 13. the Markets at Shrewsbury 12025 Susquehanna Trail South, York Thursday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday www.marketsatshrewsbury.com 717-235-6611 14. Amish Markets at Hanover 1649 Broadway, Hanover Thursday and Friday 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. www.amish-markets.com 717-646-1649 15. Lancaster Central Market 23 N. Market St., Lancaster Tuesday and Friday 6 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday 6 a.m.-2 p.m. www.centralmarketlancaster.com 717-735-6890 16. Brook Lawn Farm Market 2325 Lititz Pike, Lancaster Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. www.brooklawnfarmmarket.com 717-569-4748 17. Cherry Hill Orchards 400 Long Lane, Lancaster Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. www.cherryhillorchards.com 717-872-9311 18. Roots Country Market & Auction 705 Graystone Rd., Manheim Tuesday 9 a.m.-9 p.m. www.rootsmarket.com 717-898-7811 19. Downtown Lititz Farmers Market 20 Water St., Lititz Saturday 8 a.m.-12 p.m. www.lititzfarmersmarket.com 717-626-6332 20. Harvest Lane Farm Market 851 E. Oregon Rd., Lititz Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. www.harvestlanefarmmarket.com 717-569-2076
Reader Favorite: “Brown's Orchard for strawberries, corn, and apples.” - Renae Scott
Reader Favorite: “Freshly grated horseradish at Lancaster's Central Market.” - Patricia Reinert Lawson
Reader Favorite: “Dennis Fitz at Central Market York. Corn, strawberries, lettuce, carrots, melons, green beans…everything. The produce is always fresh, priced well, and knowing that I’m supporting a York County farming family makes everything taste even better!” - Suzanne Sylvanus Burt
Reader Favorite:
“Love the Apple Valley Creamery milk available at Dietz Produce in Central Market York...and the coffee from The Copper Crust Company.”- Sarah Chain
Seasons of Love
Shopping at farmers markets requires compromise: getting ultra fresh produce means you might not be able to find your favorite fruit or veggie all season long like at the grocery store. Savvy market shoppers know their seasons and plan their menus around what’s freshest at that time. Here’s a guide of when you can expect to buy these popular ingredients:
