Nothing is like fresh fruits and vegetables from Lancaster County. My favorites are fresh corn, cherry tomatoes, and locally grown broccoli. You can't beat the taste of the freshness of it.
In June and July, you'll find everything from strawberries and apples to beets, asparagus, and basil in season in Lancaster, PA.
There are a ton of farmers markets in this county, and below is a handful of them, listed.
1. Lancaster Central Market
If you take a walk through the aisles here you will find an abundance of produce from the deeply nutrient-rich soils native to the local landscape, an array of prepared foods representing the proud cultural diversity of the county, and locally sourced meat, poultry, cheeses, and much more.
Lancaster Central Market is the oldest, continuously running public farmers market in the country. More than 60 local vendors call the beautiful Market House home three days every week.
Address: 23 N Market St, Lancaster, PA 17603
2. Brook Lawn Farm Market
This is a family produce farm and roadside market located in the heart of Lancaster County. With over 80 years of experience, Brook Lawn Farm Market provides customers with fresh homegrown produce. Their production spans over 70 acres, and they primarily grow strawberries, sweet corn, peaches, heirloom tomatoes, and pumpkins on their farm.
If you are up for a real farm experience, they also have Pick Your Own Strawberries and Pumpkins, offered when they're in season.
Address: 2325 Lititz Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601
3. Harvest Lane Farm
Harvest Lane Farm is a 4th generation family farm in Lancaster, farming prime agricultural soils that have produced abundantly for many years. They have a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy items, meats and cheeses. Oh, and baked goods. Theit peanut butter cookies are delicious! The market has been running since 1995, and is a popular spot among the locals.
At the farm, they planted their first peach orchard in 2003. A year later, they expanded in egg production and continued increasing vegetable and fruit production. High tunnels were constructed for tomato and raspberry plants, and a heated green house was added for early tomatoes. Today, the 5th generation is beginning to help on the farm.
Their pumpkin production is huge during the fall. You can get pumpkins in all sizes and colors. Last year I got white and yellow ones in addition to the traditional orange pumpkin.
Address: 851 E Oregon Rd, Lititz, PA 17543
4. Bird-in-Hand Farmers Market
This family-owned farmers market has been running for more than 30 years, and it's a favorite among locals as well as out of towners.
Here, you'll get a lot of fresh produce, meats, cheese, and also a large variety of baked goods, chocolates, and candies.
They have locally made chips and hard pretzels, hand-rolled soft pretzels, fresh-squeezed lemonade, apple cider, and rows of homemade canned goods, to mention a few.
You'll have to visit this spot to see everything it offers.
The Bird-in-Hand Farmers Market offers many locally made crafts and quilts, dried and silk flower arrangements, old-fashioned toys, dolls and doll clothes, quality leather goods, t-shirts, and locally themed souvenirs.
Address: 2710 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird in Hand, PA 17505
5. Kissel Hill Fruit Farm Orchard & Market
Kissel Hill Fruit Farm has some of the very best orchard-growing soils in Lancaster County. Since purchasing the farm back in 2008, the Smucker Family has been committed to reviving and expanding this long-standing, fully functioning farm.
Their fresh fruits and vegetables are all grown carefully using integrated pest management instead of chemicals.
If you like sweets, make sure to try some of their award-winning baked goods. They have pies, cakes, fruit bread, sticky buns, and much more.
Address: 2101 Kissel Hill Rd, Lititz, PA 17543
You are not limited to these five spots when visiting Lancaster County. There are a lot of farmers markets and roadside stands throughout all parts of this Pennsylvania Dutch Country, all of them with the freshest produce you can get.