Farmers Markets: a Staple of Lancaster County
As the first day of spring approaches, most of the seasonal farmers markets in Lancaster County are starting to do business again and the ones open year-round are becoming more inviting. The warmer weather and the sunny skies make a trip to the markets an excursion both visitors and locals look forward to.
The produce, baked goods, handcrafts and other products, characteristic of Lancaster County, make these markets special. Some are small enough to work into a crowded itinerary, some large enough to turn into a day trip, but all of them have something in common—they are the places to shop from early spring through fall.Ø Central Market is the country’s oldest continuously operating farmers market, having been open for 275 years. Year-round, the market is held in an old building at 23 Market Street, Lancaster, every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. The stands offer everything from fresh food and produce to textiles and knick-knacks. For more information on this cornerstone of Lancaster County society, visit their website.
Ø Green Dragon, located in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, sits on thirty acres of land. Every Friday morning, the market and auction come alive with activity. The vendors are as varied as the many visitors who stop by each week, ranging from local growers to craftsmen to merchants. Their hours are 9:00am- 9:00pm every Friday except during the months of January and February, when the gates close at 8:00pm. Enjoy easy access to Green Dragon from the Kimmel House Bed and Breakfast.
Ø Roots Market and Auction is located just outside of Manheim, Pennsylvania and has been operating for nearly 90 years. With both indoor and outdoor stands, Roots is a Lancaster County destination in all weather. Roots Market is open only on Tuesdays. From April to October the doors are open 9:00am-9:00pm and from November to March, 9:00am-8:00pm. Roots is near several bed and breakfasts, including Rose Manor in Manheim, and the Alden House and Swiss Woods in Lititz.Ø Lititz Farmers Market is a small farmers market consisting of vendors from the Lititz area who bring and set up their own stands. The market is held 8:00am-12:00pm every Saturday from the end of May to September in a parking lot on Water Street in downtown Lititz. The location is half a block off Main Street and within easy walking distance of the Alden House Bed and Breakfast.Ø The New Holland Farmers Market is an open-air market on the corner of Main St. and South Robert’s St. in New Holland. It takes place every Saturday from May to September from 8:00am-1:00pm. This market brings fresh produce, cheese, dairy, baked goods and handcrafts to the people of Lancaster County.






