Four days a week, David and Ruthie Lapp, and several of their six children—the lifeblood of Green Ridge Farm Market & Cafe—make the one-hour commute from the farmlands of Lancaster to their new storefront in Camp Hill.
They bring with them a deep appreciation for homegrown and homemade, passed down through generations, and fresh meats, vegetables and other fruits of their labor that keep customers coming back week after week.
“We don’t mind the drive because we know that we’re bringing people farm fresh and organic food that nourishes their bodies,” Ruthie said.
For more than a decade prior, the family sold its Green Ridge Acres Farm produce at the Broad Street Market in Harrisburg. However, hoping to grow their business and further cultivate their customer base, they transitioned to their new west shore location in July, which formerly housed the locally loved Healthy Grocer.
This change has given the Lapps the opportunity to expand not only in space but also in offerings.
Organic seasonal produce remains stocked on the shelves from local and trusted suppliers, along with grass-fed dairy products and meats that were raised on the Lapps’ own farm, as well as various bulk items like baking ingredients, spices and snacks. The store’s Cup of Joy Café also serves hearty soups made from scratch, hot breakfast options, sandwiches, coffee and baked goods—a little something for everyone.
“When customers visited us at the Broad Street Market, they might get one or two things from us, but they’d shop around at other vendors, too,” Ruthie said. “But now, when they come here, they want to make it worth their trip. They’re going out of their way to shop with us and support our business.”
While Ruthie says that she and her family miss their fellow market vendors, she believes investing in her customers was well worth the leap of leaving. Many loyal shoppers have followed them from the east shore to the west shore and would devotedly choose grocery shopping at Green Ridge over supermarkets any day.
“I shop here every week,” said long-time customer Mark Silver, who had a full cart from his Saturday morning trip. “It’s a completely different pace than the typical grocery store experience.”
He praised both the food quality and the “friendly faces.”
“Not only do I know much of the Lapp family by name, but they make an effort to know their customers’ names, too,” he said. “Why wouldn’t I want to keep coming back?”
Place of Joy
Still early in their new venture, the Lapps have taken it day-to-day as they sharpen their store and its inner workings. But, as days turn into months, they’re eager to explore additional avenues that will allow them to further invest in their customers and family.
One of Ruthie and David’s sons recently bought a farm in Northumberland, and they hope to add a familial touchpoint by selling their produce at the market once it’s plentiful. Ruthie also sees potential in targeting new customers in other counties, even nearby metropolitan areas like Washington, D.C., which are close enough that an occasional trip to pick up an online order might be doable.
“Perhaps we’ll even have a farm day at some point, where we invite customers to our farm in Lancaster,” Ruthie said. “Children could gather eggs and families could get a closer look at country living—see where some of the items we sell come from.”
Customers like Silver are excited to watch the business grow and evolve too, from a stand at the Broad Street Market to whatever the future holds.
“I want to see them thrive, and I hope it remains something they enjoy doing together as a family,” Silver said. “When you walk into their store, it’s hard to deny that what they do comes from a place of joy.”
Green Ridge Farm Market & Café is located at 3800 Trindle Rd., Camp Hill. For more information, visit www.greenridgeacres.com.
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