With the sun shining and an abundance of food growing, we are in the heart of farmers’ market season in Harrisburg.
Over the next few months, you’ll have many opportunities to get outside in the sun instead of shopping under fluorescent bulbs. You can skip the impersonal, humdrum grocery store aisles and get to know your local farmers and producers, who grow and make wholesome, delicious foods for sale in beautiful and historic market locations. You can trade in the bulky shopping cart and wasteful plastic grocery bags for a sustainable, trendy cloth market bag.
In central Pennsylvania, there’s a great collection of seasonal markets to choose from that offer a little something for everyone. Most of these markets showcase producer-only vendors, who grow or make the majority or all of what they sell. Here they are, your tickets to local, organic and sustainable food; rich community and shopping experiences; and pleasant summertime outings. For you fresh food seekers and enthusiasts out there, check out each of these locations at least once to get the full Harrisburg-area farmers’ market experience.
PA Farmers Open Air Market
Pennsylvania Farm Show Building Parking Lot
N. Cameron Street, Harrisburg
Tuesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Probably Harrisburg’s easiest farmers’ market to get to, the PA Farmers Open Air Market is conveniently located in the parking lot of the Farm Show Complex. In its 37th year, this market welcomes vendors that travel from many areas throughout Pennsylvania.
“Anyone statewide is welcome to join our market,” says Dick Habig, market manager. “And the vendors are expected to grow about 75 percent of what they bring.”
Stroll around this farmers’ market to find a variety of produce, herbs, condiments, wine, hummus, guacamole, salsa, bread, prepared foods and baked goods. Probably most impressive is the market’s large selection of flowers and plants. You can take home hanging flower baskets, some annuals and perennials to plant in your garden or berry plants to enjoy homegrown fruit in your yard.
Keep in mind this market is arranged on blacktop with minimal shade. Be sure to dress cool and bring water to help beat the summer heat.
Capital Farmers Market
Soldiers’ Grove, Harrisburg (across from the Capitol building)
Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A relatively new market in Harrisburg, the Capital Farmers’ Market was organized to meet the healthy, local lunchtime needs of city employees. While the idea to hold a farmers’ market in Soldiers’ Grove has been in the works for a few years, the market officially got underway last summer with the go-ahead from the city of Harrisburg. Situated across from the fountain at the Capitol building, the market offers fresh fruits, vegetables, bread and handcrafted items.
“We wanted to give the employees in the city of Harrisburg a chance to get fresh, local items that are actually produced in Pennsylvania,” says Jan Rullo, market manager.
While the market currently has a small number of vendors, Rullo says, “We are working toward being something bigger and better.”
She encourages local farmers and food producers who are interested in satisfying Harrisburg’s local food cravings to get in touch with her. “Like” Capital Farmers’ Market on Facebook for more information.
Farmers on the Square
Northwest corner of High and Hanover Streets, Carlisle
Wednesdays, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
www.farmersonthesquare.com
Carlisle’s farmer-run market serves up a variety of fresh, often organic, produce and handmade food items, in the town’s historic downtown square, which was home to a variety of markets from 1751 to 1952. Tucked throughout the walkway of the First Presbyterian Church, Farmers on the Square is an ideal backdrop for a farmers’ market, which preserves a longstanding local foods tradition. All of the vendors at Farmers on the Square live and work within a 50-mile radius of the producer-only market, offering only items grown or made from scratch, says Ann Light, market manager.
According to Light, all of the Farmers on the Square vendors are major draws for market-goers. “It’s kind of amazing, if one vendor is missing one week, people ask about them. They are like, ‘Where is the honey lady?’” says Light.
Not only can you pretty much cross off all of the basic staples on your grocery list at this market—veggies, herbs, fruits, eggs, meat, milk, cheese, bread—but you can also find hummus, guacamole, juice, tomato sauce, canned vegetables, baked goods, ice cream and more.
Farmers on the Square also hosts cooking demonstrations, so adults and children can learn how to prepare a meal with produce at the peak of the season. Kids have their chance to get hands-on too during children’s cooking classes. Dickinson College Farm hosts a composting demonstration and a do-it-yourself project, where you can learn how to sew your old t-shirt into a market bag. Also, be sure to look for Healing Touch Massage throughout the summer for an added treat at this market.
Farmers Market in Hershey
1215 Research Blvd., Hummelstown
Thursdays, 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Summer concert series: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
https://farmersmarketinhershey.com
This health-centric farmers’ market was organized three years ago by neighboring Penn State College of Medicine to create healthy food, wellness and community experiences for students and employees, as well as people from neighboring towns.
“Our goal is to be a community-focused market,” says Michelle Wohlfarth, market manager. “We want to get people to our market to appreciate wellness and to support our local vendors.”
With a beautiful lawn venue in front of the Cocoa Beanery cafe, where Milton Hershey’s cows once enjoyed pastured meals, the Farmers Market in Hershey is charming and deliciously eclectic. The producers-only market offers fresh-grown, organic vegetables, honey, wine, hot sauces, and, sometimes, even opportunities to adopt a pet through the Humane Society, which will be at the market on Sept 12.
Wohlfarth encourages people to attend the farmers’ market to support the local economy and greater Harrisburg communities. “As people support the local economy, it will make us more community-minded,” she explains. “Supporting your local farmer at a farmers’ market brings back a sense of community that I think we lost.”
This market also offers healthy living workshops that sometimes include free healthcare screenings or instructional workshops on gardening—added bonuses of shopping locally. Stick around after the market each week for live music as part of the summer concert series.
Farmers on Walnut
2145 Walnut St., Camp Hill
Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
www.farmersonwalnut.org
Arranged in the Camp Hill Borough Building’s parking lot, Farmers on Walnut is a producers-only farmers’ market operated by participating farmers and volunteer staff. This market showcases a large, beautiful selection of locally grown produce and greens, as well as meat, charcuterie and dairy, all grown, raised and produced within 50 miles from the market.
“I think the quality of the food that you get locally far surpasses what you can get at the grocery store,” says Monica Rhodes, market manager. “There exists out there beyond the grocery store world a huge variety of heirloom vegetables and fruit that are, in my opinion, far superior to what you buy at grocery stores. [All of the produce] here is picked when it is ripe. And the meat and dairy farmers go to great lengths not to use GMO (genetically modified organism) feeds.”
You will also find delicious breads and fruits at this market. Be sure to check out Farmers on Walnut’s Facebook page to see what days you can purchase flour, cornmeal, rolled oats, baked goods, vinegar, canned goods, soups, maple syrup, honey and shagbark hickory and to get information about its upcoming special events, like a salsa-making demonstration and backyard tomato tasting.
Summer Market Days
Many people find a trip to the local farmers’ market to be an enjoyable outing in itself. There are, however, ways to make it an even richer experience.
Make it a date
Fresh food, vibrant flowers, sweet treats, music and community all make farmers’ markets a great place to go on a not-so-typical date.
Stop in at Farmers on Walnut for some snacks and flowers for your love. You won’t want to miss Roots Cut Flower Farm to pick up gorgeous, vivid floral arrangements. Then, stay in Camp Hill for the evening to enjoy dinner. Be sure to check out Fraiche, a farm-to-table restaurant just in front of the market, whose chefs often stop by for some fresh, local food for their mouth-watering recipes.
Plan a date at Hershey Market where you can sip Cocoa Beanery’s coffee while perusing the wide array of market vendors or people watch from the coffee shop’s porch. Then, stick around to enjoy live music on the lawn during the summer concert series. Bring a cooler with you to keep your market purchases fresh after you shop and be sure to pack chairs or blankets.
For the foodie-loving couple, hang out at Farmers on the Square to catch cooking demonstrations, after which you can often sample what was prepared. As a couple, learn how to cook up that bok choy you are intrigued by, but may be a little intimidated, to purchase.
Look for Mountainside Supper Club at Farmers on the Square and Farmers on Walnut, where you can order artisan, farm-to-table meals for a bite to eat with your casual market stroll, without having to worry about planning dinner later. Be sure to try Executive Chef Steve Dunlap’s variety of chilled soups this summer.
Bring the kids
Farmers’ markets aren’t just fun for adults. The festival-feel of markets provides a perfect atmosphere for kids. All of these markets have plenty of activities and treats that will delight your little ones, while you shop to stock your kitchen.
Be on the lookout for some homemade baked goods and ice cream. A must-try for the kiddos, and ahem, the big kids, is Sunset Valley Farm’s vanilla ice cream. This Ickesburg (Perry County) farm handcrafts its decadent treats with raw milk and does not use any artificial ingredients or preservatives. Grab a scoop at Farmers on the Square and Farmers on Walnut.
Your little ones can have their faces painted at several of the markets, including Farmers on the Square, Farmers on Walnut and the Farmers Market in Hershey.
At Farmers on the Square, children can enjoy cooking demonstrations and hands-on classes, as well as kids’ activities presented by the Carlisle Arts Learning Center.
Save the date of July 11, when the Farmers Market in Hershey will host a smoothie sampling, Hershey Library story time and a concert featuring Mr. Music for kids.
Be sure to check out each market’s website or Facebook page for more kids’ activities.
Eat while you shop
Many vendors offer treats that you can enjoy while perusing each market. Grab a cold drink or cookie at Cool Beans CSA—which also offers micro-greens, eggs, salad greens and vegetable and herb plants for purchase—at Farmers in the Square. Pick up a fresh, crisp treat from Three Springs Fruit Farm, which brings crate-loads of beautiful apples to Farmers on the Square and Farmers on Walnut.
Quite a few of the vendors also offer taste tests of their market treats. One of them is FreshaPeel Hummus!, which makes from-scratch guacamole and hummus in delicious varieties like lemon kale, jalapeno lime and summer pumpkin. Check them out at the PA Farmers Open Air Market, Farmers on the Square and the Farmers Market in Hershey. Be sure to swing by Lark Rise Farm at Farmers on the Square and Farmers on Walnut to sample artisan breads like onion rye and spinach basil pesto ciabatta. Also check out Perry County Land and Cattle’s breads at the PA Farmers Open Air Market, Farmers on the Square and Farmers on Walnut. At these markets, you can sample delightful varieties like kalamata olive, pumpernickel raisin and fig anise.
Keep your eyes peeled at each market for additional goodies that you can sample.
Get connected
A great to way stay up-to-date on what each farmers’ market has to offer every week is to “like” them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter. Special events and vendor information can change just a few days ahead of time. And many of the vendors are not at market every week and instead come every other week or once a month.
Getting connected online also allows market-goers to connect with the farmers and producers themselves to get to know them further and to learn more about their farming practices and handmade techniques. Farmers’ markets and their respective social networks are great venues to network with like-minded local foodies.
