I’ve only been to the Central Market once, but can’t wait to go again! The assortment of goods there is vast and the cultural diversity is truly amazing. Lancaster city itself is a cultural surprise in the midst of an area of farms and feilds and shopping centers and housing developments, and quaint old towns. And Central Market represents it all, along with the wonderful farm products.
Another great farmers market to visit in the area is “Root’s” (When asking locals about it, be sure to pronounce it like the o’s in ‘book’) While visiting my family in the area, I had a list of things I “needed” and got them all there: socks, make-up, pepper jam and a specific Avon product! That could never have happened at Wal-Mart!

What a precious picture! The jams & jellys made me hungry for a peanut butter & jelly sandwich! Thanks for the info about the market. My family & I will try to visit there this summer.

My daughter just started working at central market

The central market sounds wonderful. I wish I lived in PA!!! Hope to visit some tome soon. Thanks for all the info. on Lancaster County!

We will be in your area this weekend and hope to make it one of our stops. It sounds like the Reading Terminal Market in Philly and we love it there!

My grandfather had a stand at York’s Central market many years ago. You just can’t beat the fresh produce and home baked goods at a Market House.

What a real treat. I have been there many times.

Love your ice-cream vanilla bean to be exact,but when the coconut duetto can about I couldn’t believe my tastebuds, love at first bite. Will they make something with banana in a duetto?

What a wonderful place to visit. I’ll be sure to check it out next week when we visit for the day.

I am so excited! We are planning to go to Lancaster in August for our anniversary. I will make sure we visit the market while we are there.

I haven’t been to Lancaster in several years. You’ve inspired me to make another trip soon.

I was born in Lancaster County and still reside here. I’ve been going to Central Market for 56 years! I grew up on the wholesome goodness of the fresh meats and produce,baked goods and fresh flowers,and have always enjoyed the friendly atmosphere created by the standholders. Any time we have visitors from out of town we make sure to include a stop at Market while they are here.

I have never been to Lancaster County, but after reading all the comments, I am planning a vacation for next year to visit!

I visited the Central Market a couple times. It is a great place to visit. Just to walk around the City of Lancaster and look at the buildings is great. Love all the information this blog provides! Keep up the good work Turkey Hill!

Shoofly pie is the best! And a scoop of TH vanilla icecream on the side makes it even better.

Would love to visit the Central Market some day.

I once visited the Farmers’Market in LA
and that was some experience. Figs as big as pears. The picture of the jams and jellies really stands out and does invite one to look and buy. It all looks so beckoning.

I have heard of shoo-fly pie, but thought it was not real food just something someone made up. I guess I was wrong. It sounds interesting though. In New England we have a Cranberry Pie that is more cake than pie so I think that must be a description left over from generations ago.

I haven’t been to Lancaster since I was a child, after reading everyones comments. They stirred up alot of my old memories and now I guess I am in the beginning stages of planning our own Lancaster vacation! Can’t Wait!!

I’m from Western Pa. and have been to lancaster many times. Wish I would have known about the Central Market then. Have been to Bird-in-Hand farmer’s Market and really enloyed it. Lebonan Bologna is one of my favorites. Not really crazy about Shoo-fly pie …. like the one gentleman said, you either love it or hate it. And as someone else mentioned…Miller’s Bakery and Strasburg Creamery 2 great places that I really miss. I quess I need to plan a trip soon.

I grew up going to the Central Market every Saturday morning with my father.We always got Lebanon bologna at Weaver’s stand along with lots of other goodies.

My mother tells me shoo-fly pie got its name because flies were so attracted to the sweet molasses that somebody had to stand guard as the pie was cooling to shoo the flies away. Is that true?

now I wish it were August 2, that is the day our family will be visiting Lancaster. maybe we will stop here for some good goodies

I’m glad I live close to Central Market, go there every week and buy all the good home’grown vegetables. Apples and pumpkins in the Fall. Homemade jams and jellies, etc., are also a favorite. Whole family enjoys everything.

Yum, Yum!!! Fresh, wholesome & homemade!!!

Central Market is great, as is Kauffman’s market- they have the best fruit- the cherries and their apple cider is out of this world.

>Turkey Hill Team wrote:
>It appears that many of you haven’t tasted Shoo Fly Pie! Shoo Fly is a little difficult to explain unless you have tasted it,…

which reminds me of my visit 6/30 to Kauffman’s (see the 17th post from bottom): a man from Germany was looking at some commercial baked items when i suggested he try shoo fly pie instead. in his broken english he asked what was in it–what kind of fruits? i read the ingredients–molaases mostly! he didn’t know ‘molasses’ so i said sugar, no fruit! he was puzzled. then his wife came by, who spoke good english. she was wary of buying a fruit-less pie, so i suggested they try a piece of shoo fly at a local restaurant first. she then asked if there was local cooking around there! i set her straight very quickly! wondered if they tried shoo fly and what they thought? anyone who hasn’t, you must when in Lanc county. you’ll love it or hate it! then try the ‘purple eggs’!

Hi,Everyone would love to visit Lancaster again and visit the market again, you just can’t see it all in one visit. Love the area very much. Sincerely, Barbara Ann

Nothing feels more soothing than a trip to the market!

Shoo-fly pie and apple-pan dowdy makes your eyes light up and bla bla bla. I forgot the rest the song.

I went to this market a long time ago and if they don’t have it you don’t need it! Wonderful.

THE MARKET PLACE IN LANCASTER IS REALLY HUGHE, THE WHOLE FAMILY WILL ENJOY THIS WONDERFUL PLACE , WE SURE DID SEVERAL TIMES. TASTING THE PRODUCTS SAMPLES AND WATCHING THE PRODUCTS MADE WAS A SITE TO SEE;;;;

forget shoofly pie-whoopie pies rule!

I’m looking forward to my trip home in the fall. I definately plan on visiting Lancaster.

Central Market – oh, the memories of going “down” to Lancaster for a day of shopping, including the wonderful Central Market, a place that has been there longer than any of us have, to get so many good foods! Thinking of Shoofly pies reminds me of a line from a song “shoofly pie and “apple Pandowdy”. Just what is pandowdy anyway? and is it something we here in Lancaster Co. might know by another name. After all, we’re famous for so many dishes here in the “Garden Spot” of America!!

The photo reminds me that we have an abundance of Farmer’s markets here though none rival the Lancaster Centeral MArket. Straight from the farm is the best!

Central market sounds great. I have been to Lancaster many times but I have not visited their market, so next time I’ll have to make that a definate stop. I do enjoy farmer’s markets, and shoo fly pie is GREAT! I bought one at Millers along with an apple pie WOW!

We have been to Lancaster area a few times and any of the markets are wonderful.

Did you say Shoo-Fly pie ? Every trip my wife and I make to Lancaster area our car mysteriously stops at markets/bakeries/private homes that sell Shoo-Fly pie and some how one always ends up in our car for the trip back home to South Jersey :>)

I’ve only been to Central Market one time but I do love all farmers’ markets and visit the ones in the Harrisburg area often. You just can’t beat the freshness and array of the foods being offered for sale.

I must admit on all the many visits to Lancaster County, we have not yet visited Central Market…but now it will be on our agenda for our next trip. Been to the one in Bird-in-Hand several times, so will see how they compare. I do make shoo-fly pie and it definetely goes best warm with Turkey Hill Slow-churned Vanilla Ice Cream! :>)

There’s nothing like summer in this part of the world. We always look forward to the bounty our farmers provide this time of year!

I have to check it out, since I live close by in Philly these days. It seems like a nice stop for a day trip to Lancaster.

I’ve been to this market and really enjoyed it. Thank your for the Lancaster tour.

Thanks for all the great information. I wish we had a market like this by me. There is nothing like fresh products.

I was there years ago, it is good to know that the some of our good things are still preserved.

After seeing all those homemade jellies at Lancaster Market it makes me want to go to an area farmstand that is a bit of a ride for me but it makes me really appreciate the joys of summera and its bounty!

I love your ice cream and the history behind it. We had a ice cream cone from another vendor and the flavors we noticed were very blah. we love you Turkey Hill and Lancaster!

We have a farmers market here where I live. Central Market sounds as wonderful as ours is. Next time we are in Lancaster we will have to check it out.

There is a dutch farmers market right down the street from me that sells items from Lancaster County. The food is delicious.

Going through all the places you have had a story about my favorite place of all so far is CENTRAL MARKET this is usually the last place we go to before going back home to South Jersey. We bring fresh veggies and fruits from there. Then we drive to the Bird in Hand Bake shop (not the one at the farmer’s market but the one on Gibbons road)and pick up our cinnamon buns, raisin bread and cookies. We have an ice cream cone and sit outside and watch the animals in the petting zoo. Then we get in the car and come on home and until next time we do the same thing. Thank you so much for letting me take this virtual journey throug Lancaster County. Next time my husband has some time off from work I think I will be taking this tour in person. I am really wishing for some of these goodies! Thank you again.!!!!

The Market sounds interesting. The next time we are in the area we will have to visit it. Of course it will give me less time outlet shopping.

I love to go to farmer’s markets, and Esther’s jams and jellies sure look good. I just wished I lived closer to try them out……..

We have a Farmer’s Market here in my area but on a smaller scale and you really get spoiled. Once you’ve had home-made jams and jellies you don’t want store-bought anymore. My mother used to make her own jellies many years ago but I was too young to appreciate it. I sure would now!
Could anyone tell me what is shoefly pie? I’ve heard of it but don’t know what’s in it and it’s not around here (WNY)
Thank you Turkey Hill for all your interesting articles.

Sounds very interesting. A must see on our next visit to the Lancaster area

Hi again, I had to write aobut the market. I have never been to this market.but I bet, since gas is so high…this would be a good day trip to go to. I love canned fruits, jam, jellies, vegetables and any thing that is homemade and put in a jar. That picture make you think of the hoilday. It is so picture. The green look so green and the other color’s stand out so beautiful. Thank YOu again for a lesson in Market.. I lived in Maryland and I it is a 2 to 3 hours drive. I only wish you had a market like this one in marlyand.

My next trip to Lancaster will most certainly include this market! Thanks for all the info!

I’ve only visited Central Market twice on my visits to Lancaster, but it’s the most wonderful market I’ve ever been to. I’ve purchased Ms. Sangrey’s products and her rasberry preserves are the best I’ve ever eaten. Shoofly pie has always been one of my favorites and with Turkey Hill vanilla ice cream, I can’t think of a more perfect dessert. Thanks for sharing this history.

lancaster is the best place to be, my friend and i use to go there all the time.She knows all the places to go but she moved to Florida and i don’t see her as much as i would like to. But i have never been to turkey hill dairy if i won she would have a fit. I eat ice cream almost everyday to see it made would be a real treat.

Oh boy I love markets like that!!! I think I need to start planning a day trip to Central Market! What a great mystery prize this week – unknown goodies!

It’s always a profitable trip…we pick up the favorites and then always try something unigue. Thanks again for the history lesson.

Good Morning to all,
That picture make me think of when I was little, my mother would canned many fruits and vegetables.Durning the hoilday she would have a large tray of friuts on the tables. It look so pretty. I love her canned pear and peachs’. she would make some of them real sweet. other not so sweet. One year she canned pickle watermelon they were good. I still canned some fruits. Thank’s Turkey Hill for such pretty picture. The next time you buy Turkey hill vanilla ice cream…try putting a scop of vanilla or any falvor of Turkey hill ice cream in the center of a canned or cooked peach or pear. taste so good. You have your fruit and milk togather.

I think I will have to visit Central Market on my next trip to Lancaster. I do so much shopping there and have never been to the Market. Central Market is now on my must visit list!!!

What a colorful array of jams and
jellies…I’m sure they are soooo
delicious!

Never been to the Central Market in Lancaster — sounds like a place my husband and I would enjoy now that all the children are grown and married. We’re always looking for quaint places to go — you know, not the usual rat race type markets. And did one of the previous commenters mention ice cream and shoo-fly pie in the same breath? Now that’s my kind of heavenly treat!

I haven’t been to the market in years – when I was going to school in Lancaster I was there all the time, I really miss all of those goodies! You just can’t beat home cannning -

We’ve never been in that particular market but have sampled many of the goodies from the area.(can’t get Lebanon bologna here any more) Always have to bring home a small shoe-fly pie for our neighbors – he eats the whole thing in one sitting!

We visited Lancaster several times. It’s a charming area, quite unique.
As to ice cream, we have two of my favorite nonfat flavors to choose from in the freezer right now, Turkey Hill vanilla fudge and a new flavor that I adore, pomergranate smoothee. I think it has blueberry in it too.

This is a place i would love to visit and take in the history. Everyone should go .

I have strolled that Market many times, while living in Central Penna. I miss all that good home made goodies plus all that fresh produce. Have not had that for many years. MMMMMMMMM shoe fly pie! Would like to win the prize! Keep up the good work TURKEY HILL!

Wow I would love to stroll the Central Market with a big coneful of Turkey Hill. This place sounds like so much fun!

Born and raised in Lancaster. Now living in MD near DC. Reading these blogs makes me home-sick. Central Market was the place to go to get fresh meats, produce and baked goods. A must is Hodeckers celery stand before the holidays. What a difference fresh celey is compared to the stuff you get at the big grocery store. I still go “home” to stock the freezer. While we’re there we hit a Turkey Hill store to get one or two ice cream flavors that we can’t find in our local grocery store.

Hello All and hope Victoria had a happy Birthday.
I will be camping near Lancaster with family and will suggest a trip to the Central Market. I know everyone will be looking forward to this. We will be there in the middle of August. Happy to learn of it.

[...] TASTE OF LANCASTER COUNTY: CENTRAL MARKETDriving downtown through Lancaster City, the oldest inland city in the United States, one of the first qualities you’ll notice is the beautiful architectural designs and statues. Among some of the interesting architecture in the center … [...]

I’ve seen shoofly pie in that amish market that used to be in Grand Central but what is it? It looked like a cross between pecan pie and Mississippi Mud pie. Is it cinnamony? Sweet? Like rhubarb? Inquiring minds want to know!
I adore apple jellys and hot pepper jellys too. I use them to baste meat with a touch of sweet with a bit of zing!!! So I look forward to an explanation of shoofly pie! Later

(Spell Check) horseradish!

I hope Central Market still has a stall for fresh ground horshradish!

Yup, I know the one in Syracuse NY, it’s called the regional market. Also where we lived in Ohio we had the Westside Market in Cleveland and Hartville Market in Unionville. Reminds me alot of the Central Market you speak of with excpetion. Each market from each state seems to have more “locally made” products which I find is a REAL change from state to state. What a delightful treat that would be for the winner. Good Luck everyone!

Thank you for sharing all this information about Lancaster with us. I am from Pennsylvania but was not aware of much that you have shared. I have only been there once as it is a bit of a trip for us. I didn’t see many of the places you mention–wish I would have known.

Sounds like a place I need to visit!

I was raised on Lebanon bologna and shoofly pie.

I wish I had a central market place where I live

The BIG question is…does central market sell ice cream that is as good as turkey hill’s? cause if they do then i definitely have to make a visit there!

I wish there were a Central market type place around me! I still have to try the Lebanon Bologna, have heard a few people say how good it is.

In upstate NY, we have something that sounds comprable to Central Market and visiting it is truly a treat. What exactly is Shoofly pie? Have never heard of it and you have captured my interest with it’s name.

If you have never had it, try their pickled watermelon rind. It is excellent! Besides the super yummy goodies at the market, one is sure to enjoy the warmth and sincere friendliness of these Lancaster County people.

I just love Lebanon Bologna! I also love any homemade jam I known I would totally be in food glory!!!!at the market!!!!!

looking forward to my first visit to Lancaster county

Love those type of markets—I go to Amish markets in Ohio 2-3 times a year

I was thinking of taking a vacation day to go to Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse but I’m going to Central Market instead. Thanks for the info!

I absolutely love farm markets. Whenever we are visiting various towns, I actually look for them. That is the best place to sample local seasonings and baked goods. I have also found that the markets are a great place to learn about the particular area you are visiting. The vendors are all locals and can tell you whatever you need to know. I’ll have to visit this one someday.

don’t forget that there are other farmers markets scattered around Lanc county, especially when you are off rt. 30. such as on rt 340 near Bird-in-Hand. on 6/30 we were at kauffman’s there where we bought a few pounds of their own-grown cherries (2 of their 3 types), plus about 5 pounds of Hammonton, new jersey, blueberries. the price for 5 lbs was cheaper than we pay here in jersey (i’m only about 30 min west of Hammonton too). we also bought other goodies the area is known for, such as pear and apple butter, chow-chow, corn relish, and something new for us, pumpkin butter! having had some shoo fly pie for breakfast we didn’t buy one of those this trip. (the ‘butters’ are actually spreads, like jams, a thick applesauce consistency.)

This type of market is right up my alley. I love browsing markets such as these.

We have never visited the city of Lancaster but the Central Market looks just wonderful. I hope we can make the trip on day soon.

Lancaster Central Market is wonderful! I don’t get there as often as I’d like, but it’s always a fun and tasty visit!

My husband works for Kunzler, not Lancaster’s plant but their other plant. Kunzler meats are a favorite of Lancaster along with a few other meat companies. I am a huge fan of “Bethann’s Pepper Jelly,” as well!!

The central market sounds doubly good because it combines cultures. I’d love to go there. You folks in PA are so lucky!

I’ve been to this market & just loved it! Every few years, I enjoy taking a trip to Lancaster County & exploring the area.

Lancaster County is one of the most beautiful places in Pennsy, especially, the Amish farms. I always took my class there in May and they were very impressed. The Farmer’s Market was one of their favorite places, as is mine, because the baked goods are deeeelicious! I’d LOVE to visit the Turkey Hill complex – a dream come true!

We have never visited the city of Lancaster or the Central Market. We’ll have to make it a point to visit soon. We enjoy local farmers markets with their fresh produce and tasty products. Once you’ve enjoyed PA Dutch food, there is nothing like it!

Seeing the picture of the market reminded me of all the things my mom used to can. So healthy and colorful. My kids just get those things out of a can or jar from the grocery store. The market looks like a great place to visit.

Central Market sounds like a place we’d like to visit on our next trip to Lancaster.

I haven’t had a GOOD shoofly pie in a long time…yum…

Yay! I love living near enough to Central Market that I can walk there once a week to pick up my fresh produce… it’s not as close as my Turkey Hill though, so guess where I’m at more often! Hee hee!

Hello Turkey Hill and all of our fellow readers,

I am celebrating my birthday today and wishing everyone a beautiful day. Thanking Turkey Hill for making today a special day for me because I plan on eating Turkey Hill ice cream all day to celebrate. Looking forward to a year full of interesting trips especially one to Central Market in Lancaster County. What a fun day that will be.

Carolyn, I second Shoo Fly Pie ice cream. I actually had some at Strasburg Creamery in March-it was quite good.

Central Market is great. I also recommend Bird-in-Hand Farmer’s Market. I love farmer’s markets.

Here’s a flavor idea! Shoofly pie ice cream!