Travel Guide

Farmers’ Markets, Farmers’ Produce Stands, Orchards

Every day, when we count our blessings, we recognize that we are fortunate to live and have our Inn in the very fertile Lebanon Valley. Milton Hershey decided to build his chocolate factory here when he sold his caramel business in Lancaster, Pa., because he needed very fertile soil to support farmer’s dairy efforts for his milk chocolate.

Today, the same fertile valley produces some of the nation’s best farmer’s markets; we couldn’t begin to list them all here. If we did, our Website would become a large producer’s directory. Our region abounds in Farmer’s Produce Stands (independent roadside venues, usually near the fields). An excellent example of such a stand is Weaver’s Produce Stand at the farm neighboring Annville Inn. Not only does much of the fresh produce Rosalie serves come from the Weaver’s farm, but our guests make a steady stream of visitors, dropping by the stand on their way home for a carload of top quality produce and the tastiest corn, when it’s in season, that they say is the best, sweetest they’ve ever eaten. If you are lucky, some wonderful baked goods may also be available on the day you visit.

Then, beyond the stands are the farmer’s markets. Four are in giant turn of the century brick buildings with soaring open roof lines sometimes three or four stories high. They remind one of a giant inner city train station, but instead are out here in PA Dutch Country, and have always served as a farm to market enterprise. Five of these colossal structures are the Farmer’s Market of Lebanon, Broad Street Market in Harrisburg, Central Market in Lancaster, the Reading Terminal Farmers Market in Reading and the Central Market House in York. If you enjoy architectural photography, these won’t disappoint. If you enjoy great locally grown produce and other specialties, any on our list will please you.

Other large markets in our area beyond those large structures include The sprawling Roots Market Complex, The Green Dragon Market, and another of Rosalie’s favorites, an outdoor market located in neighboring Palmyra that specializes in “Producers Only.” Farmers bring their produce into Palmyra each weekend during the summer, often selling out of their trailers and wagons. Most Farmer’s Markets are open Thursday, Friday, Saturday. None we are aware of are open on Sunday.