Central Market Magic.

By Jordan Swartz

So many of us have that friend who studied abroad for a semester, or the family member who visited Europe on a summer vacation, and who comes home waxing poetic about their grand vacation culinary exploits. The freshness, the endless rows of produce, the juices, and local characters – ah!

Right here in Lancaster, we’re lucky to have one of those crown jewels ourselves: Lancaster Central Market. 

Our market offers row after row stands featuring baked goods, local produce, freshly prepared foods, and more. The scent of freshly baked bread and pastries wafts through the air, while you enjoy your first sip of morning coffee. It’s a true feast for the senses. 

Growing up in Lancaster, I didn’t realize that this kind of incredible central market cannot be found in the vast majority of other American cities. Sure, there are pop-up or seasonal farmers markets to wander on the weekends, and perhaps health food stores the rest of the time – but the variety, character, and history that we are so lucky to enjoy at Lancaster Central Market are often lacking. 

We know Lancaster as farm country, but so few of us realize what that truly means. Our regional produce and dairy is sold to high-end and farm-to-table restaurants in New York, Philly, D.C., and Baltimore; meanwhile, we don’t have to go to Europe – we can just wander the aisles of our own Central Market on a quiet Tuesday morning, filling our bags with this true bounty.

centralmarketlancaster.com