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Please The Central Market Trust During EXTRAGIVE 2024
During the annual ExtraGive on Friday, November 22nd, we invite you to show your support for your hometown market by donating to The Central Market Trust.
You can help ensure the Lancaster Central Market will continue to serve our community for generations to come. Your donation helps to fund the daily operations of our historic building, our popular community events like Harvest Breakfast, and supporting our food sharing programs like SNAP and the Kathleen L. Peck After Market Program.
We are thrilled to share some news about our food sharing programs, and why it is so crucial that they receive the necessary funding to continue. In just the month of October, 1,346 pounds of food was distributed to nearly 200 Lancaster neighbors through our After Market program. Food that would otherwise likely be wasted is finding its way home and nourishing our neighbors. The program continues to grow in size with an increasing range of donations from standholders, and more eager folks waiting in line every Tuesday and Saturday. We couldn’t be happier about it! But as the program grows, so too do our costs.
That includes our SNAP program, which is now offered Market-wide! Shoppers who visit the Market Info Stand can purchase Market SNAP Vouchers with their benefits, to be used throughout market (visit the Info Stand to learn more). Since offering SNAP Market-wide, there has been a 1,034% increase in shoppers using their SNAP benefits at market – wow! Our friends at High Foundation – whose support continues to be instrumental at Central Market – have generously given to the creation of a Double Bucks Rewards Program (a dollar-for-dollar match up to $30 a day) at Market, which has soared in popularity. One Marketgoer told us that the SNAP Double Bucks Program at Market “saved” them over the summer. We are continuously humbled and uplifted by the success of these programs. But we need your help to ensure they continue, and offer this indispensable benefit to your Lancastrian neighbors.
Find out more about how you can support the Lancaster Central Market through ExtraGive here.
Older Posts
Updates on Food Sharing Programs
Did you miss us?! We are sorry we have been quiet on this portion of the website for a little while, but we are back with regular updates, stories and photos from your hometown market! For starters, we’d like you update you on some goings on with our food sharing...
Celebrate National Farmer’s Market Week 2023
August 6-12 is National Farmer’s Market Week! It’s the 24th year the National Farmer’s Market Coalition has celebrated this week and we are all for it! Lancaster Central Market is a treasure that has impacted the lives and community of Lancaster, PA for almost 300 years. It’s our Market that brings livelihood to our standholders, joy to our shoppers as they visit for breakfast or lunch breaks with loved ones and friends, it impacts the personality of the city on Market days as shoppers and standholders alike walk to and from the Market hall and it brings the absolute best of Lancaster to all who visit for the freshest local produce, recipes and so much more.
This Aug. 6-12 make a special stop into Market to celebrate National Farmer’s Market Week with us and show our farmers and standholders just how special they are to you and your life!
See you at Market!
Lancaster Central Market Voted USA Today’s Top Ten 10Best
We proudly announce Lancaster Central Market as one of the top 10 Farmer’s Markets in America as voted on in USA Today’s 10Best Reader’s Choice 2023! Lancaster Central Market is unlike any other - a history of almost 300 years, aisles lined with stands full of the...
Summer Produce at Lancaster Central Market!
Experience the Abundance of Summer Produce at Lancaster Central Market! Lancaster Central Market, located in the heart of downtown Lancaster, has been a hub for local farmers and food enthusiasts for almost 300 years! Known for our vibrant atmosphere and diverse local...
Second Annual Strawberry Festival
There is nothing like the taste of a fresh, locally grown Strawberry. And if you agree to that sentiment, you will love our Second Annual Strawberry Festival on Saturday, June 10, from 8 am to 12 pm! The Lancaster Central Market Standholders are gearing up for this...
Getting Ready for Spring Harvest
Here at Lancaster Central Market, we get excited when Spring rolls around. The dead of winter has thawed to new life and with it blooming flowers, milder temperatures and most exciting, seedlings germinating to soon bring fresh selections to our Market stands! Spring...
Celebrate Spring with Market!
Whether you’re looking to fill your family’s Easter baskets with special sweet treats, garnish your home with the bounty of beautiful locally grown flowers or shop the absolute best ingredients to make your special Ramadan, Passover or Easter Celebration meals,...
Celebrate March with Market!
Celebrate Saint Patrick's Day and the Budding of Spring with Central Market! When you shop at Lancaster Central Market this Saint Paddy’s Day - you can make your Market day fun for the whole family! Get all you need to cook (in an Instant Pot or Slow Cooker, no less!)...
Celebrate February with Market!
February may seem like a bleak month when the winter chill sets in… but don’t let the weather deceive you - there is much to celebrate and fun to be had this month! We are here to warm you up and help you celebrate all month long. We are open on both Valentine’s Day...
Lancaster Central Market Launches After Market Program
Designed to ensure nutritious food ends up on local tables, not in landfills, Market Standholders offer free goods that will expire before the next Market day. The After Market program is a revised iteration of a previous food donation program from Central Market...
Slow Cooker Season – Slow Cooker Apple Crisp
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup light brown sugar 1/2 cup white sugar 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg 1 pinch of salt 1/2 cup of butter (cut into pieces) 1 cup of chopped walnuts 1/3 cup of white sugar 1 tbsp of cornstarch 1/2 tsp of ground...
Slow Cooker Season – Juicy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
Ingredients: 1-4 lbs turkey breast 1 head of garlic cut in half horizontally 1 large onion (brown, yellow, or white) unpeeled, cut in half 5 sprigs of fresh thyme Rub: 1-1/2 tsp garlic powder 1-1/2 tsp onion powder 1 tsp paprika 2 tsp salt 1 tsp black pepper 2 tbsp...
Slow Cooker Season – Vegan Chili
Ingredients: 1-1/2 cups vegetable broth 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa 15 oz black beans (1 can rinsed and drained) 14 oz diced tomatoes (don't drain) or 2 cups fresh diced tomatoes 1/4 cup red bell pepper (chopped) 1/4 cup green bell pepper (chopped) 1 medium carrot (diced)...
Slow Cooker Season – Crock Pot Fresh Green Beans, Potatoes and Ham
Ingredients: 2 lbs fresh green beans rinsed and cut into bite size pieces 4 large thin-skinned potatoes, yellow or red, washed and cut into bite size pieces 5 cups ham cubed 1 ham bone 32 oz chicken broth 1 tablespoon garlic salt 1/4 cup onion diced Instructions: Put...
Slow Cooker Season – Beef Stew
Ingredients: 2 lbs Beef chuck 1 Bay leaves 1 Carrot, Large 4 Garlic cloves 2 tsp Thyme, Fresh Leaves 1/2 Yellow onion, Large 2 Yukon gold potatoes 2 cups Beef broth 1/4 cup Tomato paste 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1/2 tsp Black pepper, Coarsely Ground 2...
Slow Cooker Season – Chicken & Butternut Squash Stew
Ingredients: 1 bunch of fresh cilantro 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano 1 tsp cumin Salt and pepper to taste 6 skinless, boneless chicken thighs 1 tbsp olive oil or as needed 1 large onion chopped 6 cloves garlic, chopped 2 pounds butternut squash chopped into 1-inch cubes...
Mayor’s Tree Lighting
Enjoy the Mayor’s Tree Lighting in the Market District This year the Southern Market opened as a market again, reclaiming its roots. It’s a beautiful space filled with food vendors offering a fabulous array of cuisines from around the world. Many people mentioned...
Why Give to Central Market Trust?
Why Give to Central Market Trust? That is a question you may be asking yourself this giving season. There are so many nonprofits in Lancaster, PA doing amazing work. Why choose to spend some of your generosity on Central Market Trust? There are endless reasons, not...
Autumn Harvest Bounty – Farm Fresh Recipe
Our faithful Market shopper, Alicia Byler, co-owner of Telltale Dress. Season's Final Bounty: a Farm-Fresh Favorite The eggplant harvest will take its final bows in October, so now is the time to gather the season’s last bounty of this farm-fresh purple...
ExtraGive 2022
ExtraGive 2022 The ExtraGive is happening again on November 18, 2022. The ExtraGive is a celebration inspiring individual donations and shining a light on the work of our Community Benefit Sector. The Central Market Trust is a nonprofit organization developed to...
Late Summer’s Bounty – Farm-Fresh Meal
Sun Dried Tomato Pasta with Sweet Corn & Basil Late summer’s bounty is prime time for fresh produce; corn, tomatoes, and basil create a perfect summer meal. INGREDIENTS: 🔸 8 cups of water 🔸 1 Tbsp of salt 🔸 1 lb. orecchiette pasta 🔸 ½ cup of large diced, sun-dried...
Setting the Table for Harvest Breakfast 2022
Mark Your Calendars! We've started the countdown to the most delicious day of the year! One of the Market's most popular annual traditions takes place on the first Saturday in October. Join the Lancaster Central Market for the 24th Annual Harvest Breakfast on...
Celebrate Summer Recipe
Celebrate the Season All Summer Long! Conner Smith can be found at the Fox & Wolf Stand #39 at Market. He fills his stand to the brim each week with USDA-certified organic produce, eggs, and farm flowers from a generational farm in Pine Grove started by his...
Bruce and Market
When Bruce Martin first came to know Lancaster Central Market in the 1980’s he was reminded of home, “my 90+-year-old landlady would grab her market basket and walk to the Central Market returning with produce similar to what I remember growing in our family garden as...
Guts, Heart, and a little Naivety: The Women Business Owners of Lancaster Central Market
Lancaster Central Market houses 18 women-owned businesses under its historic slate roof. The added pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic forced many of the small businesses in Lancaster Central Market to rethink their business models and adapt. Owning a small business...
Miesse Candies and Market
Since November 2011 Miesse Candies has been a staple of the Central Market Family. However, the history of the chocolate business and Market intertwine throughout Miesse’s 145-year history boasting multiple downtown locations, sometimes at the same time. “Miesse...
Holidays at Market
Back to Normal! The past two years have changed everything. Our holidays and gatherings were not the same. We hope this year you can safely gather with your friends and family. It’s a nice return to normal. At Market, it brings us joy that we can host you again....
Crowded Kitchen and Market
“Opening here with a really loyal community... the local shopping community, I’m so glad.” In 2015, Drew Moore left his career and sold his home to follow his culinary dreams to New York City. After five years in the industry, Moore knew food was his passion but he...
Introducing New Hours
Soulcialize and Market
When Corey Woods took over Rafiki’s African Deli in early 2020 he had big plans for the stand. What he could not predict was the coronavirus pandemic and how it would shape his business over the next several months. “It started off...I would say it was average but...
Lancaster Central Market Mask Policy
Dear Lancaster Community, During these unprecedented times, the Central Market Trust has remained committed to maintaining the core functions of Lancaster Central Market: serving as a fresh food source for the Lancaster community. As we have entered the green phase in...
Our Community and Safety
Dear Lancaster Community, Since its inception, the Central Market Trust has strived to make Market a welcoming, safe place for our community to gather. Community is one of the core values of the Trust, and our commitment to community will not change. Recently,...
In This Together: Oola Bowls
“I don't think we will ever have the luxury of knowing the right answer,” Joe Ferderbar shared of he and Oola Bowls co-owner Brock Snider wrestling with whether or not to stay open. Their journey into the era of this pandemic began with the heartbreak of having to...
Reintroducing Saturday Hours
In these unprecedented times, the Central Market Trust has remained committed to maintaining the core function of Lancaster Central Market: serving as a fresh food source for the Lancaster community. We have strived to ensure this continues throughout the novel...
In This Together: Barr’s Farms
“Honestly, no,” Ben chuckled when asked if he sleeps anymore. “It’s a family business, so I have a lot of passion and drive keeping me going.” By the end of March, Lancaster County found itself with a shelter-in-place directive, and Ben Barr, just a few short days...
Continuing Safe Practices in Market
In these unprecedented times, the Central Market Trust is committed to maintaining the core function of Lancaster Central Market: serving as a fresh food source for the Lancaster community. To ensure this continues throughout the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), the...
In This Together : Horse Shoe Ranch
“Think of it as a wonderful cooking and eating surprise,” Brittany noted of their new online-to-delivery model of sharing farmed goods with the community. Earlier this year in February, Brittany and Bryan Donovan excitedly shared that they have a tiny farmer of their...
Modified Hours
In these unprecedented times, the Central Market Trust is committed to maintaining the core functions of Lancaster Central Market: serving as a fresh food source for the Lancaster community. To ensure this continues throughout this coronavirus pandemic...
Shop Local Without the Contact
As the Lancaster Central Market continues to operate we acknowledge that this is not business as usual. Moving forward and navigating the ongoing COVID19 concerns we wanted to share alternative options our standholders are providing so you can have access to fresh...
Keep Our Distance – With Our Doors Open
A message from Brenda Buescher, Chair of the Central Market Trust: Central Market is more than a historic landmark or a tourist attraction. Above all, we are your fresh food market. We are an essential source of fresh and healthy foods for the community, including...
Lancaster Central Market is Open!
We're open come support your local businesses. Central Market is working closely with the Department of Health and taking every precaution to ensure the market stays open. What We're Doing · Following CDC guidelines for cleaning and maintenance. · ...
Christmas and New Year’s Hours 2019
Our hours around the Christmas and New Year's holidays are as follows: Tuesday 12/24 from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday 12/25 Closed Tuesday 12/31 from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday 1/1 Closed Please keep in mind that Standholders may choose to close their businesses on...
Harvest Breakfast
Join us at Central Market on Saturday, October 5th from 8am - 12pm for the annual Harvest Breakfast. Bring your friends, family, and appetite! Also Featuring: Live Music Face Painting Pumpkin Painting Visit with baby chicks, a mini-horse, and a baby goat with the...
Topped with a historic slate roof
For more than four months this past autumn, ground-to-roof scaffolding lined the streets surrounding Market, and its beautiful rafters were hidden beneath protective plastic – all in the name of historic restoration. A dedicated roofing team spent countless hours...
Christmas and New Year’s Hours 2018
Our hours around the Christmas and New Year's holidays are as follows: Monday 12/24 from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday 12/25 Closed Monday 12/31 from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday 1/1 Closed Please keep in mind that Standholders may choose to close their businesses on either...
Gypsy Kitchen and Market
After taking a more than 20-year hiatus from the restaurant world, Ed Diller is back. “I love what I do,” he shared, and you can tell. Nestled on the campus of Lancaster Theological Seminary in Dietz Hall, you’ll find Gypsy Kitchen, a uniquely beautiful dining space...
Central Market Juice Company and Market
Brad Charles and Sue Ann Yyska, owners of Central Market Juice Company, truly are two of the most kind-hearted humans in Lancaster – maybe even the world. “That’s why we’re here, we love people,” Brad joyfully shared, with Sue Ann continuing, “We really love the...
Commonwealth on Queen and Market
Since she was a kid, Rachael Vieni Reinmiller, owner at Commonwealth on Queen, has had a soft spot in her heart for food. A love that has blossomed from time in the kitchen with her mother as a young girl to the seemingly unconventional start of a lovely café. “It’s...
The Patterson Family and Market
As her adorable sons, Thatcher and Coltrane, proudly walked down the south side aisle with donuts, affectionately called “bribe food,” from Shady Maple clenched in their tiny fists, Jessica said, “They’re Market kids.” And with that simple phrase, a million happy...
Slate Roof Construction to Begin August 20
The time has come for work to begin on raising the new slate roof atop our beloved Lancaster Central Market, a project that would not have been possible without the incredible support of our generous community of donors. We are working closely with the project team to...
Buona Tavola and Market
A teacher by trade, pasta-making in any capacity other than for her own personal culinary enjoyment was not ever something Christina Handwerk thought she would ever do. But the idea was sparked over lunch with a dear friend, Ben Stolztfoos – over Mexican food, no...
Annie Bailey’s and Market
For as long as he can remember, trips to Market have simply always been a part of life for Josh Funk. He fondly recalled Saturday visits with his family, “I grew up here in Lancaster, so when I was a kid, going down to Market pretty much every Saturday with my...
Brenda and Market
It is bittersweet news to share that our most faithful good steward of Market, Valerie Moul, Chair of the Central Market Trust, will be retiring at the close of this month. Valerie, your good stewardship of Market has been nothing short of awe-inspiring; thank you....
Pure Palate Organic and Market
Upon chatting with Feizal Fakier, it’s clear that he’s proud to be here at Market with Pure Palate Organic. In fact, it’s right where he’s meant to be. His passion for the organic, raw, and fermented dairy goods he brings to Market each week is palpable, and his...
Gene and Market
Upon reading our most recent post, you may remember that Mayor Sorace connected us with Gene Shaw, a kind gentleman enjoying a hot dog lunch at a table along the south side of the Market House. The table where he sat is one that he created, and the Market House in...
Mayor Sorace and Market
She walks into the Market Office toting a canvas bag filled to the brim with fresh produce, and asks for help in not forgetting to have her empty milk container filled before she leaves. Chuckling, she notes that this is “‘legit’ how I walk around.” Her honesty is...
Lancaster County Coffee Roasters and Market
Roasting coffee is a passion for Scott Smith, who started Lancaster County Coffee Roasters in the early 2000s with his brother. They found a spot on Ross Street on the East Side of the City, purchased a piece of roasting equipment with a partner, and the rest is...
Gladys and Market
The original seed for Stories of Market was planted last September after meeting a woman named Gladys while taking in the beauty of some oscar milkweed bunches at Thomas Produce. We struck up a conversation, and she kindly agreed to share a little bit about what...
The Horse Inn and Market
Tucked along Fulton Street on the east side of the City, the Horse Inn has been a local restaurant since 1920. In fact, it’s the longest continuously running restaurant in the City, a detail which made the telling of its relationship with the longest continuously...
New Fraktur-inspired Market Design
We recently worked with local illustrator, and Market-lover, Laura Korzon of Paper Jane on a new design for merchandise at Lancaster Central Market. To celebrate the new design, Laura was kind enough to take a few moments to talk about what Market means to her and the...
Raise the Roof: An Update
Funds have been raised, and now prospective contractors have been made aware. Many, many wheels have been set in motion toward the next stop on our journey to a new, historically sound slate roof atop Lancaster Central Market. If you’re just tuning in, the Central...
We’ve Refreshed!
Three days each week, more than 60 incredible Standholders from in and around beautiful Lancaster County bring to Lancaster Central Market fresh, local food and goods to share with the surrounding community. It is our hope, as the Central Market Trust, that this new...