For many families, local Amish Farmers’ markets can handle most—if not all—of their weekly grocery shopping—especially if you’re prioritizing fresh, nutritious meals.
However, there are a few things you should know before you abandon your local supermarket for good.
With that in mind, we’ve put together this handy guide to help you decide if you should wait to make your next big grocery run at The Markets or any of our other local PA Dutch farmers’ markets.
Give it a scan to find:
- The foods generally available at an Amish farmers’ market
- Notes on the quality of local markets vs big-box supermarkets
- The limitations of smaller Amish marketplaces and roadside stands
- A fun experiment to try for the next two weeks
Let’s break down how to split up your shopping time and budget. ↓
What Kinds of Foods Can You Buy at an Amish Farmers’ Market?
While each Amish marketplace carries its own unique offerings, there are a handful of staples you can expect across the board.
Here’s what you’ll find at The Markets at Shrewsbury year-round:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables from Glick’s Produce
- Locally raised meats from Country Style Fresh Meats
- Prepared meals, fresh salads, and soups from The Salad Shack
- Fresh breads and PA Dutch baked goods from Ruthie’s Bakery
- Bulk goods, baking supplies, and coffees from Trailside Bulk Foods
- Jams, jellies, and specialty jarred foods from Sarah’s Jar Goods
- Made to order sandwiches, deli meats, and local cheeses from Country Style Family Deli & The Luncheonette
- Vintage and Dutch candies from Beiler’s Candy Shoppe
What’s more, our snack and prepared-meal vendors are ready to serve up locally churned ice creams, freshly made barbeque sandwiches, salads, pretzels, and other delicious PA Dutch treats!
In other words, just about everything you need for a major grocery haul.
Is the Food at an Amish Farmers’ Market Higher Quality?
Both farmers’ markets and big box grocery outlets can sell high-quality foods.
However, a local Amish marketplace does have a few advantages:
- Baked goods are made from scratch, on-site, and right before your eyes
- Produce is largely locally grown and seasonal—meaning better taste and nutrition
- Meat counters may process fewer cuts with greater attention to detail and raising practices
Fresher ingredients, fewer overly-processed foods, and more homemade products lead many shoppers to get more of their weekly shopping done at their local Amish marketplace over time. However, there is a hidden downside…
The Markets can be dangerous territory for anyone tempted by aromatic baked goods, fried pastries, sweet sticky buns, whoopie pies, and more pie varieties than you know what to do with. So, if you’re tempted by the wafting aroma of freshly rising baked goods, you have been warned.
How Are PA Dutch Farmers’ Markets Limited?
As wonderful as Amish markets can be—esepcially here in southeastern Pennsylvania—they do have their limitations when compared to larger supermarkets.
Smaller Product Variety
While your local Wegmans, Weis, or Giant may carry 40 different jars of peanut butter (seriously), you’re likely to find only “smooth” and “crunchy” at an Amish marketplace.
If that works for you, all the better. Just know that Amish markets aren’t the best option for ultra-specific specialty products.
You’ll Shop In-Season
The benefits of a diet high in seasonal fruits and vegetables are not hype.
Eating recently picked fruits and veggies is the best way to maximize the taste and nutritional value of your produce. It’s also a great way to lower your grocery bill, as you aren’t paying transportation and storage costs.
The catch? No strawberries in January (unless they’re canned).
Limited Hours
If you need a last-minute ingredient just before 10 pm, an Amish marketplace will almost certainly be closed.
While many markets are open Mon–Sat during normal business hours, a few in our area (including The Markets) may only be open two or three days per week.
For a complete list of The Markets’ hours throughout the year, check out our yearly calendar.
You’ll Likely Need a Supplementary Store
Even Amish market diehards occasionally shop elsewhere for items like:
- Household products and cleaning supplies
- Paper goods (bathroom tissue and paper towels)
- Specialty dietary products
- National brands (hey, everyone has their favorites)
Try This for Two Weeks—You Might be Surprised What Happens
If you’re like many households in our area, you may be able to do most—if not all—of your grocery shopping at local Amish markets—particularly if your family cooks regularly, enjoys fresh ingredients, and doesn’t rely predominantly on packaged foods.
Additionally, farmer’s markets are fantastic for families that like to meal-prep. Grab your fresh ingredients in bulk on a Saturday, prep and cook on Sunday, and enjoy your lunch and dinner for the week after without having to worry about cooking a full meal after a long workday.
With that in mind—and if you’re curious about doing more of your shopping locally—we encourage you to try the following:
For the next two weeks, do the majority of your grocery shopping at The Markets or another local Amish marketplace. It can be tough to break old habits, but after focusing your meals around fresh meats, local produce, and made-from-scratch baked goods, you may find the supermarket slowly fading as the main event of your shopping week…
Something you may not have previously thought possible.
We Look Forward to Your Visit to The Markets!
Since 2001, The Markets at Shrewsbury has been considered one of the best Amish farmers' markets in Pennsylvania. Our traditional Amish marketplace features 18 unique vendors serving classic Pennsylvania Dutch fare, handmade crafts, clothing, and home goods. We look forward to serving you with some regional treats, farm-fresh meats and produce, and friendly conversation!
