Root's Country Market & Auction — Attraction in East Hempfield Township

I spent a most wonderful and amazing autumn afternoon at Root's! If you are looking for Amish / farmer specialties and super-fresh organic produce, you'll know you have arrived as soon as you walk through the market place. Here I purchased 2 cases of tomatoes labeled "seconds" at $5 per case. (I promise you that the sauce and salsa will never know they were marked as seconds.) Here there is everything you could want as far as produce goes. Remember, you are surrounded by acres and acres of farm land and cornfields! From someone who is accustomed to the city farmers' Market prices, these prices are ridiculously cheap, and the quality is stellar.

There is so much more to Roots than just the Produce market. If you come here you MUST at least sit in on the live auction that occurs in one of the buildings behind the outdoor market. There is an auctioneer and two or three men showing the produce and various items up for bid. Also, there is a set schedule of what is slated for sale. I sat in on the auction for produce, which was quite entertaining and well attended. It helps to have an auctioneer with a sense of humor! I ended up with a case of heirloom tomatoes, a case of strawberries and a case of mangoes! If you wish to participate, you will need to register near the back where you will be assigned a number for bidding purposes. You may consider inviting a friend along and sharing the lot because, a "lot" is a lot for a single person or family. On the auction block that day were: strawberries, potatoes, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, mangoes, cases of cookies, organic carrots, lemons, papayas, celery, breakfast cereal, and much more! Later in the day pumpkins, gourds, and gigantic mums were on the schedule. If you do win here at the auction, you can drive up to the barn and load up after paying, of course.

An additional building on the property held live chickens and bunnies. They were caged, and I did not venture in, but I assume they are for sale as well. There is also Amish furniture for sale on site.

There is an indoor market which features many crafts and Amish specialties food items, cheeses and a deli. Here you can find whole raw milk and eggs, and most of the food counters inside are run by young Amish women. I bought some shepherd's pie and some broccoli salad; both delicious!

There are several outside food vendors, and across the street from the outdoor market is an indoor and outdoor flea market for those who wish to browse.

Please note: Roots is open TUESDAY only and the outdoor market is seasonal. While you can use a credit card at the auction, the outdoor market and the other stands are cash only. There is an ATM inside. I recommend that you bring a large bag or even a cart on wheels. There is a parking lot that is not far unless you are carrying cases...

Roots Country Market is always a great way to spend a Tuesday. Located in the beautiful countryside of Lancaster County, you'll find anything you could possibly need. There are two different areas of the market. First, you have the 'yard sale' section, which is outside. This section is just that, a huge yard sale. Many people set up their tables early in the morning, hoping to sell their wares.

Now if you go inside the buildings, you'll find a whole different world. A world full of fresh meat, chicken, turkey, assorted cheeses, bakery items, plants, flowers, socks, kitchen items, dolls, toys, and everything in between. There are a lot of different vendors selling anything you could need. And some things you didn't think you needed. The food options are plenty. From pizza to sausage, fried chicken, candy, ice cream, fresh homemade sticky buns, apple dumplings, chow chow, and pickled everything. You definitely won't leave hungry. Whether you're looking for a gift for someone or just shopping for yourself, you will find it here at Root's.

Amish made furniture, produce, and so much more. It's a great way to spend a Tuesday with friends or even by yourself. It is open at 7 a.m., I believe. The outside vendors start breaking down their sites at around 1:00, and the inside businesses are open until 4:00.

Also, on Saturdays and Sundays, they do have a craft show on site as well. Root's itself is closed, and there are no yard sale vendors. It's all about homemade gifts and the such.

Check it out. You...

Root's to us locals is pronounced so it rhymes with soot (like in your chimney). I grew up riding my bike here as a kid decades ago. Some vendors have changed over the years, but there are also some stalwarts like S Clyde Weaver, Brubakers, Hodeckers celery and more that you can rely on for quality over generations. Tons of fresh vegetables and fruits of every kind would be the main draw for many. Something for anyone from handmade crafts to a zillion kinds of canned and jarred foods and preserves. My daughter picked up some beef jerky from a vendor that had more than a dozen homemade flavors. We got fresh funnel cakes & some soft pretzels as well. No visit is complete unless we get a big bag of caramel Kettle Corn from the stall that has workers stirring the caramel in a copper kettle during the day, the smell is intoxicating. On today's visit we got there around 6:45 pm & many vendors were breaking down, so we were on the late side. IT'S ONLY OPEN ON TUESDAYS, that's key to remember. Only took pic of the Kettle Corn stand today. Across from the main Roots buildings they have additional vendors. In an old mill, they have artists that create their goods by hand, we saw jewelry, paintings and glass pieces. Outside of the mill, through a grass & gravel lot are dozens of tables in a flea market setup. I believe it is more for the mornings, as many vendors were busy packing up & it was...