FRIENDS INITIATIVES
Strengthening our market

Friends of Central Market demonstrates its stewardship of the market by increasing awareness of the public market through activities and outreach, by promoting locally grown produce, by helping preserve the historic markethouse, and by fostering best practices that characterize successful public markets.

Supporting our Local Farmers and Producers
Friends of Central Market works to promote Lancaster County farmers, producers, and businesses within Market by promoting local products and hosting seasonal events to showcase these products to the community. With greater community outreach and involvement, we can work toward a more locally sustainable Market. Learn more about the benefits of supporting local agriculture and local businesses:
Pennsylvania Buy Fresh Buy Local
Food Routes
PASA Farming
Susquehanna Sustainable Business Network

Library of Congress Local Legacies Project
We’re leading an Oral History Project that is part of a Library of Congress Local Legacy Project on Central Market. The Oral History project has discovered how deeply the sense of belonging to the Lancaster community continues to be rooted in the Central Market experience. If you’re interested in participating in the Oral History project, click here to contact Friends, and be sure to type Oral History in the subject line.

Research and Best Practices
By funding research and identifying best practices, we’re discovering why public markets are important to many aspects of a thriving community and how to strengthen those roles. Friends of Central Market spearheaded “Central Market in our Community Food System,” a report on Central Market’s role in Lancaster’s urban food system. The project was undertaken in association with The Center for Liberal Arts and Society and The Center for the Study of Local Economy at Franklin and Marshall College, with pro bono technical support from Innovation Focus Inc. and additional support from the Christian A. Johnson Foundation and the Seachrist Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies.

The Central Markethouse
Essential to the unique character of Central Market is the historic markethouse built in 1889. To help protect the integrity of this architectural treasure, Friends of Central Market has initiated an Historic Structure Report to guide the treatment and use of the markethouse over the course of its life. In addition, design guidelines have been established to preserve the historic character of the structure.

Events
Throughout the year, Friends of Central Market hosts special events to bring people to market and provide information, both about Central Market and about the Lancaster Buy Fresh Buy Local campaign. Among our most-popular activities are the Harvest Breakfast, Hot Spiced Saturday, Halloween Tours, January Hot Chocolate, and February Something Red.

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