Capture the Warmth This Holiday Season at the Newtown PA Dutch Farmer’s Market

By Debra Forman

This is the perfect time of the year to thoroughly enjoy the warmth of comfort food at the Newtown PA Dutch Farmer’s Market then while preparing for the holidays with those we love.

While strolling along the aisles of the Newtown PA Dutch Farmer’s Market, you will be treated to a feast of wall-to-wall comfort food that is sure to awaken each of your senses, and warm you from the winter chill.

This is what happens with regulars, and new customers, who come to the Farmer’s Market at 2150 South Eagle Road in Newtown, especially during the upcoming Christmas, Chanukah and New Year Holiday Season. There are also extended hours the weeks of Christmas and New Years.

The various vendors are taking holiday orders so regulars can make sure they have everything they need for their upcoming gatherings, while enjoying a delicious lunch, hot chocolate or steaming cup of coffee.

The Extended Holiday Hours are:
Thursday December 22: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday December 23: 9 a.m-7 p.m.
Saturday December 24: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Thursday December 29: 9 a.m-6 p.m
Friday December 30: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Saturday December 31: 9 a.m-3 p.m.

In addition to all of the mouth-watering food items to enjoy at the market for lunch, dinner and dessert, as well as take home for family members and friends; people come from near and far to enjoy some of the refreshing Amish culture and traditions.

"I come to Smucker's Salads for breakfast every week because these are the best pancakes, scrapple and eggs I have ever had,” said Bob Kocak, of Newtown, a market regular. “First I eat and then I shop at the different vendors. I come here because the food is fresh and delicious and everyone here is so friendly. I will certainly purchase many items from the market for my holiday table.”

What makes the Newtown Farmer’s Market so unique is that in an age of little or no attention paid to customers, the hard-working market shop owners and their associates, are providing friendly service, coupled with the variety of items, freshness and quality, it is a crowd pleaser. Customers say they leave the market “happy and well fed.”

Also, the hard-working Amish vendors, who reside in Lancaster and travel to Newtown to sell their home-made wares, pretzels, cheese, salads, BBQ, poultry, pot pies, meats, candy, bread, cakes, pies, pudding and other desserts.

For those who enjoy the culinary arts they can buy poultry and a variety of meats to cook at home; while others can buy delicious prepared food for any size feast.

The Amish vendors are joined by local shop owners who prepare and sell falafel, humus, guacamole, salsa, sushi, fish and seafood, coffee, produce, eggs and more. Most Amish markets do not include shops like King of Falafel’s Middle Eastern specialties, Dos Amores’ Mexican food, Akiko Sushi, Klinghoffer Farms produce, and fresh fish and seafood from Madara’s Seafood.

Ruth Smucker, who owns Smucker’s Salads with her husband, Dave, said the holidays are a favorite time of the year at the market because of the bustle and holday cheer. She enjoys making cranberry sauce, apple sauce, bread pudding, rice pudding and a variety of home-made salads. “We have a large Christmas dinner surrounded by family members. It is a special time for all of us," she said.

Many of the vendors have been selling their items in the Newtown Farmer’s Market for 20 years; while others took over their business from relatives or previous shop owners.

Alvin Fisher, has owned Dutch Treats, the market’s candy and bulk foods shop, with his mom for five years. Customers come in for the Asher’s chocolates, Wilbur’s chocolate buds, nuts, nut butters, popcorn, organic honey, lollipops, other snack items and holiday treats.

Candy and nut trays, a wide variety of spices, and numerous other items are available for hostess gifts, and parties of all sizes from Dutch Treats.

“We have one customer who comes in for nuts and snacks every Friday who has been coming in for 13 years,” said Alvin’s niece, Kathy Fisher. “We have a lot of shoppers who buy the bulk foods for baking this time of year, while others just love our chocolates. So we cater to a lot of different shoppers, and we are always happy to see them.”

Walking around the market, customers enjoy watching the delicious foods being made right before their eyes, such as the buttery hand-rolled pretzels that are sold at the market.

Many children and their moms stop by Barbie’s Soft Pretzels for a delicious treat before they visit the various shops in the market. The repeat customers say it is always their first stop and they usually get a few more pretzels on their way out the door, which is something owner Ivan Stoltzfus is happy to hear.

Moses Smucker, owner of Zooks BBQ Barn, sells BBQ ribs, turkey, wings, roast beef, turkey, lunch platters, and side dishes; including sweet potatoes, carrots, veggies, and mashed potatoes. He said he enjoys his regular customers and always looks for new faces. During the holidays he is able to provide items for every size party, big or small. To warm you from the chill he also sells his home-made corn -noodle chicken soup.

One of those regulars at Zooks BBQ Barn, John Crane, a Newtown sales engineer, comes to the Newtown Farmer’s Market with his wife, every week.

“I work at home on Friday, so I am here for a lunch of smoked chicken wings, and then I shop around,” Crane explained. “You can’t compare this to a typical grocery store; it’s more like a family market. Everything is so fresh and the people here know all about the items they are serving. I look forward to buying many of my famiy's holiday items at the market.”

[For further information go to: www.newtownfarmersmarket.com]