Farmers Market
The Farmers Market is actually the Central Market situated in the center of Lancaster City. It is a place where CTYers buy fudge, ice cream, smoothies, fruits, wheat products (e.g., bread, pastries), etc., none of which, in any way, contain peanuts. The fudge, which is made by the Pennsylvania Fudge Company, is probably the most well-known and popular product in the Farmers Market, as CTYers often visit the Farmer's Market only for the purpose of buying fudge. The Farmers Market is within 30-45 minutes walking distance (1.36 miles) from the F&M campus.
The Farmers Market also sells non-food items, like souvenir plates with the text "Squirrel Crossing" or "In heaven there is no beer, that's why we drink it here," and the like. There are also trucker hats, keychains, and other items with the text "I Love Intercourse," which refers innocuously to the town outside of Lancaster, but the double entendre is quite obvious. Students are generally prohibited from wearing said merchandise. In the early 1990s, the Farmers Market was the best place to get large quantities of fresh flowers for cheap. Carnations were a favorite and were handed out to people on campus (reference to the line "with a pink carnation and a pickup truck" in American Pie.)
Trips to the Farmers Market are organized on First and Second Saturday mornings, but the number of trips varies every time. Sign-up sheets for the trips are normally posted in Thomas on Thursdays at Quad Time (in 08.1, the sign-up sheets were posted during the dances, leading a few Thomas residents to camp out in the lounge until the sheets were posted). Sign-up sheets are often filled very quickly, so it is wise to rush to the office after Study Hall to sign up. Advanced sign-ups might be available on Second Saturday through the RAs.
Those who sign up for later trips on Saturday may also stop by Angry, Young and Poor, the famed punk store situated in Lancaster that has sold their products worldwide through their online store.
Crafting the Essay classes sometimes go to the Farmers Market to write about/stalk interesting people. Utopias and Dystopias or TOPI classes also visit to interview the Amish residents about their lifestyles.
How to Sign Up
During the first dance, an announcement is usually made about signups for Farmer's Market, which take place either under the arches during an outdoor dance, or in the corridor leading to the lobby during an indoor dance. The earliest timeslot if 7:30AM and the latest is 10:30AM. There are usually about twenty open slots for each trip, which are scheduled periodically.
Later groups have the chance to visit Angry, Young, and Poor (AYP), which is situated in Lancaster and is usually a quick walk on the way back from Farmer's Market. The store famously sells sketchy clothing often purchased for Rocky Horror performances, stripper skirts, and possibly contraband shirts.
Recommended Vendors
Pennsylvania Fudge Company - Assorted Fudge and Root Beer
Lancaster Dairy - Assorted flavored milks (orange cream, blueberry, strawberry, etc.)
Pretzels
Homemade jams
Fresh-baked bread
SKL (occasionally a vendor stocks the famed beverage)
