Photos: Jill Distler
The Masonic Village’s Farm Market and Orchard View Café sit just over two miles away from Elizabethtown College’s campus. The market has been in Elizabethtown for over 100 years, and “Farmer Tad,” the current owner, is very proud of the success of the market and café.
“I love it here,” Tad said. “It attracts a lot of people from the area, and everyone loves the market and café.”
The market has a very welcoming atmosphere. When customers walk into the market, the amount of produce and other fresh, homemade products astounds them. In their orchards, they grow sweet cherries, peaches, nectarines, pears and over 60 different varieties of apples, just to name a few. They also offer pick-your-own apples and pumpkins each fall.
“All year round, we have my special, award-winning apple cider that is a mix of fresh apples that we grow here and unfiltered juice. It’s a hit every year; everyone loves it,” Tad said.
Aside from fresh produce, the Farm Market also offers fresh-baked cookies, pies and apple dumplings daily. At the Orchard View Café, they serve hand dipped ice cream from Memorial Day through October.
“The ice cream we serve actually comes from a local creamery called Trickling Springs Creamery. They make their ice cream in micro batches and use whole milk from their cows, so it’s premium quality,” Tad explained.
The Farm Market also sells other produce from local farms, including sweet corn, pumpkins, strawberries and tomatoes.
“Everything we sell is fresh. All of the produce is either grown here or sourced locally, and I am very committed to that ideal,” Tad said.
Tad also explained that during the peak of each growing season, a local Pennsylvania Dutch family uses their freshly harvested fruits to make fruit butters that are sold at the Farm Market.
“They make the butters by slowly cooking the fruit until it simmers down to a butter-like consistency. The fruit is pureed, and most butters contain at least 40 percent more fruit than a jam, I’d say,” Farmer Tad stated.
The Orchard View Café is located in the same place as the market. It has comfortable seating and overlooks the York and Lancaster area, the perfect picturesque scene to enjoy ice cream. From there, there is a breathtaking view of woodland, the orchards, cattle and so much more.
“The Orchard View Café is a relatively new addition to the Masonic Village. We started it in 2015. Right now at the café, our seasonal ice cream flavors are pumpkin and Dutch apple. Both are a hit this time of year because they are the perfect fall flavors,” Farmer Tad said.
The café also serves light fare, including homemade potato chips, soup, their special sausage and a weekly special sandwich. One of their best sellers is called a Sloopy, which is a slushy made of layers of vanilla ice cream and Farmer Tad’s apple cider. One of the Farm Market’s unique services is the “Orchard 2 Office” box, which is available April to the end of August. In the box are 15 to 20 pieces of fresh produce that are in season, and the box is delivered right to your door with free delivery. The boxes themselves are $22.
“This is a great service we offer because it saves you money. For the amount of produce you’re getting, you’re paying less than you would in a grocery store. Plus, it’s free delivery! It’s a pretty popular service,” Tad said.
The Masonic Village’s Farm Market and Orchard View Café are the perfect place to get fresh produce or a bite to eat. The service and atmosphere are welcoming, homey and friendly. It’s just a short drive to visit; their address is 310 Eden View Road, Elizabethtown, PA 17022.
