PHILADELPHIA – Reading Terminal’s newest merchant, Lancaster Produce Co., will bring high-quality seasonal produce, Amish crafts and canned goods, and potted plants to Philadelphia’s historic public market starting April 15. Owned and operated by Javan Esh of Dutch Eating Place and Lancaster County Dairy, the produce stand will focus on Lancaster County farmers, adding products from other areas of Pennsylvania and New Jersey and other parts of the country as needed. Lancaster Produce Co. will be open Monday – Saturday from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. and accept SNAP/EBT.
“Javan and his team have a strong track record here at the Market and he has approached this opportunity with a solid concept and growth mindset,” said Annie Allman, CEO and General Manager of the Reading Terminal Market Corporation, the non-profit steward of Philadelphia’s historic public market. “Lancaster Produce Co. is a great addition to exceptional produce offerings at Reading Terminal and supports our strategic plan goals of growing our local shopper customer base and bringing fresh food within reach for all Philadelphians.”
Locally grown produce means customers can expect the best quality, fewer herbicides, and more attention to detail. Esh will source as much from Amish and Mennonite farmers as possible, getting produce from a local produce auction in Lancaster County in the warmer months and utilizing greenhouse-grown options in the winter. Lancaster Produce Co. also plans to offer customers a selection of fresh-cut fruit and salads and has the goal of eventually making homemade apple sauce on-site.
The Esh family opened Dutch Eating Place, known for its delicious Pennsylvania Dutch fare and famous apple dumplings, in 1990 and Lancaster County Dairy in 1997. Javan grew up in Reading Terminal Market and started full-time at the family businesses in 2013.
“We want to provide shoppers with high-quality fresh produce and uplift the Amish and Mennonite farmers and craftspeople that make our region great,” said Javan Esh, owner of Lancaster Produce Co. “Customers can expect a wide variety of thoughtfully sourced options to round out their grocery shopping experience at Philadelphia’s historic public market.”
Lancaster Produce Co. joins Iovine Brothers Produce and OK Produce grocery options at the Market.