As I headed back from an assignment today in Windsor, I spotted a small farmers market, Fitz’s Windsor Road Farm Market. I love farmers markets, especially if they’re off the beaten path. I have to force myself from stopping when I see makeshift produce stands on the side of the road during trips. I had never heard of Fitz’s before and wondered how its prices compare to larger, more conspicuous markets.
I figured I’d buy a few pieces of fruit, but once I saw the discounts, I couldn’t resist. I bought a small seedless watermelon, a cantaloupe, a pint of grape tomatoes, a pound and a half of potatoes, a yellow squash and two peppers for $8.28. I couldn’t believe how little I spent on all that locally grown produce.
I estimate that I would have spent anywhere from $13 to $15 if I bought those items at a grocery store, even if they were on sale. I buy produce at other local markets, usually Central Market in York or Brown’s in Springfield Township, but I’ve never seen prices that low.
The only thing is, I’ve been to Windsor three times in my three years of living in York County. I might make the effort in the future when buying a lot of fruits and veggies to make soups or desserts, but probably not for a weekly shopping trip.
Where do you find the best deals on local produce?
I try to live a healthy life. My health obsession likely began as worry, about illness, death and dieting, but later intrigued me to learn more about often-complex subjects. I try to educate myself every day, in little ways, to improve my quality of life through nutrition, exercise and medicine. This blog is a place to share knowledge about happy and healthy living in York County. Contact me at 
Leigh–If you’re ever out Canal Rd. east of Dover there’s another small stand I came across by accident a few weeks ago. It’s about 3 miles or so east of Hake’s store. Nice and very fresh veggies with great prices. I d0n’t know who owns or runs it.
Also, Have you tried any of the baby cantaloupe? I think I got mine from Fitz’s in Eastern Market. Very sweet with more of a cantaloupe taste like it used to taste like–if that makes any sense.
I’ll keep an eye out for it. Thanks, Jo! What kind of veggies did you get there? I haven’t tried the cantaloupe yet, but I’m looking forward to it.
Oooooh–I unexpectedly found myself near the stand today so stopped. I got some gorgeous reddish/green and a yellow pepper which I will roast on the grill, plus some corn for dinner tonight which never got eaten because I fell asleep. By the time I awakened and back to my senses I was in no mood to cook so I ate a big hunk of watermelon. But the real find there was the plums. These are not the ordinary supermarket variety of plum which I do buy–the red ones. When I bit into one of these plums it was like chomping down on a large sugar cube. Never have I eaten anything like this in my life. First of all, they are white inside and there’s no indication of this on the exterior. I ran next door to give one to my neighbor for her lunch tomorrow–she eats all day long, but good stuff. I bought only four of the plums so now I’m already down to two. I know I’ll be in Dover Friday afternoon & on the way home will stop for more plums.
BTW–those peppers were only .50 each! The smallish cantaloupe .75. I can’t remember what the plums were–maybe .75 or 1.00.
Leigh–I’m lucky enough to live just up the hill from the Fitz stand on Windsor Rd. just of Rt. 24. I’m there several times a week. They grow a lot themselves and get most of the rest locally. Michelle and John Fitz and their staff are great people. In the spring them have pick-your-own strawberries and nice flowers and hanging baskets in the summer. They just got their fall mums in–always the biggest and most reasonable I can find. They are at Eastern Market on Fridays too.
I’m also a regular Saturday customer at the Dennis Fitz stand at Central Market, stocking up on Romaine lettuce for the week at half or less the price in the supermarket. They also grow a lot of their produce, including several varieties of lettuce in season.
I love fresh York County food.
You are lucky, June! I’ll have to try their strawberries next year. I didn’t realize they had a stand at Central Market. I probably have bought some of their produce without even knowing it. Thanks for the tip!