Day 6: Leg Up Farmers Market in York, Pennsylvania

I'm not sure exactly what I expected from Leg Up, but what I found upon arrival was way more than I could have anticipated. Leg Up isn't just a farmers market and it's size defies the conventional stereotypes of the old-fashioned, road-side shack I'm accustomed to back on Long Island.  After grabbing a refreshing cold-pressed juice from the fridge to refuel, I chatted with the store's manager and found out a bit of backstory to the business.

The market is an extension of the Leg Up Farm Family; a non-profit entity that encompasses both the Leg Up Farm - a therapy center for children with special needs - and Able-Services, which provides day program services for adults with special needs. The store was opened with the intention of furthering the non-profit's efforts to service their already established community and beyond. Their mission is to provide healthy and truly natural food choices; the foundations of a healthy lifestyle for both those dealing with permanent health concerns as well as average families. Leg Up believes that part of fostering a healthy community includes supporting local farmers and manufacturers, adding another "leg" to their mission by focusing on carrying locally produced fruits, vegetables, meats, and packaged goods.

Given such this cohesive and successful community-building mission, it is easy to see why they were recently awarded the National Retailer of The Year for Best Community Project at the Natural Products Expo East this year. A huge congratulations to Louie, Brad, and the whole Leg Up Crew for their big win!  Speaking with Louie, it was easy to tell that the biggest reward for him and the staff is the success of the business and their mission, but recognition on such a scale is always great.  Leg Up truly embodies that wonderful place where values and services intersect with good food and great atmosphere. So let's get down to the goods...

What struck me the most about Leg Up was the sheer scope of the store. Now, I've been in my fair share of big box stores - size alone doesn't impress me. But when you get down to the details, when you really start to dig into the shelves at Leg Up, you'll find that they are not only a place of abundance, but also a place of authenticity. Their mission statement is clearly not just a good tag line to draw in business; they really are providing the community with a treasure trove of healthy and legitimately all natural, if not fully organic, food choices. I admit it was a bit overwhelming to take all of it in; I'm very accustomed to having to sift through the faux-natural stuff in large-scale stores while at Leg Up, there was no filler to be found.

Particularly of note was their local offerings in the bread, cheese, meats, and produce departments. York is located smack dab in the middle of Pennsylvania's celebrated agricultural region where communities dating back to the founding of this country grow, harvest, and produce foods with age-old traditions and artisanal methods. These communities create clean, authentic, naturally healthy products for all sorts of dietary needs and desires. It's clear that Leg Up plays a vital role in creating a thriving market that brings growers and eaters together.


Speaking of local producers, Leg Up certainly was producing an awesome spread of in-house prepared foods.  Leg Up create just about everything you could ask for under their roof; from potato, pasta, and veggie dishes to numerous chicken salad choices to fresh hummus and pickled vegetables (my personal favorites!).  If you're not a wizard in the kitchen, you could eat purely out of their deli case and never get bored.  Not to mention their cold salad bar which sports numerous unique choices to turn a simple plate of mixed greens into an exciting meal in and of itself.  Oh, did I mention they have fresh oven-fired pizza, too?


Fresh sandwiches and customized cakes round out their foodservice department and guarantee that those arriving with an appetite or an affair will leave quite satisfied.  On the lighter side, Leg Up also offers fresh pressed juices - including the essential fresh wheatgrass shots - and a plethora of options at their coffee bar.  While I haven't actually been drinking coffee in ten years, I still contend that a fine cup of coffee is one of the best flavors in the world.  These days, I relish the scent of freshly roasted beans and a hot pot just off the burner.  So walking into the aroma of quality brew was a delight; a secret handshake telling me these guys were on top of their game.

Being someone you can't quite kick out of the kitchen, I generally am focused on the raw ingredients when shopping.  While that makes me a common dweller in the produce department, dry goods like beans, grains, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit are just as big a deal for me.  This means I was basically in heaven when I arrived in Leg Up's bulk department.  The expansive selection was complimented beautifully by clean, well-stocked bins and their "Road to Zero Waste" initiative - encouraging customers to utilize reusable containers and cut down the environmental impact - reinvigorated my own desire to implement a similar system back home.

The bottom line is this; Leg Up Farmers Market is clearly the place to be if you live anywhere in the York, Pennsylvania area.  Having a big natural food store is a good thing.  Having a well-curated natural food store is another good thing.  Having one that is independently-owned, one that is connected in a very positive way to the community, one that champions great causes; that's a whole 'nother good thing.  Many stores can achieve one of the three, but to have all of those things going on at once, is something really special.  Leg Up is definitely something special and I was glad that I was able to experience it!

Leg Up Farmers Market
3100 North George Street
York, PA 17406
717-893-5998
legupfarmersmarket.com