Green Ridge Farm Market and Café Opens in Hampden Township’s Healthy Grocer Location

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Sometimes timing is everything, a fact of which Ruthie Lapp and family are all too aware. Before they made plans to expand Green Ridge Farm Market, they operated a stand at the Broad Street Market selling items raised on their Lancaster farm.  

“We would have been there 14 years in November had we not made plans to move out prior to the fire,” said Lapp, adding that they chose the location that formerly housed the Healthy Grocer because they often shared the same customers—a demographic for whom healthy eating is a priority.  

The market and café held its grand opening with a well-attended chicken barbecue on August 5, which they will continue to do starting at 10 a.m. until sold out on the first Saturday of every month. 

As in their previous store at the Broad Street Market, the Lapp family sells 100 percent grass fed meat and organic and local produce and products, only this time they’ve added a small café with four tables to their 6,000 square foot space where customers can enjoy breakfast sandwiches, burgers, ice cream, acai bowls, hot soups and made-to-order salads. 

The Lapps also offer a large selection of libations, like kombucha, hot and iced teas, lattes crafted with Passenger coffee from Lancaster and a variety of sodas from the cooler, like “Jamaica’s Finest Ginger Beer,” advertised on the label as ‘hot, hot, hot.’  

“We also carry a selection of fair-trade coffee and beans can be ground fresh,” said Lapp. 

Another product that customers seek out is certified organic milk and it’s important to know where that comes from since labels always aren’t what they seem, according to the Lapps.  

Some organic milk companies milk thousands of cows in confinement conditions, but because they feed from Certified Organic crops, the milk can then be labeled as Certified Organic, according to Lapp, who added that customers can trust their store to offer only high quality raw, organic milk products from free-range cows, along with 100 percent grass-fed cheese. 

Bulk items are also offered so customers can control their own portions with items like beans, lentils, rice and a large variety of spices. For those with digestive issues, the Lapps’ baker makes bread with sprouted Einkorn flour, along with muffins and cookies.  

“Some gluten free items aren’t so good, but these are fabulous,” said Lapp. 

As for produce, the Lapps keep quite a variety on hand. On a recent visit they offered heirloom tomatoes, peaches, cucumbers, carrots, squash, cabbage, peppers, asparagus, onions, broccoli, beets and more. “We source all our ingredients from local farmers—organic, if possible.  

“We grew our own lima beans and heirloom tomatoes this year, but for now I’m keeping my vegetable gardening to a minimum,” explains Lapp. 

As with the Healthy Grocer, customers can also purchase supplements at the store, along with snacks, nut butters, raw honey, cereal and baking ingredients. 

Customer Danielle Durham visited the new store recently. 

 “It’s amazing, with raw milk, fresh produce, good prices and a friendly staff,” said the Newport resident, adding that she will return regularly. 

The Lapps said that they are happy to be in their new environment and actively welcoming customers from miles around as they make their way to the store. And for those who are short on time, staff is available to package items pickup.  

“Just send us an email, or give us a call,” Lapp said. 

Green Ridge Farm Market and Café is located at 3800 Trindle Road in Camp Hill and is open Wednesday through Saturday.  

Stephanie Kalina-Metzger is a freelance writer.