Bringing the Farm to Cumberland Street: Inside Lebanon’s Newest Amish Market
Esh’s Lebanon Valley Market, 742 Cumberland Street, Lebanon, PA 17042
Lebanon County has long been a quiet powerhouse of Pennsylvania Dutch agriculture, overshadowed only slightly by its famous neighbor, Lancaster. But for those living right in the city of Lebanon, getting authentic, farm-direct Amish provisions usually required a weekend drive out into the countryside. That has officially changed with the grand opening of Esh’s Lebanon Valley Market on historic Cumberland Street.
Taking over a beautifully restored brick storefront in the heart of downtown, the market is bringing the analog, slow-food craftsmanship of the local Amish community directly to city residents and visitors alike.
The Backstory: From Myerstown to Main Street
The Esh family has been farming the fertile soil of nearby Myerstown for four generations. For decades, Samuel and Annie Esh operated primarily as wholesale producers, selling their raw-milk dairy, cured meats, and bulk produce to larger distributors. However, as their eight children grew older and took on more responsibilities, the family realized they needed a new outlet that would allow them to sell directly to their neighbors.
The push to open a physical storefront came from their eldest son, John. He noticed that downtown Lebanon was experiencing a quiet revitalization, yet lacked a dedicated spot for genuine, locally sourced groceries. John partnered with a local “English” (non-Amish) building owner to navigate the city zoning and point-of-sale systems, while the Esh family transformed the interior with handcrafted wooden shelving and massive deli cases.
Today, the market operates as a true family cooperative. A horse-drawn buggy might not be parked out front on Cumberland Street, but a dedicated refrigerated truck makes the short trip from the Myerstown farm every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, ensuring the shelves are perpetually stocked with fresh, off-the-grid goods.
Market Favorites: What to Buy
Esh’s Lebanon Valley Market doesn’t bother with mass-produced pantry staples. Everything here is rooted in deep Pennsylvania Dutch tradition, highlighting preservation, curing, and scratch baking. Here are the items already flying off the shelves:
- Traditional Sweet Lebanon Bologna: You can’t open a deli in Lebanon without this iconic meat. The Esh family makes theirs using an old-world, 100% beef recipe, cold-smoking it over damp hickory wood for days. It has a distinctive dark color, a smoky tang, and a rich sweetness that pairs perfectly with sharp cheese.
- Pickled Red Beet Eggs: A vibrant, magenta-colored staple of Amish tables. Hard-boiled eggs are submerged in a sweet and sour brine made from fresh farm beets, vinegar, and sugar until they absorb the brilliant color and tangy flavor.
- Hand-Churned Golden Butter: Made strictly from the milk of their pasture-raised Jerseys, this butter is churned until it reaches an incredibly high butterfat content. It is lightly salted and so rich it practically tastes like cheese.
- Oatmeal Whoopie Pies: A rustic twist on the classic chocolate version. Annie Esh bakes impossibly soft, spiced oatmeal cookies and sandwiches them around a massive layer of traditional, fluffy marshmallow buttercream.
- Dried Apple Snitz: A true heritage product. These locally grown apples are peeled, thickly sliced, and slowly dried. They are perfect for snacking or for taking home to make traditional Schnitz un Knepp (apples and dumplings).
Whether you are a Lebanon local looking to upgrade your weekly grocery run or a traveler wanting to taste the genuine flavors of the Pennsylvania Dutch country, Esh’s Lebanon Valley Market is a masterclass in agricultural heritage.
