You don’t have to be a gourmet chef to appreciate the unmatched brilliance of freshly harvested food. In fact, no culinary training is required to enjoy the simple pleasure of biting into a sun-ripened strawberry right off its stem or letting the juice of a backyard tomato run down your chin.
When you choose locally grown food, you transform from a passive consumer into an active part of the agricultural process. Instead of eating fruit that has traveled cross-country, your crisp Pink Lady apple’s longest journey is the short stretch from the orchard on the hill behind the farm stand directly to your mouth.
While Ohio’s Amish Country is famous for its hearty, all-you-can-eat dining style, you don’t have to overstuff yourself to enjoy the local bounty. Simply pack a crate, bring a cooler, and prepare to fill your home pantry. By choosing these local growers, you aren’t just treating your taste buds—you are actively sustaining small family farms.
Meats & Treats: Winesburg and Walnut Creek
Fresh Cuts and Multi-Generational Pride at Winesburg Meats
Operating under the proud motto, “We make the meats!”, Winesburg Meats is widely considered one of Holmes County’s finest hidden gems. Family-owned and operated since 1959, this specialized shop features an impressive inventory of over 100 distinct items crafted from premium ingredients. Whether you are looking for smoked specialties, seasonal favorites, or savory cuts for a backyard gathering, their massive selection will likely require you to bring a backup cooler.
- Location: 2182 US Route 62, Dundee (Just south of Winesburg)
- Time Allotment: 30 minutes
Savoring Local Tradition at Troyer’s Trail Bologna
If you want to experience a true, century-old culinary tradition, make your way to the tiny village of Trail. Here, the Troyer family has been producing their legendary, all-beef wood-smoked bologna since 1912. Stepping into their historic general store feels like a literal step back in time. For the most authentic local experience, pull up a seat at the vintage luncheon counter for a classic Trail and Swiss sandwich, or sit down for a fresh burger before stocking up on ring bologna to take home.
- Location: 6552 State Route 515, Dundee (In the village of Trail)
- Time Allotment: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Harvest Bounty at Hillcrest Orchard
Discover the beautiful agricultural legacy of a fourth-generation family orchard. Hillcrest Orchard spans 75 scenic acres overflowing with peach, plum, and apple trees. Visitors can shop the farm’s seasonal fruit directly in their retail store, alongside regional produce, southern citrus, candied nuts, local honey, and rich apple butter. It serves as an essential autumn pilgrimage spot for crisp pumpkins, fall decor, and sweet apple cider slushies.
- Location: 2474 Township Road 444, Sugarcreek (East side of Walnut Creek)
- Time Allotment: 30 minutes to 1 hour
📌 Road Trip Trivia
Did you know that the average grocery store item travels roughly 1,500 miles before it ever reaches a consumer’s plate? That is equivalent to the entire driving distance between the rolling hills of Ohio Amish Country and the desert landscapes of Santa Fe, New Mexico!
Fruit, Veg, and Scratch Baking: Berlin and Millersburg
The All-In-One Bounty of Troyer’s Country Market
For an exceptional mix of premium bulk goods and farm-fresh produce, clear some space in your vehicle for Troyer’s Country Market. Located just a mile east of Berlin, this market brings the absolute best of local agricultural traditions under a single roof. Visitors can browse a vibrant selection of cheeses, meats, and seasonal produce sourced straight from area farmers. Don’t leave without browsing their shelves of Amish Wedding foods—a line of jarred preserves and pickled items that rank among the tastiest snacks you will ever experience.
- Location: 5201 County Road 77, Millersburg (1 mile east of Berlin)
- Time Allotment: 30 minutes to 1 hour
More than a Bakery: Hershberger’s Farm and Bakery
While the irresistible scent of a full-scale, scratch-bakery greets you the moment you arrive, Hershberger’s also offers an incredible array of healthy, home-grown farm selections. The market stalls feature fresh produce harvested throughout the local Ohio growing season. If you are visiting during the autumn months, you can hop aboard a horse-drawn wagon ride directly to the patch to pick your own pumpkin. With an on-site farm animal petting area, fresh kettle corn, and an expansive gift shop, it is a premier one-stop country destination.
- Location: 5452 State Route 557, Millersburg (Just north of Charm)
- Time Allotment: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Hospitality and Heritage at the Ashery Country Store
If your shopping list includes curated regional cheeses, custom-blended spices, bulk baking goods, and unique snacks, take a scenic countryside drive up to the Ashery Country Store. The store proudly showcases fresh, seasonal produce grown by local Amish farmers right in the heart of Holmes County. Come for the signature hospitality that the region is famous for, and take home a few delicious treats to share with your friends and family.
- Location: 8922 State Route 241, Fredericksburg (Less than 3 miles north of Mt. Hope)
- Time Allotment: 30 minutes to 1 hour
