The 2025 Adams County Farmers Market has wrapped up its most successful year ever, with record-breaking sales, growing community programs, and new vendors adding to the market’s mix of local flavor.
“This year was a big success in a lot of different ways,” said Market Director Reza Djalal. “Combined vendor sales exceeded three quarters of a million dollars for the first time in our organization’s history. That’s all vendors together — it’s a really exciting milestone.”
The market, which operates Saturdays from spring through fall at the Gettysburg Rec Park, averaged about 43 vendors each week, with roughly 70 rotating through the season. “Some vendors come every week and others every other week,” Djalal explained. “But each Saturday we had a full market — it’s been amazing to see how much it’s grown.”
This year’s market also saw the expansion of food access programs for low-income residents. “We administered about $128,000 in food program benefits this year,” said Djalal. “That’s an increase of about $30,000 over 2024, and it’s money that helps families and seniors put healthy local food on their tables.”
Djalal said the funds come through three main programs: SNAP, the Farmers Market Nutrition Program for low-income seniors and WIC recipients, and the market’s own Healthy Options Program, which provides local produce vouchers. “We double every dollar from those programs,” Djalal said. “If someone spends $20 in SNAP benefits, we give them $20 more. It makes a huge difference.”
Djalal credited much of that growth to the addition of Food Programs Coordinator Josieann Campos, who joined the market staff in May. “Josie’s role is really key,” he said. “She develops, administers, and promotes these programs. There’s a lot of need out there, and she’s helping us meet it.”
Campos, a recent Gettysburg College graduate, came to Adams County from New York City and decided to make Gettysburg her home. “She fell in love with small-town life,” Djalal said. “When the position opened, it was a perfect fit.”
New Vendors and Familiar Faces
The 2025 season welcomed several new vendors alongside longtime favorites such as Charming Meadow Mushrooms and Deer Run Farm. “We had some really cool new additions this year,” Djalal said. “Grace’s Family Farm joined us with really high-quality products — meats like rabbit, goat, chicken, and turkey, and even hard cheeses like cheddar made from their own herd of cows. It was our first time having a vendor with hard cheese.”
Another newcomer, Low Carb Avenue, arrived late in the season but plans to return next year. “They specialize in keto-friendly, gluten-free, and low-carb breads,” said Djalal. “They’re great for people with diabetes or anyone who wants to reduce sugar — it’s a really niche market, and they do it so well.”
Local baker Megan Doolittle also joined with her business, Hearth and Barrel, offering what Djalal described as “borderline gourmet” baked goods. “Her products were just exceptional,” he said. “She left midseason to train under a Michelin-star chef in France, but we hope she’ll still be part of the market when she returns.”
Events That Draw Crowds
Among the market’s most popular events this year were Kids Day, the Fairy Festival, and the Trick-or-Treat Trail. “Kids Day was our biggest and best-attended day,” Djalal said. “It’s always the first Saturday in August, and we hold it in partnership with Healthy Adams County. There are games, prizes, and fun ways for kids to try new fruits and vegetables. It’s a beautiful, community-focused day.”
The market’s annual Fairy Festival, a Renaissance-style celebration with crafts, costumes, and “magic-themed” vendors, also drew large crowds despite some bad weather. “It’s always one of our most unique and creative events,” Djalal said.
The season will wrap up with a Holiday Pop-Up Market on December 6, held in conjunction with the Gettysburg Christmas Festival. “It’s a little shorter than our regular market, from 10 to 2, but it’s packed with holiday gifts, crafts, jewelry, and baked goods,” said Djalal. “We’re expecting a full marketplace.”
Looking Ahead to 2026
Next year, Djalal hopes to expand both the market’s vendor lineup and its programming. “We have an A-team of vendors right now, but I want an A-plus-plus team,” he said. “Every year we add great new vendors, and I want to keep that momentum going.”
He also plans to increase the number of themed and educational market days. “Our event days are always the most well-attended,” he said. “They boost vendor sales and bring in new customers. In 2026, we’ll have even more of them.”
The 2026 season will coincide with major community celebrations. “The U.S. Semiquincentennial — America’s 250th — falls on a Saturday, and the Rec Park will be one of the focal points,” said Djalal. “We want to make the farmers market part of that celebration, like a pregame event leading up to the big festivities.”
As the market heads into its eighth year, Djalal reflected on the growing importance of food access. “Every year we see an increase in food program redemptions,” he said. “That’s good because more people are using them and finding the market valuable — but it’s also a reminder that hunger isn’t going away. We’re proud to be part of the solution, but there’s still a lot of work to do.”
