Fresh Market at Hershey Towne Square highlights downtown Hershey farmers market

Fresh Market at Hershey Towne Square is showcasing its lower-level Farmers Market as a Thursday-through-Saturday destination for local produce, artisan foods and handcrafted goods in downtown Hershey. The market says the vendor mix is designed to support Central Pennsylvania small businesses and give shoppers a one-stop indoor option for local food and gifts.

Why it matters: - The Farmers Market gives downtown Hershey shoppers an indoor place to buy local food, gifts and household goods from Central Pennsylvania vendors. - The market extends Fresh Market at Hershey Towne Square beyond a traditional produce stop and into a broader community marketplace. - The vendor lineup supports local small businesses in a historic building that has served the Hershey community since 1936.

What happened: - Fresh Market at Hershey Towne Square is spotlighting its Farmers Market on the lower level of its 25,000-square-foot building in downtown Hershey, Pennsylvania. - The Farmers Market is open Thursday through Saturday. - The market features local vendors selling certified organic produce, artisan baked goods, handcrafted soaps, specialty foods, fine art and gifts. - Casey Keshner, director of marketing at Hershey Fresh Market, said the Farmers Market is the heart of the operation and a place where shoppers connect with the people who grow food and make the products. - A full vendor list is available at the Farmers Market vendor page.

The details: - Fresh & Local Foods include certified organic vegetables and fruits, farm-raised beef, pork and chicken, award-winning meats and aged cheeses, pure local honey and cold-pressed juices. - Specialty & Artisan Foods include handmade Italian pastries, custom charcuterie boards, gourmet mushrooms, premium olive oils and vinegars, small-batch wines, artisan pickles, specialty hot sauces, old-fashioned candies and brittles, fresh guacamole and salsas. - Handcrafted Goods & Gifts include all-natural dog treats, yarn and maker supplies, and one-of-a-kind gifts from local small businesses. - Wellness & Beauty items include handcrafted soaps, scrubs, bath bombs and shampoo bars made with clean, locally inspired ingredients. - The market says shoppers can also find unique specialty products not sold elsewhere in Central Pennsylvania. - Fresh Market at Hershey Towne Square has more than 40 local vendors across two floors and also offers farm-fresh produce, artisan foods and chef-prepared meals. - The market is at 121 Towne Square Drive, Hershey, PA 17033. - Farmers Market hours are Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - Guests can follow Hershey Fresh Market on social media or visit the market website for updates on vendors, seasonal offerings and events.

Between the lines: - The Farmers Market is being positioned as more than a shopping corridor; the emphasis is on community, local sourcing and face-to-face relationships with makers. - The indoor format and multi-day schedule give Fresh Market a different role than a seasonal open-air market, which may help steady foot traffic year-round. - The historic setting and broad vendor mix suggest Fresh Market is trying to make downtown Hershey a regular destination, not just a convenience stop.

What's next: - Fresh Market says it will continue adding new vendors, seasonal offerings and upcoming events. - Monthly special events remain part of the broader Fresh Market schedule. - Shoppers can expect the Farmers Market to keep evolving as a place for local food, gifts and artisan products.

The bottom line: - Fresh Market at Hershey Towne Square is turning its lower level into a year-round-style community market built around local vendors, specialty food and downtown Hershey traffic.