What to Eat at the Pennsylvania Farm Show

The city of Harrisburg is located on the ancestral homelands of the Susquehannock people.

large crowd of people walking and standing in line near long food stand with pictures of various food items over head

One of the highlights of the annual Pennsylvania Farm Show is the food. PA’s food producers come together to showcase their products in unique and delicious ways, and we continue to eat our way through the Farm Show every year.

Here’s a look at the foods we’ve tried over the years, and what else is available from each stand.

PA Dairymen’s Association

takeout boat with four cubes of fried mozzarella from the PA Farm Show

Mozzarella Cubes – *Favorite*
If you like mozzarella sticks, you’ll love the PA Dairymen’s mozzarella cubes. They are extra cheesy with a light batter. These are one of our favorite items, and we have to get them every year.

Grilled Cheese
The grilled cheese doesn’t rise to the level of the mozzarella cubes in our book. It’s not that it’s bad, but it’s a standard grilled cheese without anything to set it apart from any other.

a man wearing a green-gray hoodie with a matching hat bearing the words "PA Preferred" taking a selfie holding a half-chocolate, half-vanilla milkshake.

Milkshakes – *Favorite*
Milkshakes are one of the most popular items at the Farm Show every year. They are delicious – I love the half-chocolate, half-vanilla – but I can understand those who are disappointed after waiting in a long line. They are soft-serve milkshakes that are honestly overpriced for the size, but it just doesn’t feel like the Farm Show if I don’t have one.

Other items available: Soft-Serve Ice Cream, Sundaes, Milk

PA Livestock Association

hoagie roll topped with sliced beef from the PA Farm Show

Pit Beef Sandwich

This is a very good sandwich. Hess’ BBQ (Lancaster) does a lot of the meats for the Livestock Association stand, and the beef sandwich has a smokey flavor to it. I enjoy mine with the original sweet barbecue sauce.

hot dog bun topped with ground goat meat in sloppy Joe sauce from the PA Farm Show

Goat Sloppy Joe
In the grand scheme of things, this isn’t that much different than a regular sloppy Joe, but it does highlight the alternative meats that are available in PA. If you like sloppy Joes, you’ll like this sandwich. Our only complaint is that the roll is too big for the amount of meat.

small cup filled with stew from the PA Farm Show

Lamb Stew *Favorite*
Like the goat sloppy Joe, the lamb stew highlights a different kind of meat that’s less common on Pennsylvania tables. But the stew is excellent. The lamb meat is tender and flavorful, and the soup is hearty with a thick gravy-like broth loaded with vegetables. It’s a great dish to help warm up on a cold January day.

Hot Dog
Our two-year-old had a hot dog when we visited in 2026, and he loved it. It’s Lukas-approved for any picky eaters in your party.

Other Items Available: Italian Pork Loin Sandwich, Pork BBQ Sandwich, Pork Sausage Sandwich, Boneless Texas Rib Sandwich, Cheesesteak, Double-Smoked Ham Sandwich, Pork BBQ

PA Vegetable Growers

takeout boat filled with fried vegetables next to a cup of ranch dressing for dipping.

Batter-Dipped Vegetables – *Favorite*
We get the batter-dipped vegetables every year to share. The breading is thick around the zucchini coins, onion rings, and broccoli and cauliflower florets. They are all delicious, especially when dipped in ranch dressing.

Corn Dog

Even though Jakob, our eight-year-old, doesn’t like hot dogs, he loves corn dogs. And he loved the corn dog from the PA Vegetable Growers stand. It was decently sized – perfect for him – and had plenty of batter.

Other Items Available: Chicken Corn Soup, Vegetable Soup, Broccoli Cheese Soup, Strawberry Surprise, Blooming Onion, Pumpkin or Blueberry Funnel Cake, Corn Nuggets, Fried Pickles, Veggie Burger, Berry-Battered Oreos, Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

PA Cooperative Potato Growers

close-up photo of an order of fries from the PA Farm Show

French Fries
You can’t go wrong with Farm Show French fries. They are fresh-cut on-site and fried to perfection. Spritz them with a little vinegar, dip them in ketchup, or add some salt and pepper (or do all three) for a perfect side.

two orders of pierogies in takeout boats - one topped with onions, one not - from the PA Farm Show

Pierogies – *Favorite*
The pierogies are another winner from the PA Potato Growers. They come in orders of four ($5 per order) and the pierogies are stuffed with potato and smothered in onions and butter. This is a can’t-miss.

baked potato with a white plastic fork sticking in the middle

Baked Potato
A baked potato is as simple as it comes, but somehow the Farm Show version is just a little bit better than what we make at home. Enjoy it loaded or just add butter.

Baked Sweet Potato

If I had to choose, I’d pick the sweet potato over the regular baked potato. It’s naturally more flavorful, but it’s even better when topped with butter and brown sugar.

Other Items Available: Potato Cakes, Potato Donuts

Mushroom Farmers of Pennsylvania

Items Available: Stuffed Baby Bella Mushrooms, Blended Mushroom Steakhouse Burger, RoRo’s Mushroom Salad, Original Breaded Mushrooms with Hot Honey Drizzle, Mushroom and Brie Bisque, Ready Shrooms, Mushroom Breakfast Burrito

State Horticultural Association

close-up photo of two apple cider donuts topped with cinnamon and sugar from the PA Farm Show

Cider Donuts
Apple cider donuts are one of my favorites. They are light and airy, and the cider donuts at the Farm Show are loaded with cinnamon sugar. It’s a great treat.

Other Items Available: Apples, Caramel Apples, Cider, Apple Butter, Apple Dumplings, Dried Apples, Apple Sauce Pouches, Apple Snitz, Apple Cotton Candy

Pennsylvania FFA Foundation

Items Available: PA Preferred Pizza

PenAg Industries Association

Items Available: Chicken Breast Sandwich, Chicken Tenders, Hot Dogs, Dressed Hot Dogs, Hardboiled Eggs, Turkey Chili, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Pulled Pork Nachos, Breakfast Sandwich, Chicken Parmesan Sandwich, Chicken Corn Chowder, Trout Chowder, Tilapia Sandwich, Trout Sandwich

C&J Catering

Items Available: Turkey Legs, Mac and Cheese, Brussels Sprouts, Cheeseburgers, Corn Dogs, Pretzel Bites

What are your favorite food items at the Farm Show? What should we try next? Let us know in the comments below or by emailing padiscoveries@gmail.com.

When You Go

Each association has their own stand and their own line. This allows each stand to turn out their items more quickly.
The busiest time is the lunch rush at 12 noon and the early afternoon followed by dinnertime. If you want to avoid the lines, plan to eat earlier or later: 10-11 a.m. for lunch or 7 p.m. or later for dinner.
The main food court is the GIANT Exhibition Hall, and it features all of the stands listed. A smaller food court is located in the Main Hall and features a smaller selection.
There are other food items available for purchase at the Farm Show, including 717 Tacos inside the New Holland Arena, The Orginal Strudel Factory in the Main Hall, and more.