Out in the country, away from the highway, and tucked into the farmland, there stands a beacon of Amish goods, Lancaster County’s much-loved “Roadside Stand.” Annie and Eli Stoltzfus built up quite the business from very humble beginnings. Though many still call it the Roadside Stand, the business today is much more than a simple hutch along the roadway.
What started out as a basic roadside display of Amish-made crafts and produce has grown into a brick-and-mortar store with many different homemade and handmade items, with what some argue is the best soft pretzel in Lancaster County.
But, on a recent visit, I had the opportunity to go behind the scenes with Eli for a look at what is made at his business, and how it all works. First off, I could tell with all the hum of activity (canning produce) that this operation must run on something dependable, though I know that would have to be off-grid (“Amish Electricity.”) Eli explained he’s got a diesel generator that runs 24/7, which provides all the power his entire business needs.
All the refrigerators, freezers, canning equipment, cash registers, etc. run off this one round-the-clock power source. I imagine it is a state-of-the-art diesel engine, with as efficient a tuning as possible, but I still think I’d gag at what Mr. Stoltzfus must pay a year in fuel costs.
One area that he was quite eager to show me was the honey room, a newly expanded part of the business. His son’s honey business is now co-located on the property. I observed the various grades of honey, produced from bees foraging on various types of clover, grasses, and other plants. And I also saw jars of “Royal Jelly.”
I’ve seen a lot of jellies in jars at Amish road-side stands in Lancaster County, but never had I seen “Royal Jelly.” And, what was it doing in the honey area? Well as it turns out Royal Jelly is not a jam you spread on toast, nor a marmalade of fruits or berries. It is a special secretion by honeybees, separate from the regular honey. It is a food produced for the queen of the hive, a truly “royal” food, made specifically for the hive’s most important resident.
This Royal Jelly can be collected and stored much like regular honey. Enthusiasts eat the jelly, in ways that one would typically enjoy honey, but many of these enthusiasts claim wonderful health benefits, calling Royal Jelly the superfood of super foods. While the FDA has warned companies selling the product that there can be no curative claims officially made, you’ll hear glowing testimonials from those that love to eat the special product.
What is clear, this amazing product is naturally antibacterial and antibiotic, is high in beneficial proteins, contains vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin B5, B6, and C, and contains a simple sugar similar to honey.
Want to try Royal Jelly for yourself? Or just want some really good honey? Head to the Roadside Stand and get yourself some. GPS: 2966 Stumptown Road, Ronks PA 17572. Or call for hours: (717) 656-9206.
— Clinton Martin