'Tis the season: Delmarva's guide to farmers markets

Despite a few drops of rain and gusty winds, nearly a hundred people gathered at Dogfish Head Brewery Friday, April 22 for Milton's first farmers market of the season.

Jess Molnar, 22, had to hold on to one of the legs of her canopy tent to keep it from blowing away.

"So what happens if it really gets bad?" she asked, with a smile.

Molnar, a senior at Salisbury University, was at the market representing Bay Water Greens, a farm based in Salisbury that specializes in hydroponic lettuces.

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and helped several customers waiting in line.

"Yes sir, we have a controlled environment that eliminates the use of pesticides and herbicides," she said to one customer.

"I have romaine and spring mix," she said to another.

On Delmarva, it’s not hard to meet the man or woman who grows your food, especially if you visit one of the many farmers markets that pop up from April through the end of harvest each year.

According to the Department of Agriculture, farming in the state of Delaware alone is an $8 billion a year industry, one of the state’s major sources of income.

Most of the produce offered at fresh markets in the region include watermelons, cantaloupes, sweet corn, cabbage, green beans, potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, pumpkins, peaches, apples, and strawberries. But that's only a small list of what shoppers can find.

Be sure to look for other fruits and vegetables, farm-made baked goods, jams and jellies, honey, pet treats, organic soaps, pottery and more.

Delaware

Milton Farmers Market

When: Fridays, 3-6 p.m.

Where: Dogfish Head Brewery, 6 Village Center Boulevard, Milton

What: The event is now held at Dogfish Head Brewery. Local produce + local beer = bonus.

Call: 410-916-8784

Visit: miltondefarmersmarket.org

Riverwalk Farmers Market

When: Saturdays, 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. (May 7 through October 1)

Where: South Walnut Street at Riverwalk Park, Milford

What: In 2015, the downtown Milford market was named one of American Farmland Trust's Top 50 Farmers Markets in the country.

Call: 302-222-2160

Visit: downtownmilford.org

Georgetown Farmers Market

When: Wednesdays, 3-6 p.m.

Where: 16 Mile Brewery, 413 South Bedford Street, Georgetown

What: The market opens in late May and is hosted on the grounds of 16 Mile Brewery — another great eat local, drink local spot.

Call: 302-856-1544

Visit: facebook.com/georgetownchamberfarmersmarket

Historic Lewes Farmers Market

When: Saturdays, 8 a.m. until noon (May 14 through November 19)

Where: George H.P. Smith Park, Johnson and Dupont Avenues, Lewes.

What: What was started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, has expanded to one of the largest markets in the state, featuring nearly 40 vendors and workshops led by local chefs, farmers and gardeners.

Call: 302-644-1436

Visit: historiclewesfarmersmarket.org

Nassau Valley Vineyards Farmers Market

When: Sundays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (May 29 through September 4)

Where: 32165 Winery Way, Lewes

What: Nearly twenty local vendors featured, as well as ready made food and wine tastings. Take a tour of the winery after you finish shopping.

Call: 302-249-7878

Visit: nassauvalley.com

Garden Shack Farmers Market

When: Thursdays, 2-6 p.m.

Where: Garden Shack Farm, 19884 Beaver Dam Road, Lewes

What: New this season, Garden Shack Farm has added a farmers' market to its existing farm offerings of flowers, plants, and eggs.

Call: 302-249-8830

Visit: gardenshackfarm.com

Rehoboth Beach Farmers Market

When: Tuesdays, noon-4 p.m. (May 3 to October 25)

Where: Grove Park, Rehoboth Beach, DE

What: The market features homemade pasta, fresh seafood, fruits, vegetables, artisan breads, homemade sauces, as well as live entertainment and cooking demonstrations.

Visit: rbfarmersmarket.com

Bethany Beach Farmers Market

When: Sundays, 8 a.m. to noon

Where: Garfield and Pennsylvania Avenue, Bethany Beach

What: The Bethany Beach Farmers Market is a producers only farmers’ market, meaning only items produced on Delmarva are offered.

Call: 301-717-0492

The Farmers Market at Sea Colony

When: Wednesdays 8 a.m. until noon (June 15 through August 31)

Where: Marketplace at Sea Colony Shopping Center, Rt. 1 South, Bethany Beach

What: Vendors include Chapel's Country Creamery, Fresh Harvest Hydroponics, Magee Farms, Old World Breads, Herbs & Spice n' Everything Nice and Touch of Italy.

Visit: seacolonyfarmersmarket.com

Fenwick Island Farmers Market

When: Mondays and Fridays, 8 a.m. until noon (June 9 through September 7)

Where: Route 1 and Essex Street, Fenwick Island

What: Located next to PNC Bank, fifteen vendors offer fresh favorites like peaches, melons, flowers, sweet corn, and tomatoes, in addition to locally produced honey, eggs, cheeses, baked goods and flowers.

Call: 302-436-5589

Visit: fenwickislandfarmersmarket.com

Maryland

Ocean City Farmers Market

When: Saturdays and Sundays, 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. (May through mid-October); Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. (July through Labor Day)

Where: 142nd Street in the Phillips Restaurant parking lot

What: Offering certified organic and conventionally grown produce, as well as Great Shoals Winery and an abundance of fresh fruits, baked goods and seafood.

Call: 410-726-5259

West Ocean City Farmers Market

When: Thursdays 3-6 p.m. (Memorial Day through Labor Day)

Where: 12741 Ocean Gateway, Ocean City

What: One of Delmarva's newest markets, the West OC Farmers' Market is located in the parking lot between Mione's and the old Superfresh store at Tanger Outlets. Venders include Bennett Orchards, Berlin Organics, Chesapeake Organic Farm and more.

Call: 410-430-1518

Visit: facebook.com/WestOceanCityFarmersMarket

Ocean Pines Farmers Market

When: Saturdays, 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. (begins May 7)

Where: White Horse Park, North Ocean Pines

What: Small local farms and orchards will offer fresh produce, wine and gourmet foods. Enjoy lunch in the Market Picnic Grove, where you’ll find oversized picnic tables tucked under the park’s large shade trees.

Visit: oceanpines.org

Berlin Farmers Market

When: Fridays, 10 a.m until 3 p.m. (April through December); Wednesdays, 3-6 p.m. (June through August)

Where: behind the Berlin Fire Company, off Main Street and Harrison Avenue

What: Located in America's "Coolest Small Town" 2014, the Berlin market offers fresh produce, seafood, meats, herbs, fresh farm eggs, homemade goods and flowers.

Call: 410-726-7674

Visit: berlinmd.gov/farmers-market

Snow Hill Farmers Market

When: Thursdays, noon until 5 p.m. (May 5 until end of September)

Where: 210 W. Green Street, Snow Hill

What: Vendors offer fresh fruits, vegetables, homemade and handmade goods. Stock up on produce for the week or find a gift for a friend.

Call: 410-632-2080

Shore Fresh Growers (Salisbury and Princess Anne)

When: Thursdays, 3-6 p.m.; Saturdays, 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Where: Manokin Park, Princess Anne; Riverwalk Rt 13 & Market St, Salisbury

What: Shore Fresh Growers operates two markets on Delmarva, where fresh fruits, vegetables, artisans breads, homemade jams and jellies, farm fresh eggs, bedding plants and handcrafted natural soaps are offered.

Call: 410-651-0619

Visit: facebook.com/ShoreFresh/timeline

Camden Avenue Farmers Market

When: Tuesdays, 2:30-6 p.m.

Where: 1401 Camden Avenue, Salisbury

What: Expect local produce, pasture raised eggs and meats, wild caught and sustainably harvested seafood, milk and yogurt, local honey, cakes, pies, fresh fruits and more.

Visit: camdenavefarmersmarket.com

Cambridge Main Street Farmers Market

When: Thursdays, 3-6 p.m.

Where: Long Wharf Park (at the end of historic High Street), Cambridge

What: One of the only markets on Delmarva that can boast waterfront views. Expect to see vendors like Beasley Farms, Catnap Gardens, Dorchester Crab Company, Scrolling Memories, and SB Bison Farms.

Visit: cambridgemainstreet.com/farmers-market

Virginia

Chincoteague Island Farmers Market

When: Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (April 9 through October 15) and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (May 25 through September 7)

Where: 6309 Church Street, Chincoteague

What: Expect to find Chincoteague oysters, baked goods, jams and jellies, fresh produce, plants, seafood and live entertainment at this island market.

Visit: www.chincoteagueculturalalliance.org

The Onancock Market

When: Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon (May 7 through May 21) 8 a.m. to noon (May 28 through September 3) 9 a.m. to noon (September 10 through October 29)

Where: The corner of Market Street and Ames Street, Onancock

What: This vendor-produced market features fresh produce, local honey, seafood, baked goods, handmade pasta, farm fresh eggs, pasture raised meats, arts and crafts and live entertainment.

Visit: http://onancockmarket.com/

Cape Charles Farmers Market

When: Tuesdays, 4-7 p.m. (May 3 through October 25)

Where: Cape Charles Museum and Welcome Center, 814 Randolph Avenue, Cape Charles

What: This brand new market offers locally produced lavender products, fresh produce, baked goods, coffee, teas, sandwiches, pasture raised meats, artisinal sauerkrauts, plants and flowers.

Visit: http://capecharlesfarmersmarket.weebly.com/

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