The 2016 Delaware farmers markets are open for business
The annual seasonal farmers market season is just starting to sprout up, but before grabbing your shopping bag, check out our day-by-day list.
There are new days, new hours, new vendors and even new locations at many of the markets which have become more popular than ever. Last year, markets had record sales of more than $3 million.
“There’s a tremendous amount of interest in local foods and buying direct from farmers,” says Daniel F. Shortridge of the state Department of Agriculture. “People are really intrigued by the option of meeting and talking with the farmer who grew the sweet corn or strawberries that will end up on your table - and they’re guaranteed to be fresh.”
One of the biggest shifts for the 2016 season is that the Historic Lewes Farmers’ Market has changed sites.
For the past 10 years, the market, one of the most popular Saturday shopping destinations for produce in the state, has been held at the Lewes Historical Society in downtown Lewes.
But, this season, it has been moved to a new location, while the complex undergoes a grounds improvement project. It will take at least a year.
The new market site is George H.P. Smith Park, near Beebe Hospital, at Johnson and Dupont avenues in Lewes. The market opened as scheduled on May 14, but, due to heavy rain, it was held temporarily at the Shields School parking lot.
The Lewes market at George H.P. Smith Park has about 35 vendors. It opens on Saturdays - rain or shine - at 8 a.m. and runs through Nov. 19. Check the Historical Lewes Farmers Market Facebook page for updates.
In Dover, Capital Farmers’ Market, formerly known as Loockerman Way, kicks off its weekly Wednesday market on June 15. It’s held from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Loockerman Way Plaza.
According to Shortridge, it is the first market that is a location for the Summer Food Service Program (http://www.doe.k12.de.us/Page/2790), partnering with the Department of Education.
The Georgetown Farmers’ Market at 16 Mile Brewery begins May 25 and runs through Aug. 3. A new vendor this year is Old World Breads, an artisanal bread bakery in Lewes.
Other changes: The Milton Farmers’ Market is now operating solely on the grounds of Dogfish Head Brewery, and new markets this year include one in Centreville; outside Lewes, at Garden Shack Farm; and at Nassau Valley Vineyards, near Lewes.
To find out what’s happening weekly at seasonal farmers’ markets in New Castle County, visit its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/New-Castle-County-Farmers-Market-Program-1428440977407063/
Shortridge says there also are more than 80 farmstands where consumers can also buy a wide variety of local foods. These range from retail stores to small roadside stands with honor boxes, and offer the same fresh produce and other farm products from local family farmers.
Visit de.gov/buylocal for more information.
Here’s a day-by-day look at some seasonal farmers’ markets operating in 2016 in and around the state.
MONDAY
Fenwick Island Farmers’ Market, www.fenwickislandfarmersmarket.com/
WHERE: 1406 Coastal Highway (Bayside at Warren’s Station), Fenwick Island
WHEN: 8 a.m.-noon, June 17-Sept. 2. The market also operates on Fridays.
CONTACT: Albert Hudson at (302) 841-0068 or skhudson51@gmail.com
TUESDAY
Delaware Avenue Farmers’ Market, delawareave.wordpress.com/
WHERE: 1727 Delaware Ave. (corner of Delaware Avenue and Scott Street), Wilmington
WHEN: 4-7:30 p.m., through Oct. 25
CONTACT: James Lee at (302) 562-5132 or lee-advisor@operamail.com
Rehoboth Beach Farmers’ Market, www.rbfarmersmarket.com
WHERE: Grove Park, Rehoboth Avenue (adjacent to Lighthouse Circle), Rehoboth Beach
WHEN: Noon-4 p.m., through Sept. 27; noon-3 p.m., Oct. 4-Oct. 25
CONTACT: Pat Coluzzi at pat@coluzziconsulting.com
WEDNESDAY
Capital City Farmers’ Market
WHERE: 126 Loockerman Way (Loockerman Way Plaza), Dover
WHEN: 11:30 a.m. -3:30 p.m., June 15 through Sept. 14
CONTACT: Tina Bradbury, 302-331-6550 or tina@downtowndoverpartnership.com
Downtown Wilmington Farmers’ Market
WHERE: Rodney Square, 10th and Market streets in downtown Wilmington
WHEN: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., through Oct. 26
CONTACT: Tucker Casey 302-425-0196 or tcasey@downtownvisions.org
Georgetown Farmers’ Market
WHERE: 16 Mile Brewery, 413 South Bedford St., Georgetown,
WHEN: 3-6 p.m., May 25 through Aug. 21
CONTACT: Christel Folke at (302) 259-6443 or c.folke@dtcc.edu
The Farmers’ Market at Sea Colony
WHERE: Marketplace at Sea Colony Shopping Center parking lot, Del. 1, South Bethany Beach
WHEN: 8 a.m.-noon, June 15-Aug. 31
CONTACT: Carrie Bennett at carrie@bennettorchards.com
Garfield Park Farmers Market
WHERE: ,26 Karlyn Drive, New Castle
WHEN: 3-7 p.m. beginning June 29
CONTACT: Michael Begatto at (302) 395-5624 or mbegatto@nccde.org
THURSDAY
Cool Spring Park Farmers’ Market
WHERE: Cool Spring Park, 10th and North Jackson streets, Wilmington
WHEN: 4-8 p.m., June 23-Oct. 6
CONTACT: Michael Begatto at (302) 395-5624 or mbegatto@nccde.org
Garden Shack Farmers’ Market, www.gardenshackfarm.com
WHERE: Garden Shack Farm, 19884 Beaver Dam Road, Lewes
WHEN: 2-6 p.m., through Nov. 17
CONTACT: Laura Kucharik at (302) 249-8830 or laura@gardenshackfarm.com
Planting Hope Campus Market
WHERE: Herman Holloway Sr. Campus, 1901 N. Dupont Highway, New Castle
WHEN: noon-2 p.m., June 16 through Sept. 22
CONTACT: Gail Hermenau at gail.hermenau@state.de.us
Rockwood Park and Museum
WHERE: 4651 Washington Street Extension, Brandywine Hundred
WHEN: 3-7 p.m. through Oct. 27
CONTACT: Visit New Castle County’s website at www.nccde.org/farmersmarkets
Winterthur Museum Farm Stand
WHERE: Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, 5105 Kennett Pike. In front of the Winterthur Museum Store at the Cottage. No ticket is required for the Farm Stand or Gift Shop. Parking is available behind the cottage near the Winterthur Post Office.
WHEN: 1:30-5:30 p.m., July through September
CONTACT: (800) 448-3883 or (302) 888-4600
FRIDAY
Bellefonte Farmers’ Market (Facebook page)
WHERE: 500 Duncan Road (Bellevue Community Center), Wilmington,
WHEN: 4:30-7:30 p.m., June 3-Sept. 9
CONTACT: Jess Graham at (304) 962-2435 or jessicagraham@gmail.com; bellevuecc.org
Carousel Park Farmers’ Market
WHERE: Carousel Park Equestrian Center, 3700 Limestone Road, Pike Creek
WHEN: 2-7 p.m., through Oct. 28
CONTACT: Michael Begatto at (302) 395-5624 or mbegatto@nccde.org
Fenwick Island Farmers’ Market, www.fenwickislandfarmersmarket.com/
WHERE: 1406 Coastal Highway (Bayside at Warren’s Station), Fenwick Island
WHEN: 8 a.m.-noon, June 17 through Sept. 2. The market also operates on Mondays.
CONTACT: Albert Hudson at (302) 841-0068 or skhudson51@gmail.com
Fresh Friday Farmers’ Market
WHERE: Nemours Plaza, 10th and Tatnall streets, Wilmington
WHEN: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., through Oct. 28
CONTACT: Tucker Casey at (302) 425-0196 or tcasey@downtownvisions.org
Glasgow Park Farmers’ Market
WHERE: Glasgow Park, 2275 Pulaski Highway (near intersection of U.S. 40 and Del. 896), Glasgow
WHEN: 3-7 p.m., through Oct. 28
CONTACT: Michael Begatto at (302) 395-5624 or mbegatto@nccde.org
Kennett Square (Pa.) Farmers’ Market
WHERE: 101 E. State St., downtown Kennett Square, Pa.
WHEN: 2-6 p.m., through November
CONTACT: Visit historickennettsquare.com
Milton Farmers’ Market, www.miltondefarmersmarket.org/
WHERE: Dogfish Head Brewery, 6 Village Center Blvd., Milton
WHEN: 3-6 p.m., through Oct. 7
CONTACT: Karen Stoedter at (410) 916-8784 or kstoedter@comcast.net
Southbridge Youth Garden Farm Stand and Pop-up Market
WHERE: Neighborhood House Inc., 1218 B St., Wilmington
WHEN: 3-7 p.m., last Friday of the month only (June 24, July 29, Aug. 26, Sept. 30 and Oct. 28)
CONTACT: Randi Novakoff, rnovakoff@wilmapco.org or (302) 737-6205 ext. 111
SATURDAY
Centreville Farmers’ Market
WHERE: 52 Twaddell Mill Road, Centreville
WHEN: 8:30-11:30 a.m., first and third Saturdays of the month (closed second and fourth Saturdays), June 18-Oct. 15
CONTACT: Connor Callahan at (302) 367-9404 or connor19802@icloud.com
Historic Lewes Farmers’ Market, www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org/
NOTE: New location this year
WHERE: George H. P. Smith Park, Johnson and Dupont avenues, Lewes
WHEN: 8 a.m.-noon, through Sept. 24. 9 a.m.-noon, Oct. 1-Nov. 19
CONTACT: Call (302) 644-1436 or e-mail historiclewesfarmersmarket@comcast.net
New Garden Growers’ Market, www.newgardengrowers.com/
WHERE: 8943 Newport Gap Pike (Rt. 41) in Avondale, Pennsylvania, in front of the New Garden Township Maintenance Garage
WHEN: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., through Nov. 19
CONTACT: info@newgardengrowers.com
Riverwalk Farmers’ Market Downtown Milford, www.downtownmilford.org
WHERE: South Walnut Street at Riverwalk Park, Milford
WHEN: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., through Oct. 1
CONTACT: Melissa Pingue at (302) 222-2160, farmersmarket@downtownmilford.org or washergirl@comcast.net
West Chester (Pa.) Growers Market, www.westchestergrowersmarket.com/
WHERE: The corner of North Church and West Chestnut streets in downtown West Chester, Pa.
WHEN: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., through December
SUNDAY
Bethany Beach Farmers’ Market, www.bethanybeachfarmersmarket.com/
WHERE: Garfield Parkway and Pennsylvania Avenue, (PNC Bank parking lot), Bethany Beach
WHEN: 8 a.m.-noon, June 12-Sept. 4
CONTACT: Doug Mowrey at (301) 717-0492 or dougmowrey@gmail.com
Nassau Valley Vineyards Farmers’ Market
WHERE: Nassau Valley Vineyards & Winery, 32165 Winery Way, Lewes
WHEN: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., May 29-Sept. 4
CONTACT: Pat Coluzzi at (302) 249-7878 or pat@coluzziconsulting.com
Co-op Farmers’ Market
WHERE: In front of Newark Natural Foods in the Newark Shopping Center, 230 E. Main St., Newark.
WHEN: 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., through Nov. 20
CONTACT: Call (302) 368-5894 or marketmaster@newarknaturalfoods.com
EDITOR'S NOTE: Some changes have been made since this list was first published.
Contact Patricia Talorico at (302) 324-2861 orptalorico@delawareonline.com. and follow her on Twitter@pattytalorico .