Hidden gems at Delaware beaches farmers markets

Farmers markets, where local growers sell their produce directly to consumers, can look alike at first blush. There are typically tables with fruits and vegetables staffed by the farmers themselves.

But look a little closer and each one has something that makes it different. We talked to beaches-area farmers markets to find out what makes them special.

First, though, it should be said that these are not the farmers markets New Castle County residents may be more familiar with. Though they, too, sell fresh produce, farmers markets in Newark, Middletown and New Castle have a permanent building and a bewildering array of shops.

They often seem more like a bazaar than a traditional farmers market.

Here’s a look at a handful of beaches farmers markets, in no particular order:

Riverwalk Farmers Market, Milford 

The selling point for this farmers market is its location. It’s held in downtown Milford’s Riverwalk Park, along the Mispillion River and under a stand of oak trees. There are about two dozen vendors, each with tents and tables.

This farmers market, held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, is organized by the local business association, Downtown Milford Incorporated. In keeping with Milford’s artistic focus, the market sells arts and crafts as well as food. One stand sells hair bows and garlic — up to 15 varieties of it.

Among the staple vendors is Gravelly Run Farm, where Scott Miller and family sell typical produce alongside more unusual varieties. These include ground cherries, which look like small cherry tomatoes and taste both tart and sweet.

He also sells lemon cucumber, a round, yellow cucumber that, yes, resembles a lemon.

More: http://downtownmilford.org/events/farmers-market/

Nassau Valley Vineyards Farmers Market, Lewes

This farmers market, held from noon to 3 p.m. Sundays, is a bit different from others partly because it is hosted by a private entity, Nassau Valley Vineyards.

As such, they sell wine and sangria on site, and offer tours of the winery.

There is produce and prepared food like other markets, but also a wider selection of local art and pottery, plus fresh bread and cheese. There’s also live music.

More: https://www.facebook.com/nassauvalleysummerfarmersmarket/

Historic Lewes Farmers Market, Lewes 

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market is distinguished by its commitment to the farmers market ethos of producer-only food, board member Sharon Dardine said.

“If you don’t grow it or raise it, it doesn’t come to the market,” she said of produce (an exception is made for a few prepared foods).

Some other farmers markets allow resellers to offer foods that are not locally made.

The Lewes market, held Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon at George H.P. Smith Park, also holds demonstrations by chefs and farmers. 

Customers who pay with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, also known as food stamps, get double the amount of tokens as a donation by the market. So, if someone swipes their card for 20 tokens, they will receive 40 instead.

The market also gives out scholarships to farmers to attend conferences to learn more about sustainable agriculture.

“We have a pretty strict mission and try to do everything we can to fulfill that mission,” Dardine said.

The farmers market is held at the Richard A. Shields Elementary School parking lot in case of rain, either on Saturday or just before it, in order to avoid damaging the park’s grass.

More: www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org.

Rehoboth Beach Farmers Market, Rehoboth Beach 

Located in a park with shade trees, this market provides tents for vendors, which few others do.

Held Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Grove Park, this market also hosts live music each week.

The market  includes a diverse selection of prepared food, including pizza (made on site with a pizza oven) and Mexican street corn (made with a corn roaster). There are also salads, crab rolls, lobster rolls and burgers.

The produce sold there is locally grown, as well, and a librarian reads to children at 1 p.m. Also, one of the vendors sells a basket of different kinds of fruits and vegetables for $20.

More: www.rbfarmersmarket.com.

Bethany Beach Farmers Market, Bethany Beach 

This farmers market is held Sundays from 8 a.m. to noon in the parking lot of a PNC Bank in downtown Bethany Beach.

All of the produce sold at this market comes from the Delmarva Peninsula, board member Henry Bennett said, and is sold by producers who grow it on land they own or rent.

Bennett is himself a peach grower, and over an entire season, 18 varieties of the fuzzy fruit are available.

He said visitors enjoy talking with, say, an egg vendor about a recipe or an organic vendor about sustainable farming.

“They learn about their food,” he said. “It’s an educational experience.”

More: www.bethanybeachfarmersmarket.com

Farmers market schedule in Delaware 

TUESDAY

Rehoboth Beach Farmers Market, Grove Park, Rehoboth Avenue (adjacent to Lighthouse Circle), Rehoboth Beach. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., through May, September and through Oct. 31; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., June, July and August. Info: Pat Coluzzi at 302-249-7878 or pat@rbfarmersmarket.com.

WEDNESDAY

16 Mile Brewery Farmers' Market, 413 South Bedford St., Georgetown. 3-6 p.m. May 17 through Aug. 30. Info: Heather Snyder at 302-841-1365 or heather@16milebrewery.com.

The Farmers Market at Sea Colony Marketplace at Sea Colony Shopping Center parking lot, Route 1, South Bethany Beach. 8 a.m. to noon, June 14-Aug. 30. Info: Carrie Bennett at carrie@bennettorchards.com.

FRIDAY

Fenwick Island Farmers Market, 1406 Coastal Highway (bayside at Warren's Station), Fenwick Island. 8 a.m. to noon, June 16 through Sept. 8. Info: Albert Hudson at 302)-841-0068 or skhudson51@gmail.com.

Milton Farmers Market, Dogfish Head Brewery, 6 Village Center Blvd., Milton. 3-6 p.m., through Oct. 6. Info: Patti Nicholson at 302-329-9566 or p.nicholson5@hotmail.com or Mike Isabell (assistant manager), 302-827-4395 or mpisabell0@gmail.com.

SATURDAY

Centreville Farmers Market, Route 52 (Kennett Pike) and Twaddell Mill Road, Centreville. 8:30-11:30 a.m., June 17-Oct. 7. Info: Connor Callahan at 302-367-9404 or connor19802@icloud.com.

Historic Lewes Farmers Market, George H. P. Smith Park, Johnson and DuPont avenues, Lewes. 8 a.m. to noon, through Sept. 30. 9 a.m.-noon, Oct. 7-Nov. 18 at Richard A. Shields Elementary School parking lot, Savannah Road and Sussex Drive. Info: 302-644-1436 or historiclewesfarmersmarket@comcast.net.

Riverwalk Farmers Market, Downtown Milford, South Walnut Street at Riverwalk Park, Milford. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Oct. 3. Info: Melissa Pingue at 302-222-2160 or washergirl@comcast.net.

SUNDAY

Bethany Beach Farmers Market, Garfield Parkway and Pennsylvania Avenue, (PNC Bank parking lot), Bethany Beach. 8 a.m. to noon, June 11-Sept. 10. Info: Doug Mowrey at 3012-717-0492 or dougmowrey@gmail.com.

Nassau Valley Vineyards Farmers Market, 32165 Winery Way, Lewes. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 28-Sept. 24. Info: Pat Coluzzi at 302-249-7878 or pat@coluzziconsulting.com.