Parsons Farms Produce opening new location near Milford

Looking to meet the growing demand in eastern Sussex County and also catch beach traffic, Parsons Farms Produce is opening a second location Thursday, May 15, south of Milford.

“We’ve been wanting to open a market in this area for a while now,” said owner Paul Parsons. “It’s going to be a mini Parsons Farms. It’s a new era, and it’s exciting.”

The Parsons family has been farming in western Sussex County for at least five generations. Parsons’ dad, Preston, opened the original Parsons Farms Produce stand in 1989 on Route 20 near Indian River High School outside Dagsboro. It was a card table and an umbrella, said Parsons.

The new location is on the southbound side of Route 1, on the Le Gates property that’s had a handful of farm stands over the years. Running it will be Parsons’ son Tyler, a 19-year-old finishing up his first year at Delaware Valley University in Pennsylvania where he’s studying agribusiness.

He just finished up that day, said Parsons during a May 13 interview.

Parsons said he thinks the new location will be a good spot for the people who live in the Milton, Milford, Lewes and Rehoboth areas, and a good spot for beach visitors to stock up before their vacation begins.

The farm stand will include fresh produce and baked goods, a petting zoo area, flowers and more, said Parsons. Parsons’ other site has a commercial kitchen where the food can be made and transported daily to the Milford location, he said.

The goal this year, said Parsons, is to get the market up and running, get through the season and then see where changes need to be made for next year. There are already plans for U-pick strawberries in spring 2026, he said.

Parsons Farms Produce, 9598 Coastal Hwy., Milford, will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week, through Oct. 31. For more information, go to parsonsfarmsproduce.com or email info@parsonsfarmsproduce.com.