First farmers market of the season opens
The Nassau Valley Vineyards Farmers Market was the first area market to open May 17 under strict social-distancing guidelines due to the COVID-19 state of emergency.
New rules were put into place by the Delaware Department of Agriculture to allow markets to open starting May 15. The new regulations require monitoring the number of people visiting a market, with no more than two people from a household allowed to enter and no congregating permitted. Everyone must also wear a face covering, and walking within markets will be one way with no doubling back. Only two people will be permitted at a vendor at a time, and only vendors will be allowed to touch produce and goods. No pets will be allowed and social distancing is required. Market managers are urging people to preorder as much as possible using the websites of the markets or the farmers, as well as Facebook pages.
Milton Farmers Market is set to open from 3 to 6 p.m., Friday, May 22, at 6 Village Center Blvd.; Rehoboth Beach Farmers Market will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, May 26, in Grove Park; and Historic Lewes Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 30, in George H.P. Smith Park. The Nassau Valley market is open from noon to 3 p.m. Sundays.