State's farmers markets hit record sales in 2023
Farmers markets continue to grow in popularity in Delaware.
According to the Delaware Department of Agriculture, last year’s farmers markets hit an all-time high sales record of $4.14 million.
In 2023, sales from all 17 Delaware community-run farmers markets totaled $4,144,951, up $437,136 from the previous record set in 2022.
“The success of a farmers market relies on three key points – the farmers who grow various products to bring to market each week, an interactive market manager who engages their community to support our family farms, and consumers who want to purchase the freshest, locally grown food to feed their families,” said Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Michael Scuse. “We are fortunate to have fantastic farmers markets throughout the state that serve as prime examples of how a community supports Delaware’s agriculture industry.”
Delaware farmers markets are run locally by municipalities, business groups, farmers or market associations. The Department of Agriculture provides support and marketing assistance.
Fresh produce comprised 52% of total sales, with the remainder coming from products such as meats, cheeses, jellies, breads, salsa, eggs or honey.
“I believe this sales record showcases the fact that residents and visitors to our state want to continue to support the family farms that produce Delaware-grown fruits, vegetables, meats and value-added products,” said department marketing specialist Kathy Jackson. “When farmers bring these products to our farmers markets, it is easy, convenient and enjoyable for consumers to buy directly from the source.”
The 2024 market season will begin in May, with most markets open by the end of June. A current list of the 2023 markets is online at delawaregrown.com, and will be updated in late April for the 2024 season.
The department will open registration for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program beginning in May for Delaware residents who are 60 years or older and meet income eligibility requirements.
Farmers and others interested in becoming vendors or community groups interested in starting a local market can contact Jackson at 302-698-4625 or by email at kathy.jackson@delaware.gov.
Sussex markets
Sussex markets in 2023 included: Historic Lewes with two locations; Nassau Valley Vineyards, Lewes; Rehoboth Beach; Bethel Historical Society; Bethany Beach; Laurel; Greenwood; Warren Station, Fenwick Island; Broadkill, Milton; Riverwalk, Milford; and Sea Colony, Bethany Beach.
Coming this year is a new market at Revelation Craft Brewing in Georgetown.
The active Lewes market
According to Jackson, the Historic Lewes Farmers Market is one of the most successful markets in the state. Individual market sales are not released.
The market has grown from its modest start in July 2006 with 16 vendors to include nearly 40 vendors and 52,000 customer visits. The market started on the grounds of the Lewes Historical Society, but moved to George H.P. Smith Park in 2016. That same year, a Wednesday market was opened at Crooked Hammock Brewery.
The market, with more than 150 volunteers, is considered a community-based, producers-only market, which means typical arts and crafts vendors found at other markets are not permitted.
The market offers special events such as Kid's Day and the Tomato Fest, and also provides workshops featuring local chefs using market food, wellness providers, master gardeners and sustainable agriculture experts.
In partnership with Lewes library, weekly children's story time has taken place since 2008.
Extensive as that schedule is, there is much more going on behind the scenes. The market is taking part in the Department of Agriculture Farm to Community pilot program, with 11 small farms providing food for 13 county food pantries and more than 3,000 people served each week.
The market also participates in the following:
• Food Pantry Purchase Program. Customer donations are given to vendors to put together a selection of their goods to be gathered and distributed to food pantries by market volunteers.
• Gleaning program. Donations of extra produce from vendors are collected and taken to Casa San Francisco in Milton, a Catholic Charities-run nonprofit providing a homeless shelter with 12 single-adult beds, a variety of services for low-income residents, and a food cooperative and emergency food pantry.
• Scholarships. Farmers are awarded scholarships to attend sustainable agriculture conferences.
• SNAP Program. The market matches bonus bucks in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program up to $20 from SNAP customers.
The market also accepts WIC (Women, Infants and Children) and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefits.
The market operates May through November at its main location and from June to September at Crooked Hammock. Go to historiclewesfarmersmarket.org for more information.
Delaware farmers market sales
2023: $4,144,951
2022: $3,707,815
2021: $3,159,175
2020: $1,949,593
2019: $3,277,788
2018: $2,883,702
2017: $3,004,174
2016: $2,901,081
2015: $3,029,831
2014: $2,636,727
2013: $2,107,265
2012: $1,960,357
2011: $1,794,265
2010: $1,330,617
2009: $1,121,024
2008: $800,679
2007: $289,706
