By Mike Finney

With spring in full bloom and strawberry season right around the corner, many Delawareans are starting to think about shopping for locally fresh fruits and vegetables.

Fresh food fanatics will have plenty of options this spring and summer, as there will be 17 farmers markets throughout the First State, as well as more than 70 farm stores and stands ready to provide fresh local produce.

The Delaware Farm Bureau said with multiple vendors offering a variety of products, including produce, meat, dairy, and handmade crafts, customers are likely to discover something new with each trip to their local farmers market.

It added that, additionally, farmers markets allow customers to make a connection with producers. They can ask questions regarding how the product was grown or made, allowing for more transparency from producers to consumers.

“Our experience at farmers markets has been so positive with all the loyal customers that attend every year,” said Jenny Dittmar, of Felton, in a press release.

Ms. Dittmar and her family run Dittmar Family Farms offering produce, pastured meats, and goat soap with a focus on regenerative agriculture.

Customers can find the Dittmar’s products at local farmers markets or have the option to pre-order online at app.barn2door.com/dittmarfamilyfarms/all for carside pickup on the Dittmar farm, at 644 Paradise Alley Road in Felton. They are open on Thursdays from 4:30 until 6:30 p.m.

“Every year we look forward to seeing all the vendors and volunteers again and so many friends we have made over the years,” Ms. Dittmar said. “When the farmers markets open back up each season and we see the excitement on our customers faces at our table displays of veggies, it reminds us that we are doing what we are meant to be doing and gives us a sense of pride for all the months of preparation leading up to the beginning of May. It is all worth it.”

The Delaware Farm Bureau said farm stores and stands have become increasingly popular across the First State as farmers can sell their products on the farm.

With a busy summer schedule, some farmers need the flexibility of selling products where they work. When customers shop at farm stores and stands, they get a glimpse of life on the farm and see where their food is grown, while directly supporting the farmers’ dreams.

“We at Delaware Farm Bureau love to highlight our farmers who attend farmers markets and have farm stores on our social media,” said Mikayla Paul, Delaware Farm Bureau marketing coordinator, in a press release.

“You can find something new at each vendor or store – it’s such a fun experience. Farmers put in tireless hours of work to provide their customers with the best product possible, and we are so appreciative of that.”

As farm stores expand, many turn to agritourism to further increase farm transparency, offering their customers the opportunity to explore the farm.

For many consumers, learning exactly how their food is grown makes them more comfortable with their purchase.

Agritourism can vary greatly from farm to farm. Some offer a U-pick option, allowing customers to go into the fields and pick their very own produce, such as strawberries and peaches. Others give their customers the chance to tour the farm and learn about the day-to-day operations.

Either way, the Farm Bureau said it is a win-win for both the farmers and their customers.

For a full list of farmers markets in Delaware visit www.Agriculture.delaware.gov/communications-marketing/buy-local-delaware-guide/

A record-setting year

In January, the Delaware Department of Agriculture announced that 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 T. Scuse, in a press release.

“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.”

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,” Department of Agriculture spokesperson Kathy Jackson said.

“When farmers bring these products to our farmers markets, it is easy, convenient, and enjoyable for consumers to buy directly from the source.”

Staff writer Mike Finney can be reached at 302-741-8230 or mfinney@iniusa.org.
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