By Glenn Rolfe

SEAFORD — Seeds for the resurrection of an official farmers market in the city were planted Thursday.

On hand at the first organizational meeting were several potential vendors, volunteers and market patrons.

“We run a small farm, west of Seaford, and I just think that there should be something on this side of the county,” said Steve Breeding, president of the Sussex County Farm Bureau.

While many details need to be ironed out, it was agreed Thursday that the 2022 Seaford Farmer’s Market would be held Saturdays, from the second week of June through the end of August.

This year, the venue will be the Western Sussex Boys & Girls Club on Virginia Avenue. Other sites, such as the Nylon Capital Shopping Center, the Gov. Ross Mansion and the downtown district, might serve as sites in the future.

“We’ve got a good offer on the table before us right now. We need to look at that offer really good,” said Alan Quillen, the market’s point person. “The Boys & Girls Club has offered to partner with us for the first year. They are offering to bring us in under an umbrella.”

Seaford City Councilman Matt MacCoy said he has been in touch with Chris Couch of the club, who gave some input.

“You need to be connected to a nonprofit 501(c)3 for a variety of reasons,” said Councilman MacCoy. “The good thing about … the Boys & Girls Club in year one would be … they have done this before. They’ve had a farmers market out here before. They have experience and know what you need.

“The most tailor-made option today is here at the club. Then, start targeting future locations throughout the city and other 501(c)3 options,” he said. “There is a lot of energy behind the idea of bringing back the farmers market.”

Mr. Quillen added, “The interest has come back. COVID is over with. Everybody is getting rejuvenated. Farmers market was top on my list because I’ve been in the agricultural business for 45 years.”

It was also decided the market will be held weekly, as opposed to biweekly.

However, “you can’t just show up one week and not the next week,” said Alan Jones, whose family business, Grass Works Meat Farm in Seaford, has been a vendor at the Historic Lewes Farmers Market. “When you don’t show up, and if (customers) are just coming to get something from you, then they are upset. You have to stay consistent.”

Like others, Seaford’s market would fall under the auspices of the Delaware Department of Agriculture. Mr. Quillen said that, ideally, the project would need 15 to 20 vendors to succeed, offering ample produce and some diversity.

Anne Jones, also with Grass Works Meat Farm, said it is good to “have some variety but not (to) let it turn into a flea market or something like that.”

Mr. Breeding asked why the farmers market at the Boys & Girls Club ceased operation years ago.

In reply, Mr. Quillen said logistics were lacking. “I got some feedback from the vendors that were here, and it was actually the organization of it. We’ve got to become a family to make this thing work.”

Shane Marvel, owner of Marvelous Produce in Seaford, noted that the focus should be on freshness.

“No offense to anyone that was involved before, but you asked if we think we can attract a plethora of vendors — and I think it is important to emphasize that this is fresh,” he said. “Again, no offense to anyone that was involved before, but it’s a new group. It’s a clean slate, a fresh start.”

Pointing out that most farmers markets are on the east side of Sussex County, Mr. Quillen said the Seaford Farmer’s Market’s mission is to provide opportunities for growers, vendors and buyers in western Sussex and neighboring Maryland.

A second meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club on Virginia Avenue. Interested vendors, volunteers and citizens are welcome.

At the meeting, organizers hope to form a board of directors, select committee co-chairs and develop a business plan and mission statement.

“To make this work, we’ve got to put a large group of people together, get things coordinated and get things moving as quickly as possible because we have a lot of steps that we have to go through to make this work,” said Mr. Quillen.

Added Mr. Breeding, “Local is the buzzword.”