By Glenn Rolfe

MILLSBORO — Unless a group steps forward, there won’t be a farmers market at the Millsboro Town Center this year.

The town decided Monday that it will not assume the managerial role of a market, but leaders are offering a carrot to any nonprofit organization that could assume the reins for the 2022 season.

At its meeting this week, Town Council put the word out that the town center’s parking lot would be offered as a venue for any interested entity.

“You could still put it out there that the town would still love to see a market,” said Millsboro Town Manager Sheldon Hudson. “It’s just that we are not in a position to manage it.”

The decision followed discussion and a synopsis from Jamie Burk, assistant town manager, who offered many pages of rules from the Delaware Department of Agriculture governing such markets.

“This,” Mr. Burk said, “is a lot.”

Councilman Larry Gum added, “I wouldn’t even know what to enforce on that list to begin with.”

In addition, Councilman Ron O’Neal asked if it is feasible for the town to limit the number or type of vendors. “Maybe you allow only certain vendors,” he said. “Or is it just too broad for us to try?”

Mr. Burk replied, “I mean, there is even a rule for produce. So it’s not even if you get rid of eggs, milk and shellfish. What are you left with to sell?”

According to Kathy Jackson, marketing specialist for the Agriculture Department, “the rules are really for the vendors themselves, not for the market manager. The manager should be checking with all their vendors to make sure that they (are) current on all the permits and registrations that they need.”

The 2021 market — Saturday mornings from mid-May through September — was a huge success. The sales were operated for several years under the supervision of then-Mayor Michelle Truitt, who resigned in November.

“I think it was a successful market,” said Ms. Jackson. “I think it served the people of Millsboro and also served the farmers in that area.”

Nevertheless, Mr. Hudson said it is “very unusual for a municipality to run a market.”
Attorney Mary Schrider-Fox, the town’s solicitor, agreed, citing the farmers market in Bethany Beach.

“It is a private group of people that they’ve created a corporation,” she said. “That is a possible way of moving forward. If the town is not going to be the manager, you (just) provide the site.”

Ms. Jackson added, “It’s not completely unique, but most markets have like some kind of volunteer board or (are) sponsored by some kind of other organization.”

Council first discussed the prospect for the 2022 farmers market at its February meeting. The hope then, as it is now, is that an organization such as the Millsboro Downtown Partnership — which has been basically dormant for several years — might be resurrected or that others in the community may want to get involved.

Since that time, the Greater Millsboro Chamber of Commerce has indicated it cannot manage the market, Councilman John Thoroughgood said.

“It would be great if some organization would be willing to step up. I hope that happens,” said Ms. Jackson. “It can also be a Lions Club. What it really needs is a very passionate person that really cares about it and wants to do it, in charge, and a group of maybe at least three or four other volunteers who are happy to put in the hours and work with it.”