Delaware farmers’ markets posted a record $2.6 million sales season, double the figure of five years ago, the Delaware Department of Agriculture reported. Sales were up more than half a million dollars from 2013.
“This record-setting season is a reflection of Delaware’s thriving local food movement,” said Gov. Jack Markell. “Farmers’ markets help strengthen our neighborhoods and increase economic opportunity. Our farmers, community leaders and market organizers deserve congratulations for a job well-done and thanks for their hard work to keep Delaware’s agriculture and food sector moving forward.”
Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee said the markets are a great example of public-private partnerships. “Over the last few years, we have seen an incredible rise in people wanting to eat healthy and buy fresh, local foods for themselves and their children,” Kee said. “Our farmers and producers are working to meet that demand by selling some of the best fresh produce, meats, cheeses and honey that any state can offer. Our farmers’ markets also connect the people who eat with the people who grow their food, fostering conversations and friendships that can last a lifetime.”
Sales from all 27 community-run farmers’ markets totaled $2,636,727, up more than $520,000 from 2013. Sales have increased more than eightfold since the Department of Agriculture began tracking the results 2007.
Fresh produce made up 59 percent of the total sales in 2014, with the rest coming from products such as meats, cheeses, jellies, breads, salsa, eggs or honey.
Delaware’s farmers’ markets are all run at the local level, by municipalities, business groups, farmers or market associations, with the Department of Agriculture providing support and marketing help. These markets are not related to privately owned farmers markets in New Castle and other locations.
Use of the Electronic Benefits Transfer card system is growing steadily, allowing families to buy local produce and food items as part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Five markets offered EBT transactions during 2014, for $5,902 in sales. Several other markets are planning to expand into the program in 2015.
The 2015 market season will begin in April; most markets start their operations in May, June and July. There are now two winter markets open for the season, in Millsboro and Delaware City. A list of the markets is online at Delaware’s Buy Local Guide, de.gov/buylocal.
Farmers and others interested in becoming a vendor, or community groups interested in starting a local market, can contact Department of Agriculture marketing specialist David Smith at (302) 698-4522 or davidm.smith@state.de.us.
Sales by year are as follows:
2007: $289,706
2008: $800,679
2009: $1,121,024
2010: $1,330,617
2011: $1,794,265
2012: $1,960,357
2013: $2,107,265
2014: $2,636,727
