New Castle – County Executive Matthew Meyer today announced the opening of New Castle County-sponsored farmers markets for the 2017 season. Each farmers market features a combination of locally-sourced fruits, vegetables and other products for purchase, and several feature entertainment and other family-friendly activities.
“New Castle County strongly supports farmers markets because they create access to homegrown foods, nourish healthy communities and provide new markets to area farmers and entrepreneurs,” County Executive Matthew Meyer said. “I encourage all of our residents to check out our five convenient locations and to learn more about each site by visiting www.nccde.org or calling 302-395-5600.”
New Castle County farmers markets bring fresh, local produce, meats, honey, plants and flowers along with prepared foods from local food trucks and restaurants and handmade goods by local artisans and entrepreneurs. Three farmers markets – at Rockwood Park, Carousel Park, and Glasgow Park – open for the season this Thursday, May 4 and Friday, May 5 and additional markets along Route 9 and in the City of Wilmington will open at the end of the month.
In 2016, New Castle County-sponsored farmers markets were visited by more than 35,000 people, with attendance up 62% over 2015, and generated $350,000 in revenue for its vendors, a 50% increase over the year before. In an effort to expand access to locally sourced fresh fruits and vegetables to more residents, all five farmers markets will accept EBT cards (SNAP Benefits) and FMNP-WIC coupons this season.
New Castle County-sponsored farmers market locations and schedules are as follows:
Rockwood Park Farmers’ Market
Thursdays, 3 – 7 pm from May 4 through October 26
Rockwood Park, 4651 Washington Street Extension, North Wilmington
· Featuring a weekly play-along jam with the Brandywine Friends of Old Time Music. The market will also feature a step-by-step demonstration of creating a woven scarf from alpaca wool gathered from alpacas at Carousel Park. Patrons will watch the as the wool goes from its raw state through the final product throughout the season. The scarf will then be raffled off. Click here for a full list of vendors.
Carousel Park Farmers’ Market
Fridays, 2 – 7 pm from May 5 through October 27
Carousel Park & Equestrian Center, 3700 Limestone Road, Pike Creek
· Located on the grounds of The Carousel Park and Equestrian Center, a 215 acre oasis offering open space, rolling meadows, an off leash bark park, two fishing ponds, walking paths, and more. Click here for a full list of vendors.
Glasgow Park Farmers’ Market
Fridays, 3 – 7 pm from May 5 through November 17
Glasgow Park, 2275 Pulaski Highway (at intersection of Rt. 40 & Rt. 896), Bear
· Featuring weekly live music performances, and monthly family days. The May 5 opening date includes a live performance by music duo Cecilia Grace, FREE face painting for kids, and interactive displays. Click here for a full list of vendors.
Route 9 Farmers’ Market
Wednesdays, 3 – 7 pm from May 24 – October 4
Bowlerama Parking Lot, 3031 New Castle Avenue, New Castle, DE 19720
Westside Farmers Market at Cool Spring Park
Thursdays, 3 – 7 pm from May 25 – October 5
Cool Spring Park (West 10th & North Jackson Streets), Wilmington, DE 19806
Farmers and merchants interested in participating in the County’s farmers markets are encouraged to contact Michael Begatto, Community Services Coordinator for the New Castle County Department of Community Services, at (302) 395-5600 or [email protected].
New Castle County Farmers Markets are supported by the Department of Community Services which is committed to providing high quality recreational, educational, social and cultural programming for the community, and is part of its Live Healthy New Castle County initiative which encourages wellness and physical activity through access to fresh and nutritious foods and fitness activities.
Source: County Executive’s Office Press Release
Image Credits: Delaware Farmers Market