Farmers’ Markets Gain Popularity as Delaware Opens 15th Market
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 07/17/2009 - 12:01pm.
Jayne Gest
Delaware Correspondent
Delaware held its grand opening for its newest farmers’ market July 8 in Dover attended by numerous state officials and some hungry customers.
An upsurge of new farmers’ markets have been starting up and down the First State over the past several years, while older markets are gaining popularity as well. Kelli Steele, marketing communications officer for the Delaware Department of Agriculture, said when she started her job three and a half years ago, there were only three farmers’ markets statewide and now there are 15.
In 2007, there were nine farmers’ markets that generated $450,000 statewide. Last year in 2008, that amount almost doubled to $798,000 with 11 markets, she said. This year four new farmers’ markets have been opened across the state, including the Dover one.
“So we’re hoping you shop any and all farmers’ markets. There’s now a farmers’ market open every day of the week in the state of Delaware,” Steele said.
One of the seven vendors at the new Dover market held Wednesdays in front of the capital building, Mary Fifer Fennemore, said business has been great.
The first week they were open, she said they had lines at the beginning of the market. The part owner of Fifer Orchards in Wyoming, Del., also saw a number of state workers who walked over during their lunch hour as well as drive-in customers she recognized.
Fennemore said the orchard also attends markets in Lewes and Rehoboth Beach, in southern Delaware, and both draw in beach tourists that they wouldn’t normally see at either of their two stores.
“I think we’re getting a different kind of customer,” she said of the markets.
The idea behind the new market came from Michelle Eichinger of the Delaware Division of Public Health, who found that other states like Iowa and Nebraska have markets near the capital. She is hoping to not only cater to those who live and work in the downtown Dover area, but also change their eating habits through a market that only sells fruits and vegetables. The market also has a strong educational component with an information table giving out free recipes and tips.
“Run them under cool water. Grill them. Steam them. Eat them raw, just eat your fruits and vegetables,” she told the crowd.
Secretary of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services Rita Landgraf said they had more than 500 people coming through the new Dover market on its opening day of July 1, which she finds phenomenal.
In Delaware two-thirds of adults are overweight or obese and only 20 percent of adults eat their recommended daily allowance of fruits and vegetables, she said.
Landgraf said the state surveyed its workers in May to see what their buying habits and eating behaviors are regarding fruits and vegetables; the majority of those workers work near the market in the state capital complex buildings. They plan on repeating the survey to measure the market’s impact on behavior.
In addition to emphasizing that state employees need to take care of themselves, Delaware Governor Jack Markell spoke regarding the agricultural and business impact of farmers’ markets.
“Keeping agriculture strong, keeping that important is — not just as historical legacy in Delaware, but as future legacy — really important to the quality of our environment,” he said.
Echoing him, Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee said farmers’ markets keep farms profitable, connect consumers directly to farms and help young children improve their dietary habits.
Vendors who are unable to leave their farms during a Wednesday also could have 4-H members run their booths at the Dover market, and Kee praised partnering with 4-H youth, teaching their entrepreneur skills.
“It’s a win, win, win, and probably four of five more wins,” he said. “Americans seem to want their food safe, convenient, affordable and fresh, especially in the season, and that’s what is happening here.”
Jayne GestDelaware Correspondent
Delaware held its grand opening for its newest farmers’ market July 8 in Dover attended by numerous state officials and some hungry customers.
An upsurge of new farmers’ markets have been starting up and down the First State over the past several years, while older markets are gaining popularity as well. Kelli Steele, marketing communications officer for the Delaware Department of Agriculture, said when she started her job three and a half years ago, there were only three farmers’ markets statewide and now there are 15.
In 2007, there were nine farmers’ markets that generated $450,000 statewide. Last year in 2008, that amount almost doubled to $798,000 with 11 markets, she said. This year four new farmers’ markets have been opened across the state, including the Dover one.
“So we’re hoping you shop any and all farmers’ markets. There’s now a farmers’ market open every day of the week in the state of Delaware,” Steele said.
One of the seven vendors at the new Dover market held Wednesdays in front of the capital building, Mary Fifer Fennemore, said business has been great.
The first week they were open, she said they had lines at the beginning of the market. The part owner of Fifer Orchards in Wyoming, Del., also saw a number of state workers who walked over during their lunch hour as well as drive-in customers she recognized.
Fennemore said the orchard also attends markets in Lewes and Rehoboth Beach, in southern Delaware, and both draw in beach tourists that they wouldn’t normally see at either of their two stores.
“I think we’re getting a different kind of customer,” she said of the markets.
The idea behind the new market came from Michelle Eichinger of the Delaware Division of Public Health, who found that other states like Iowa and Nebraska have markets near the capital. She is hoping to not only cater to those who live and work in the downtown Dover area, but also change their eating habits through a market that only sells fruits and vegetables. The market also has a strong educational component with an information table giving out free recipes and tips.
“Run them under cool water. Grill them. Steam them. Eat them raw, just eat your fruits and vegetables,” she told the crowd.
Secretary of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services Rita Landgraf said they had more than 500 people coming through the new Dover market on its opening day of July 1, which she finds phenomenal.
In Delaware two-thirds of adults are overweight or obese and only 20 percent of adults eat their recommended daily allowance of fruits and vegetables, she said.
Landgraf said the state surveyed its workers in May to see what their buying habits and eating behaviors are regarding fruits and vegetables; the majority of those workers work near the market in the state capital complex buildings. They plan on repeating the survey to measure the market’s impact on behavior.
In addition to emphasizing that state employees need to take care of themselves, Delaware Governor Jack Markell spoke regarding the agricultural and business impact of farmers’ markets.
“Keeping agriculture strong, keeping that important is — not just as historical legacy in Delaware, but as future legacy — really important to the quality of our environment,” he said.
Echoing him, Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee said farmers’ markets keep farms profitable, connect consumers directly to farms and help young children improve their dietary habits.
Vendors who are unable to leave their farms during a Wednesday also could have 4-H members run their booths at the Dover market, and Kee praised partnering with 4-H youth, teaching their entrepreneur skills.
“It’s a win, win, win, and probably four of five more wins,” he said. “Americans seem to want their food safe, convenient, affordable and fresh, especially in the season, and that’s what is happening here.”
