New Castle County Executive Tom Gordon is pleased to announce the opening of the 2015 County Farmers Markets at Garfield Park PAL Center and Rockwood Park on May 21 and Carousel and Glasgow parks on May 22.
The markets will run through the end of October. Serving the mantra, “Buy Local, Buy Fresh,” this County initiative provides convenient access to fresh local produce, meats, honey, spices, and other hand-crafted local items.
“We are participating in the farm-to-table phenomenon that has become increasingly popular as people realize the healthy benefits of eating more fresh foods,” County Executive Gordon said. “This also provides exposure for local farmers and merchants looking to sell their wares.”
The concept of the local food market arguably began over 5,000 years ago in ancient Egypt where farmers, along the Nile River, traded vegetables and goods. In 2014, over 5,000 miles away in New Castle County, Delaware, the Farmers Market program has generated revenues of approximately $166,000, and served more than 14,000 visitors at its three markets.
With funding from the USDA, the County plans to utilize approximately $100,000 in grant funding to promote the Markets at Carousel, Glasgow, and Rockwood Parks and to create and promote one new site, Garfield Park, Community Services General Manager Sophia Hanson said.
“In adding the Garfield Park site, New Castle County intends to provide the communities along the recently established Route 9 Innovation District with improved access to fresh produce and healthy food choices,” Ms. Hanson said. The grand opening event for this new market is scheduled for June 11, 2015 at 4 p.m., in conjunction with a Community Dinner sponsored by HealthyKids Delaware and the County.
New Castle County plans to feature live music entertainment, a Farmers Market Story time program for kids, as well as other offerings to help promote the initiative, attract patrons and entice new vendors to participate in the markets. For more information about New Castle County Farmers Markets, as well as its participating vendors, event schedules and how to become a vendor, please visit New Castle County’s website at: http://www.nccde.org/farmersmarkets.
Opening Dates and Locations, which all run from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.:
Thursday, May 21, 2015 at the Route 9 Farmers Market at Garfield Park PAL Center and Lending Library, 26 Karlyn Drive, New Castle, and each Thursday afternoon thereafter until mid-autumn
Thursday, May 21, 2015 at Rockwood Museum & Park, 4651 Washington Street Ext, Wilmington, and each Thursday afternoon thereafter
Friday, May 22, 2015 at Carousel Park & Equestrian Center, 3700 Limestone Rd, Wilmington, and each Friday afternoon thereafter
Friday, May 22, 2015 at Glasgow Park, 2275 Pulaski Hwy, Newark, and each Friday afternoon thereafter