Delaware farmers’ market sales double in five years

DOVER, Del. – Thanks to the increasing interest in local food and farm-fresh products, the Delaware Department of Agriculture has announced of record number sales this season.

Delaware official say famers’ markets in the first state saw a record number of $2.6 million in sales in the past five years. Reports say sales have increased more than eightfold since the Department of Agriculture began tracking them in 2007. Reports also say that fresh produce made up 59 percent of the total sales, with the rest steaming from products such as meats, cheeses, jellies, breads, salsa, eggs or honey.

Another area where markets showed growth in is the use of Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card system. Five markets offered EBT transaction allowing families to purchase local produce and food items as part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Now reports say many more markets plan using the system in 2015.

The 2015 market season will begin in April and currently two winter markets are open for the season, in Millsboro and Delaware City. To find a full list of markets visit Delaware’s Buy Local Guide at de.gov/buylocal.