On Saturday, May 3, under bright sunny skies, the Riverwalk Farmer’s Market kicked off its 30th year with a ribbon cutting attended by several dignitaries. The market is the oldest running market in Delaware.
“We are excited to be here to kick off the 30th anniversary,” Neyda Albarran, Vice-President of Downtown Milford, Inc., who puts on the market every year, said. “This marks an amazing milestone as we continue to be the longest running official market in the state.”
Mayor Todd Culotta commented that it was a testament to those who committed to getting up early every Saturday, getting the market ready and providing great service to those in the area.
“You have to remember, 30 years ago, gas was $1.15 a gallon. A carton of eggs were 92 cents a dozen,” Culotta said. “A lot has happened in that time and yet it’s been consistent here. This Farmer’s Market also takes state benefits, so it really provides services to those that really need the nutritional value of it.”
State Secretary of Agriculture Don Clifton also attended the ceremony.
“I’m very pleased to be here and I congratulate the Milford Farmer’s Market on the anniversary,” Clifton said. “I want to give a shoutout to the vendors. I’ve been a farmer for over 45 years, and I appreciate what goes into the products that they are providing you. I identify with agriculture, of course, but all these vendors put a lot of effort into what they do, and they’re giving ou the best of what they’ve ggot,and I very much appreciate them as well as the organization that puts this together.”
Shelby Nash DiCostanzo, Chairperson of the Farmer’s Market stated that she was glad to be back after the winter break and that she was “loving the vibe.”
“I’m also a farmer, not currently the production that would be available to be sold here,” Representative Charles Postles said. “I’m a frequent flyer here. My wife always wants to see what I brought home. So, congratulations on being here for 30 years.”
Representative Bryan Shupe also commended the farmers who made the market possible.
“Not only those that show up here weekly, but that are working across the state of Delaware every single day to make sure that we are able to get the food that we need to nourish our souls and nourish our families,” Shupe said. “I was very excited to see that our new Secretary of Agriculture was Don Clifton, because he is a farmer. He is from a farming family. They are also small business owners for their bakery as well. So we know that we are in good hands. We know that we have people that are on the ground, living and doing what we need done for agriculture here in Delaware, for all the farmers here, thank you for everything that we do. We could not literally be alive without you, but we also would not live the healthy lives that we need to as well.”
Shupe brought a resolution recognizing the 30 years of the market, but stated that since the celebration was for 30 years and everyone should want to celebrate the next 30 years, he had his 8-year old daughter, Evelyn, read the proclamation.
“Let’s project out into the universe that we are going to celebrate the next 30 years and the next generation at the farmers market,” Shupe said.
The Riverwalk Farmer’s Market is open every Saturday from May through December from 8 AM to 1 PM at 1 South Walnut Street. For more information about becoming a vendor or joining the committee, email Downtown Milford Inc. or call 302-393-6808.
