Milton Farmers Market to open April 20

The Milton Farmers Market will open for the 2018 season from 3 to 6 p.m., Friday, April 20, on the grounds of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery at 6 Village Center Blvd. Many of the 23 vendors offering fresh produce, local meat, gourmet food and gifts will be familiar faces at the market, and they’ll be joined by some new vendors as well.

The market will run through early October. Five special festivals will enliven the schedule by highlighting seasonal foods: an Asparagus Festival May 11, a Peach Festival July 20, National Farmers Market Week Aug. 10, Oktoberfest Oct. 5, the final day of the weekly market schedule, and a Harvest Market Nov. 16.

Fresh produce abounds at Milton Farmers Market. Baywater Greens offers locally grown hydroponic lettuces, Dittmar Family Farms provides fresh produce and plants, T.S. Smith & Sons brings a variety of fruits and vegetables (plus donuts), and Nash’s Veggies, returning this year, supplies in-season produce grown in Lincoln. Evans Farm offers lettuce, cantaloupes, melons, peaches and more, while Stag Run Farm provides locally grown apples, asparagus and homemade honey.

The edible offerings don’t stop with fruits and vegetables. Alaska Wild Seafoods catches salmon, cod and halibut in Alaska and ships them straight to Delaware, and The Cheese Board has imported artisan cheese sourced worldwide. Pasqualini’s Bakery makes Italian pastries, pies, cakes and cookies from scratch, and Nana’s Delites dreams up many sweet temptations. Sopra Della Bella, a new vendor for 2018, supplies homemade pasta sauces, and Ada’s Picnic, another new seller, makes picnic-ready potato salads, pasta salads and sides. Eastern Shore Kettle Corn satisfies a sweet-and-salty tooth, and Backyard Jams & Jellies makes over 85 flavors of jarred spreads. VanAuken Fudge is locally made and ever-so-smooth.

If shoppers come to the market hungry for a made-to-order late lunch or dinner, they’ll find a smorgasbord to choose from. A new food truck this year is Rosenfeld’s Jewish Deli, which has quickly made a mark with its Ocean City, Md. and Rehoboth Beach store locations. Abbott’s Grill pulls up the barbecue once monthly, offering smoky chicken, cool lemonade and fresh specials. The Corn Exchange has delectable ears of corn with tangy, buttery toppings on offer, and Blotto Gelato puts a kick into gelato and sorbet. Java Jukebox offers hot coffee, cocoa and cider, and the farmers market also offers Dogfish Head beer on draft.

Rounding out the market’s attractions are Sand Hill Soap Co. with artisanal soaps; Charlie’s Treats Bakery, which creates homemade doggie treats; and By Sharp Edge, which can sharpen items from kitchen knives to lawnmower blades while customers browse the market.

Live music by a rotating schedule of performers will entertain market guests each week. Slinging Daises will perform on opening day.

For more information about vendors, notes on product availability throughout the market season, volunteer opportunities and more, go to www.miltondefarmersmarket.org.