Two West Side Markets Launch 2026 Season with a Shared Mission: Fresh Food for Every Neighbor
West Side Farmers Market at Cool Spring Park and Westside Urban Farmers Market Expand Access to Locally Grown Food on Wilmington's West Side
Wilmington, DE: This June, two community-rooted farmers markets will bring a season of fresh food, cultural celebration, and neighborhood connection to Wilmington's West Side:
West Side Farmers Market at Cool Spring Park
Every Wednesday June 10th to October 28th, 2026 3:30-6:30 PM
Cool Spring Park, N Van Buren Street & Park Place, Wilmington, DE
Contact: Market Manager at farmersmarket@westsidegrows.org or (302) 888-5346
www.westsidegrows.org/farmersmarket
Organized by Cornerstone West CDC
Westside Urban Farmers Market at Messiah's Farm Market & Wholistic Center
Every Other Friday June 19th to October 23rd, 2026 4:00-7:00 PM
Messiah’s Farm Market & Wholistic Center, 1512 W 4th Street, Wilmington, DE 19805
Contact: Jamie Shanklin-Spencer at messiahsmarket@gmail.com or (302) 689-3891
www.facebook.com/MessiahsMarket
Organized by Messiah’s Farm Market & Wholistic Center (formerly Messiah’s Market)
These local Markets support local agriculture and local vendors, and will help to stretch customers’ dollars this season through healthy food incentives. Shoppers using SNAP/EBT will receive a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $20 in wooden market tokens redeemable for fresh fruits and vegetables. The Markets also accept Women Infants & Children (WIC) and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) benefits.
West Side Farmers Market at Cool Spring Park: Now in Its 15th Year
The West Side Farmers Market at Cool Spring Park has been a leader in connecting fresh foods to local residents on Wilmington's West Side since 2011. Operated by Cornerstone West CDC as part of the West Side Grows Together neighborhood revitalization initiative, the Market runs every Wednesday from June 10th through October 28th, 3:30 to 6:30 PM, at Cool Spring Park.
This season, the market is opening two weeks earlier–in direct response to community feedback–and has welcomed new partnerships with the Wilmington Kitchen Collective, Launcher and the Red Clay Chapter of the Wilmington Learning Collaborative, expanding its network of resources for local vendors and entrepreneurs. Opening day on June 10th will feature a Caribbean American Heritage Month celebration in collaboration with the Jamaican Delaware Association, with a live musical performance by Darnell Miller, a dance performance sponsored by the Christina Cultural Arts Center, Caribbean vendors, carnival games & petting zoo sponsored by Gravesyard Apiary, free face painting sponsored by Duffy’s Hope, and a free take home seed starting activity for attendees sponsored by Bright Spot Farm.
Jennifer Hernandez Thomas, Market Manager of the West Side Farmers Market at Cool Spring Park shared, “Farmers markets are so important to our community right now. In the hardships of this economy, coming to this market is a breath of fresh air, between connecting with our neighbors and all the great local vendors.”
Messiah's Farm Market & Wholistic Center presents the Westside Urban Farmers Market: A New Afro-Rooted Community Market
Launching this Juneteenth is the Westside Urban Farmers Market, hosted by Messiah’s Farm Market & Wholistic Center, located at 1512 W 4th Street in Wilmington. Opening day will feature a Juneteenth fashion show, silent auction for a trip to Africa, tower garden raffle, plus music, vendors, and more. The mission of the Market is to reconnect neighbors with fresh food, local growers, herbal wellness, art, music, and cultural expression while creating economic opportunities for small businesses, youth entrepreneurs, and Black and Brown farmers.
The Market will feature fresh local produce, herbal products and wellness vendors, prepared foods and cultural cuisine, artists and handmade goods, live performances, youth business vendors, “Food as Medicine” education, and community resource connections. EBT accessibility and youth entrepreneurship are among the market's core priorities.
"The Westside Urban Farmers Market is more than a place to shop, it's a gathering space rooted in healing, culture, land stewardship, and community care," said Jamie Shanklin-Spencer, Founder of Messiah's Market. "We wanted to create something that reflects the beauty, resilience, and creativity of our community while increasing access to healthy food and supporting local entrepreneurs."
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About Cornerstone West CDC Cornerstone West CDC is a Wilmington-based nonprofit community development organization founded in 1999. As the backbone organization of the West Side Grows Together community revitalization initiative, Cornerstone works to strengthen and preserve Wilmington's West Side as a vibrant, mixed-income community through programs addressing housing, economic development, health and community wellbeing, and youth and community-building. Follow West Side Grows Together on the Web, Facebook & Instagram for more information and program updates.
About Messiah's Farm Market & Wholistic Center Messiah's Market is a Wilmington-based organization focused on urban agriculture, food access, “wholistic” wellness, youth education, and community healing through nature-based programming. Through its Wholistic Center, community gardens, educational initiatives, and fresh food access programs, Messiah's Market works to reconnect communities with land, food, and cultural wellness traditions. Follow Messiah’s Market on the Web, GrownBy, Facebook & Instagram for more information and program updates.
