A One-Stop destination for local fresh, sustainable, and gourmet foods in Sussex County

Two Milford families, the Shupes and Helmicks, have joined together to create The Farmacy Market in Downtown Milford. The Farmacy will be a food market located at 28 S Walnut Street in Milford, that partners with local Delmarva growers, farmers and artisans with a focus on ethical, sustainable, and clean farming practices.

The owners of The Farmacy Market, have carefully curated a selection of local foods, sourced from trusted farmers and producers who share their commitment to sustainability and quality. From fresh, locally grown produce, to responsibly sourced meat and seafood that supports the environment, they are dedicated to offering products that are not only delicious but also align with the values of the growers and farmers across Delmarva. 

Chantel and Patrick Helmick, owners of the local business Helmick’s Homestead, have honored this philosophy personally as their family saw healthy foods create a path for recovery for their entire family as Chantel overcame a Hodgkins Lymphoma cancer diagnosis in 2016.

“I knew that I wanted to provide my wife with the most nutritionally dense food possible to support her recovery,” said Patrick Helmick, co-founder of The Farmacy Market. “She healed faster, was healthier and our gardens became a stress reducers and a mission for us.”

In 2020 the Helmick family launched their small business Helmick’s Homestead with a mission to help their community become healthier through the availability of fresh, nutritious foods. The business is a staple of the Riverwalk Farmers Market in Downtown Milford on Saturday mornings and is known for its weekly food donations to local organizations. 

THE FARMACY WILL OPEN IN THE FORMER WATTAY ACCOUNTING BUILDING SOON

Sherry and Bryan Shupe have owned Fur Baby Pet Resort in Milford since 2011, growing the retail spot from 800 sq ft. to a full service doggie daycare, overnight and spa of over 10,000 sq feet. Nutrition for man’s best friend has been a focus of their boutique as they offer human-grade, all-natural, organic dog food, treats and products for pets. After rehabilitating the former Milford fertilizer property that sat vacant on the Mispillion River for 20 years, the Shupe family began hosting farm families at their shop including Little Wagon Produce and Helmick’s Homestead.

The Shupe’s commitment to providing smart nutrition to their customers and their connections with farmers led them to think of a way to expand into helping local families through the creation of The Farmacy Market. 

“We are blessed to live in a state and county where we have families that produce nutritious, healthy food right here in our communities,” said co-founder Sherry Shupe, “We will provide our neighbors with access to the finest quality produce, seafood, meats, cheese, bakery, sweets and artisan products while promoting the philosophy that “Food Is Medicine.”

The Farmacy Market will also boast a collection of gourmet kitchen supplies aimed at inspiring families to embrace their inner chef. From high-quality cookware to specialized tools and gadgets, the store will  have thoughtfully selected products that will enhance the cooking experience and make meal preparation an adventure.

As the store embraces “Food Is Medicine,” The Farmacy Market is intended to not just be a place to shop but a community hub where locals are encouraged the exchange knowledge and ideas. 

“We are proud to offer educational resources, cooking demonstrations, and workshops on topics such as sustainable farming, nutrition, and the art of mindful eating,” said co-founder Chantel Helmick.  “Our goal is to empower our customers to make informed choices about the food they consume and to create a positive impact on their health and the environment.”