Historic Lewes Farmers Market opens for season
Promptly at 8 a.m., May 4, the cowbells rang and the Historic Lewes Farmers Market opened for its 19th season.
Lewes Mayor Andrew Williams joined other dignitaries to cut the ribbon.
“We’re grateful we have such a robust farmers market,” Williams said. “It’s not just an opportunity to buy locally, but also to come together as a community. We’re thankful for what they provide and the volunteers who make it happen.”
There are 35 vendors, including two that are new for 2024.
Ellie Shue, HLFM executive director, said the market is all about giving back.
“We’re continuing our SNAP program, so we do a $20 match for customers,” she said. “We also have our food pantry purchase program.”
For the first time, the market has banned dogs. Certified service dogs are still allowed. Shue said the decision was made because of some incidents in the past.
“We’ve had positive feedback. People understand that it wasn’t making folks feel safe,” Shue said.
People with shopping bags in hand lined up at the entrances in George H.P. Smith Park ready to buy.
Lyndsey Frey-Gonzalez and Ignacio Gonzalez are regulars at the Fox Briar Farm booth. “We bought some beautiful greens from Kathleen [Moss]. We’ve been seeing her for three or four years,” said Ignacio.
The vendors are also excited for the season ahead.
Isabel Walsh, owner of Gather, has been selling her popular alfajores cookies at the market for three years. Alfajores are shortbread cookies with Dulce de Leche, a specialty from her native El Salvador.
“It’s been great. The community has been amazing,” Walsh said. “I’ve been baking at the Station on Kings, and finally decided to open my own business with my husband. The best idea was to start at the farmers market to see if our business worked and it did.”
Walsh said they hope to open their new bakery on Rehoboth Avenue in Rehoboth Beach later this year.
The Historic Lewes Farmers Market is open 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., every Saturday through Sept. 28 in George H.P. Smith Park. The fall market runs from Oct. 5 through Nov. 23 in the Lewes Elementary School parking lot.
