Historic Lewes Farmers Market to open May 30 at Shields

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market will open for its 15th season from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, May 30. Due to rain in the forecast, the May 30 market will be held in the parking lot of Richard A. Shields Elementary School at Savannah Road and Sussex Drive.

Market patrons may come in at the school parking lot entrance on Shields Avenue in front of the school.

There will be a hand-washing station at the school, and a volunteer will also be at the entrance with hand sanitizer spray.

Lewes School across the street from Shields, and its parking lot and playing fields are closed for construction. Beebe Healthcare is generously allowing market customers to park in its outside parking lots.

To see where parking is located and to view vendor maps, go to www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org.

The market this year is very different. Due to COVID-19, the emphasis has shifted to ensuring safe access to fresh foods, and the market for the foreseeable future won't be the social venue everyone loves.

The market is following the Delaware Department of Agriculture Farmers Market Protocols to help keep everyone safe. This means no demos, no tastings, no lingering, one-direction progress through the market, face masks, six-foot social distancing and more.

A number of market vendors now take preorders. The market website, www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org, lists all vendors, their contact information and whether or not they take preorders. Customers who preorder will pick up at the vendor tent in the market and walk around the market path to the exit. The market suggests that customers who preorder come later in the day when there is less traffic.

The market’s weekly newsletter lists featured items from vendors. To receive the newsletter, customers can sign up by emailing info@historiclewesfarmersmarket.org.

Processing of SNAP, WIC, and SFMNP coupons will begin Saturday, June 6. The market will continue to match SNAP up to $20 per market, per customer.

Customers are to follow these protocols set by the Delaware Department of Agriculture:

Do not come to the market if you have symptoms related to COVID-19. When it is safe for you to come:

• Cover your face: You must wear a face covering to enter the market.
• Wait your turn: No more than two customers per vendor at a time.
• Maximum of two people per household allowed in the market.
• Observe social distancing: Maintain at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and everyone else at the market.
• Electronic payment: Use credit cards when you can. Follow vendor instructions carefully.
• No touching: Do not touch market items. Tell vendor the item you wish to purchase, and the vendor will bag items for you.
• No doubling back: The market is one-way; you must move continuously forward through the market.
• No lingering or congregating: Spend as little time as possible with each vendor for flow of customers through the market.
• Preorder as much as you can: Many vendors can now take preorders. Consult HLFM newsletter, Facebook page and website for information on how to preorder, and pick up from vendors at the market.
• No pets (service animals permitted): This is a state rule for the farmers markets at this time.
• Wash your produce: At home, wipe down any packaging with antiviral solution. Wash your produce with water.

For more information, go to www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org.