National Farmers Market Week to be celebrated Aug. 8 at HLFM
The Historic Lewes Farmers Market had originally scheduled its Tomato Festival for Saturday, Aug. 8, but it won’t be held due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, the HLFM will celebrate National Farmers Market Week (Aug. 2-8) Saturday, Aug. 8, and urges folk to come to the market to purchase the best tomatoes and produce available on Delmarva. The HLFM Facebook page and newsletter will feature pictures, videos, and recipes from previous tomato festival celebrations, so everyone can remember better times.
This year, the HLFM is celebrating the resiliency of farmers markets, local farmers/producers, and market volunteers. They have proven that farmers markets, with their short supply chains, are essential to keeping food available to local communities. The HLFM and other Delaware farmers markets worked hard together to open the markets in Delaware to offer the best local food, and then helped develop protocols to make them safe. Local volunteers risk coming out to help, many week after week. The HLFM continues programs for SNAP, WIC, and SFMNP customers. And, the market this year supports not one but two food pantries, at Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth and Casa San Francisco in Milton.
Customers should subscribe to the free newsletter by emailing info@historiclewesfarmersmarket.org to see how the market is celebrating, and for specific listings of what’s available by vendor.
The market will be at George H.P. Smith Park (Dupont and Johnson avenues), weather permitting. In case of rain, it moves to Shields Elementary School parking lot at Savannah Road and Sussex Drive. The HLFM Facebook page will post market location updates.
There’s a raffle going on to support the HLFM, offering two great prizes – a Barrow of Booze (wheelbarrow full of fine wines and spirits), and Fabu-Lewes Feast, eight $125 gift certificates from the best restaurants in the area. Both are valued at $1,000! Tickets are just $5 each or six for $25, and are available at the Saturday market.
The HLFM holds its Wednesday market from 8 to 11 a.m. at Crooked Hammock Brewery, 36707 Crooked Hammock Way, Lewes with many of its favorite vendors and parking right next to the market.
Due to COVID-19, the market is very different this year. The entrance is near the gravel path from the circle driveway. The market’s perimeter is enclosed, with only one entrance and one exit. Masks are required, and a maximum of two people per household are allowed in at a time. Go to www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org for Delaware Department of Agriculture Farmers Market Customer Rules.
The HLFM website, www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org, lists all vendors, their contact information, and whether or not they take preorders. For preorders, customers will pick up at the vendor tent in the market, preferably later in the day when there is less traffic volume.
The market continues to match SNAP up to $20 per market, per customer. WIC and SFMNP coupons are also welcome. For more information, email info@historiclewesfarmersmarket.org.
