Historic Lewes Farmers Market opens at George H.P. Smith Park May 1
The Historic Lewes Farmers Market celebrates the opening of its 16th season from 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 1, at George H.P. Smith Park at the corner of Dupont and Johnson avenues. (The market moves to Shields School parking lot at Sussex Drive and Savannah Road if it rains.)
The good news is there is no longer the one-way flow COVID protocol. After entering the market, customers may now visit any vendor in the market and walk in any direction in the market. However, everyone in the market must still wear face masks and maintain six feet social distancing. Hand sanitizer and a handwashing station will be located at the entrance to the market in the circle in front of the Fred Thomas Building at the foot of Dupont. This circle will also be open for handicap drop-off and pick-up. Beebe Healthcare is generously allowing market customers to park in its outside parking lots. Go to historiclewesfarmersmarket.org to see where parking is located and to view vendor maps for the market.
There are a number of new vendors at the market this year, including Derby Mill Farm, a first-generation flower and herb farm located in Kent County. They grow sustainably (no chemicals, pesticides, or tilling), and use regenerative agricultural methods to tend to their soil. They will offer a variety of vegetable, herb, and flower starts, fresh-cut flowers and herbs, and much more.
Well-loved local favorite The Station on Kings is also joining the market this season. At the market, customers will find their greatest hits from their pastry and bread offerings, as well as savory grab-and-go items, and beverages. (Customers are asked not to eat or drink inside the market.)
A new heritage pork vendor, Enoch Farms, will offer naturally grown, sustainably raised pork. They’ll have thick cut chops, roasts, scrapple, ribs, breakfast sausage, ham steaks, bacon, ground pork, and a variety of sausage links including bratwurst and sweet Italian grillers.
302 Aquaponics joins the Saturday market after a successful 2020 season in the HLFM Wednesday Crooked Hammock Market and Fall Market at Shields Elementary School. Small batch kombucha maker, Federal Brewing Company, also joins the Saturday market. Chinky Salt Oyster Company is back with bags of oysters and clams from the Chincoteague Bay, and Honey Bee Lake Apiary is back with honey and honey products.
A number of the market vendors take pre-orders. The HLFM website lists all vendors, their contact information, and whether or not they take pre-orders. For pre-orders, the customer may pick up at the vendor tent in the market.
The market’s weekly newsletter lists featured items from vendors. To receive the newsletter customers should go to info@historiclewesfarmersmarket.org and ask to be added to the list.
The market processes SNAP, WIC, and SFMNP, and continues to match SNAP up to $20 per market, per customer. Go to the SNAP tent to process SNAP/EBT.
The HLFM continues its partnership with Epworth United Methodist Church Food Pantry. HLFM customers who want to help feed the local community may purchase local produce, meats, milk, and other food from growers at the market to donate to the Epworth program every Saturday. At the end of the market, the produce and other foods are gathered and given to Epworth.
The Market thanks The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group, 2021 HLFM Market Champion, for continued support of the market. They also appreciate everyone for helping keep the market healthy and safe in 2021!
Consistent with its mission, the HLFM is committed to supporting farmers who grow local fruits and vegetables -- a real farmers market that is producer-only.
More information about the market is available at historiclewesfarmersmarket.org.
