The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a non-profit, community-based, producer-only, farmers market. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the market has expanded to 35 vendors.
What is a Community-based, Producer-Only Farmers Market and How is it Different?
A community-based, producer-only farmers market is not just another retail enterprise. It is part of a growing environmental movement pioneering ways to save the land, provide small farmers and small producers a way to stay in business, and to educate our children about the food that we eat.
In addition to fresh produce, eggs, fruits, breads, baked goods, meats, fish, cut-flowers and herbs, the HLFM features workshops by local chefs (using food from the market), master gardeners, and sustainable agriculture experts. Best of all, the market is a place where every Saturday morning from 8am to 12pm we meet our neighbors and make new friends, making our community much stronger.
People worldwide are rediscovering the benefits of buying local food. It is fresher than anything in the supermarket, and that means that it tastes great and is more nutritious. It is also good for our local economy buying directly from family farmers and producers helps them keep their land.
Why a Farmers Market in Lewes, Delaware?
There have been numerous markets in and around the Lewes area for many decades. The historic square behind King’s Ice Cream (201 Second Street) has been documented as the site of an early market. For the Fall Market, Saturdays from October 3-November 21, 2015, The Historic Lewes Farmers Market will be centrally located at Shields Elementary School parking lot (Sussex Drive and Savannah Road, Lewes, DE). We are located in the heart of Lewes, Delaware in order to encourage folk that are able to get to this market without a car. We encourage you to walk or bike to the market.
What is the HLFM Gleaning Program?
The HLFM gleans (collects donations of extra produce) from the vendors at the end of each market, organizes the produce, and donates the excess produce to Casa San Francisco in Milton, DE, a charity which runs an Emergency Shelter, a Food Cooperative and an Emergency Food Pantry. This program resulted in donations of over $8,100 worth of donated produce to Casa San Francisco in 2015.
Join Us!
The Historic Lewes Farmers Market needs volunteers. The volunteers help set up and take down the market every Saturday. They assist the chefs and others putting on market demonstrations, and, in general, help the vendors during the market hours. You don’t need to have any expertise to volunteer.
If you’re interested in spending a few hours on a Saturday between May and November, helping us at the market, or want to volunteer to help us in other ways throughout the year, please call us at 302-644-1436 or send us an email about volunteering.
