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 30 plus 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, wellness providers, and sustainable agriculture experts. Best of all, the market is a place where every Saturday and Wednesday mornings 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. We have two locations in Lewes, Delaware. Our Saturday market is located in the heart of Lewes, Delaware, and our Wednesday Market is also located in Lewes, near Route 1.
What is the HLFM Epworth Food Pantry Program?
The Historic Lewes Farmers (HLFM) partners with the Epworth United Methodist Church Food Pantry. HLFM customers who want to help feed the local community with fresh local food may purchase produce, meats, milk, and other food from growers at the Market to donate to the Epworth program every Saturday. It’s so easy–all you have to do is let the vendor know what you want to donate or give $5, $10, $25 to the vendor and ask them to put together a selection for Epworth. You can also pre-order for Epworth from HLFM vendors that take pre-orders. At the end of the Market, the produce and other foods are gathered and picked up by Epworth volunteers. We thank you for your generosity, and if you have any questions, please contact us: info@
What is the HLFM Gleaning Program?
The HLFM gleans (collects donations of extra produce) from the vendors at the end of each Saturday 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. Over the past 13 years, this program resulted in donations of over $55,000 worth of fresh local food to Casa San Francisco.
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 an email to info@historiclewesfarmersmarket.org.