Market to conclude with food drive and Thanksgiving shopping
The Historic Lewes Farmers Market will host its season closing day from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 23, at Lewes Elementary School parking lot, 820 Savannah Road.
To support pantries at Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Beach and Casa San Francisco in Milton, an extra food and essentials drive is being held.
The food pantries request certain nonperishables including spaghetti sauce, pasta, peanut butter, jams and jellies, canned fruits/vegetables/soups, boxed cereal, powdered or shelf-stable milk, rice and beans. Shoppers are asked to honor the HLFM's mission and the needs of people who use the food pantries by providing healthy foods. Diapers, menstrual hygiene products and laundry detergent are also badly needed, and can be dropped off at the HLFM food drive table next to the information tent.
Patrons are encouraged to include kids and grandchildren in supporting the community and giving to the food drive. Any child who brings a donation to the food drive table will get a free fruit or veggie temporary tattoo.
So customers can stock up for Thanksgiving, farmers and producers will bring local Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, acorn squash, butternut squash, collard greens, kale, broccoli, carrots, turnips, lettuces, endive, pears, apples, cider, oysters, live crabs, hand-picked crab meat, crab soup, seasonal soups, honey, jams, mushrooms, chicken, beef, pork, turkey, lamb, fresh-laid eggs, locally roasted coffee and coffee drinks, kombucha, fresh-baked breads, cakes, apple cider donuts, cookies, pies, and pastries – including vegan and gluten-free selections – made with fruit from market vendors, along with flower bouquets, wreaths and more. Patrons can also pick up their preordered fresh, free-range Thanksgiving turkeys from Mahon River Farm.
The HLFM is producer-only, so customers are able to buy directly from the farmers who grew the produce.
Patrons should note that dogs and other pets (except for service animals) are no longer permitted inside the market area, in order to ensure the safety of customers, vendors and volunteers.
Parking is limited, so customers should walk or bike to the venue if they are able. HLFM organizers ask customers to drive and park carefully, watching for children, walkers and bikers. Street parking is no longer allowed along much of Sussex Drive. Walkers and bikers will enter off Savannah Road. Limited parking is available in the school's bus loop parking lot off Sussex Drive. Customers may also use the Fred Thomas Middle School parking lot, Beebe Healthcare’s outside parking, and the spaces at George H.P. Smith Park, a short walk away on the new path to Lewes Elementary.
The market processes payments from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and Women, Infants and Children Program benefits, and continues to match SNAP up to $20 per market, per customer. Customers may go to the SNAP tent to process SNAP/EBT.
Go to historiclewesfarmersmarket.org to see parking and vendor information, including whether they take preorders, along with maps. Customers will pick up preorders at the vendor tent in the market.
The HLFM thanks The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group, 2024 HLFM Market Champion, for its continued support.
