Sea level rise talk, seniors’ day set at Lewes farmers market Sept. 23
The Historic Lewes Farmers Market will ring the bell at 8 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 23, to open at George H. P. Smith Park at Dupont and Johnson avenues in historic downtown Lewes. In all, 35 vendors are at market selling fresh ginger, eggplants, tomatoes, pears, apples, sweet corn, pumpkins, cucumbers, beets, radishes, potatoes, sweet potatoes, zucchini, kale, carrots, squash, beef-pork-lamb, artisanal cheeses, baked goods, local honey, fresh-cut flowers, and chicken and duck eggs.
The market provides a veggie valet service to help customers carry bags and melons to their cars. This service is right outside the HLFM Information Tent. This Saturday there are two exciting events at the market.
The Seniors Over 55 Day at the Market was rained out Aug. 12, so it has been rescheduled for this Saturday. From 8:30 to 11 a.m. there's a scavenger hunt for seniors. Prizes are gift certificates from market vendors. Free healthcare screenings with Beebe Healthcare nurses will be available from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Also at 9 a.m., there will be free bocce ball lessons for seniors in the park. The drawing for scavenger hunt prizes happens at 11:15 a.m. Ticket holders do not have to be present to win.
At 10 a.m. in the demonstration tent, professor Jack Gallagher of the University of Delaware's College of Earth, Ocean and Environment will discuss Sea Level Rise: Coping with a Salty Future for Coastal Farms. He will present a suite of salt marsh and dune plants that have evolved tolerances to flooding and salt. These few grasses, herbs, succulents, shrubs and trees can be planted in place of traditional crops. They provide products including food, feed, fiber, bedding, cat litter and landscape materials, as well as ecological services, such as buffering between natural and man-made landscapes, and wastewater treatment.
The market offers the SNAP (EBT Food Stamps) program. To help lower economic barriers to local, healthy food, the market matches up to $20 each participant each week with HLFM Bonus Bucks. SNAP participants are encouraged to come to the SNAP tent at the market to pick up the bonus $20. In addition to SNAP, the Historic Lewes Farmers Market welcomes participants in Delaware's Women, Infants and Children program. WIC coupons can be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at the market.
The market is open from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday. Ample parking can be found at the Shields Elementary School and Lewes School parking lots at the intersection of Savannah Road and Sussex Drive, a short walk to the market.
For more information, go to www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org or call 302-644-1436. In case of inclement weather, the market moves to Shields Elementary School parking lot.
