Lewes Farmers Market opens for eighth season May 11

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market kicks off its eighth season Saturday, May 11. The market is open from 8 a.m. to noon on the grounds of the Lewes Historical Society at 110 Shipcarpenter St. at the corner of West Third and Shipcarpenter streets. The HLFM is the largest producer-only market in Delaware and has again been named Best Farmers Market by Delaware Today.

Delaware Agriculture Secretary Ed Kee, Lewes Mayor Jim Ford and members of the Lewes City Council will ring the opening bell at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 11 has also been proclaimed by the City of Lewes as Historic Lewes Farmers Market Day.

The public can join fellow farmers market enthusiasts at 7:45 a.m. at the corner of Burton Avenue and Third Street for the Second Annual World’s Shortest Parade to celebrate opening day.

At the market, patrons will find most of their favorite vendors from last year offering produce, meat, chicken, lamb, dairy and more. The market also welcomes four additional vendors this season. Jimmie and Julie Reynolds operate Magnolia Bread Company. They are members of the 14th generation to operate the family farm, growing acres of soft red winter wheat for their 11 types of breads based on Maryland Colonial-era recipes, including Ancient Grain, Ten Grain, Winter Wheat, Sour Rye and Sweet Potato. The Reynolds are committed to sustainable farming, a core HLFM mission value.

Sharon Fields and Marsha Collins of Good News Natural Foods will entice HLFM patrons with a large selection of prepared healthy foods. An array of gluten-free and vegetarian salads, soups and desserts prepared with local and organic ingredients will be available.

Josh and Toni Thompson of Tappahanna Farm raise woodlot-pastured, acorn-fed Heritage and Berkshire pork with no antibiotics, hormones or vaccines. They will have an array of cuts, from smoked bacon to sweet Italian links. Soon they will also have free-range Freedom Ranger broiler chickens fed only certified organic, locally milled feed. Christie McDowell of The Good Farm will bring naturally grown heirloom vegetables, including unusual and rare varieties and species, along with semi-wild and recently cultivated edibles.

The HLFM will again offer its informative and entertaining market demonstration program. It features guest chefs preparing delicious dishes using fresh food available at the market, as well as informative lectures and demonstrations on topics from sustainable agricultural methods to growing flowers to recycling.

The opening-day demonstration features The Buttery’s Executive Pastry Chef Rebecca Williams sharing the secret to making miniature quiches for entertaining with ease. Using many ingredients available at the market, Williams will prepare an assortment of quiches filled with herbs, cheeses and vegetables. She knows local ingredients; she was born and raised in Lewes. She holds an associate of science degree from Johnson and Wales University and a bachelor of professional studies in culinary arts management from The Culinary Institute of America.

Many popular programs offered by the HLFM are back by popular demand. As part of the HLFM’s mission to educate children about healthy eating and nutrition, the Children’s Reading Program will continue with Maureen Miller, children’s librarian from Lewes Public Library. Miller will begin this year’s season at 9 a.m. in the School House by reading “One Bean” by Anne Rockwell.

New this year, the market will process Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program electronic benefit transfer food stamps. To help lower economic barriers to local, healthy food, the HLFM will match up to $10 with HLFM Bonus Bucks. SNAP participants are encouraged to go to the SNAP Information Tent at the market to redeem the Bonus Bucks incentive.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market has adopted a policy that pets (with the exception of service animals) are not permitted at the market. Market patrons have expressed their support for the policy. The HLFM thanks all for their understanding and support of this necessary policy.

More information about the market is available at www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org.