Historic Lewes Farmers Market celebrates National Farmers Market Week
The Historic Lewes Farmers Market joins farmers markets across the country in celebrating National Farmers Market Week, Aug. 3-9.
National Farmers Market Week is an annual celebration of farmers markets proclaimed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and coordinated by the Farmers Market Coalition, a membership-based nonprofit organization that supports farmers markets nationwide through training, technical assistance, and network building. Each year, FMC’s National Farmers Market Week Campaign highlights the vital role farmers markets play within this nation’s local food systems. For more than 50 years, farmers markets have influenced the way Americans eat, shop, and connect to their food, their farmers, and one another. Farmers markets are more than marketplaces; they are places where neighbors learn, grow, and work together.
The Historic Lewes Farmers Market, celebrating its 20th season this year, currently hosts 40 farmers and producers selling a wide variety of products, where customers connect directly with the farmer who grew the produce and raised the animals to buy their local fruit, veggies, eggs, and meats. In its mission to support farmers and feed the community, the HLFM provides farmers scholarships, is the only southern Delaware farmers market that accepts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits - offering an additional $20 match to SNAP customers as well - and manages multiple programs connecting farmers to local area food pantries to prevent food waste and help combat food insecurity.
“Across the country, farmers markets are defining their role in our communities,” said Willa Sheikh, executive director of the Farmers Market Coalition. “Markets are designed in partnership with the people they serve and are a place where market operators, farmers, shoppers, and neighbors can collaborate to meet the evolving needs of their community. As we look to the future, farmers markets will play a key part, as they always have, in leading efforts to adapt, respond, innovate, and advocate for our local food systems. National Farmers Market Week is a chance to celebrate all the ways farmers markets show up for us!”
The State of Delaware, Office of the Governor, presented a proclamation July 5, of congratulating the Historic Lewes Farmers Market on the occasion of its 20th anniversary.
Gov. Matthew Meyer congratulated the HLFM for being a “vibrant community hub,” stating that the market “is more than just a place to buy fresh produce, it is a cornerstone of our community, supporting our local economy and fostering connections between residents and the hardworking individuals who feed us.”
Join in the celebration as the Historic Lewes Farmers Market continues its 20th market season, 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays at George H.P. Smith Park and 8 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesdays at Crooked Hammock Brewery.
For more information go to HistoricLewesFarmersMarket.org.
