Historic Lewes Farmers Market opens May 2 for its 21st season

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market, recently chosen 8th Best Farmers Market in America, will celebrate the milestone opening of its 21st market season Saturday, May 2, at George H.P. Smith Park at the corner of Dupont and Johnson Avenues. Customers can join in the celebration to ring in the new season at 8 a.m.

In case of inclement weather, the market moves to the Lewes Elementary School parking lot, 820 Savannah Road.

At the market, 37 local farmers and producers will bring the best fresh veggies, fruit, eggs, breads and pastries, jams, honey, cold-pressed juices, kombucha, coffee, beef, pork, chicken, lamb, seafood, mushrooms, cut flowers, plants and much more.

The Heirloom restaurant team will offer a chef demonstration at 10 a.m., highlighting the fresh, in-season offerings found around the market. Heirloom is a true farm-to-table restaurant, and for years, owner Meghan Lee has worked with local small farmers to bring the best seasonal ingredients to her customers.

The summer Saturday market welcomes more new vendors this season! Customers will see beautiful lettuces from Bittersweet Hydroponic Farm in Millsboro, where farmers Rob Conner and Bill Jordan grow high-quality greens with strong nutrient content and reliable flavor. G’s DElights, founded by mother-daughter team Raelynn and Michelle Grogan in Lewes, works closely with regional farmers to transform locally grown products into vibrant, freeze-dried snacks.

Dr. Lorna Graham of Grahams Farm and Produce will travel from Princess Anne, Md., to bring her fresh, seasonal vegetables like kale, mustard greens, pak choi, turnips, and more to market each week. Hudson Blooms owners Lisa and JJ Hudson focus on soil health while growing both flowers and vegetables for the market. In addition to their blooms and veggies, they will also offer fresh, pasture-raised eggs from their happy, healthy hens.

Welcoming a familiar face, customers can visit Carol Cross of Cross Farms, who brings fresh veggie offerings and farm eggs to the Saturday market after previously being a vendor for the Wednesday and fall markets. 

The HLFM is producer-only, so customers are able to buy directly from the farmers who grow the produce.

Patrons should note that dogs and other pets (except for service animals) are not permitted inside the market area, in order to ensure the safety of customers, vendors and volunteers.

Organizers encourage customers to bike or walk to market if able. The circle in front of the Fred Thomas Building at the foot of DuPont Avenue will be open for accessible drop-off and pickup, with some spots available for handicap-accessible parking only. The best place customers can park is at the main Lewes Elementary lot at 820 Savannah Road, with just a short walk down a path to the park. Beebe Healthcare also allows market customers to park in its outside lot.

For a list of all vendors, their contact information and whether they take preorders, go to historiclewesfarmersmarket.org. Customers will pick up preorders at the vendor tent in the market.

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.

The HLFM continues its food pantry purchase program. Market customers who want to help feed the local community may purchase local produce, meat and other food from growers at the market to donate to this program every Saturday. At the end of the market, the produce and other foods are gathered and given to local food pantries.

Go to historiclewesfarmersmarket.org to see vendor information with maps. The market’s weekly newsletter lists demos and more; email info@historiclewesfarmersmarket.org to ask to be added to the list.

The market thanks The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group, 2026 HLFM Market Champion, and all sponsors for their continuing support.

The HLFM Wednesday Market at Crooked Hammock Brewery will begin its season June 3, and customers will find all of their favorites and more as vendors offer produce, meats, eggs, baked goods and flowers.