The Historic Lewes Farmers Market has been selected as a 2026 Governor’s Volunteer Service Group Award recipient.

Each year, Volunteer Delaware honors an organization whose collective volunteer efforts have contributed to meaningful and measurable community impact.

Through the awards, volunteer teams are celebrated for their service in uplifting communities, strengthening organizations, inspiring others to get involved, and demonstrating exceptional leadership and commitment to helping others across the state.

A nonprofit organization, the HLFM focuses on empowering emerging farmers and educating the community on the importance of preserving local farmland. For more than 20 years, the market has been an integral community gathering place in Lewes, bringing together individuals with a shared passion for fresh, local food and the farmers that grow it.

Since its founding, the market has only been made possible through the dedication of its volunteers. The HLFM has 200 active volunteers. In 2025, HLFM volunteers clocked in more than 6,700 hours.

Many volunteers have been with the HLFM for more than 10 or 15 years, and a few have volunteered since the very first market 21 years ago. At the same time, HLFM actively recruits new volunteers each season, bringing more passionate people into this strong, engaged community.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market proudly shares this award recognition with all of the volunteers who make the efforts of the organization possible. Each Saturday market requires 30-40 volunteers for setup, customer service, food-access support, chef demonstration assistance, and operational logistics like directing parking lot traffic and counting customers to help track the volume of visitors. Volunteers also contribute beyond market days through committee work, distributing posters around Lewes, attending annual training, and assisting in fundraising events throughout the year.

The Delaware State Office of Volunteerism will celebrate the awards honorees during a statewide ceremony hosted by Gov. Matt Meyer in June.