The Historic Lewes Farmers Market kicked off its 20th season May 3, with its most successful opening day in market history at George H.P. Smith Park, attracting nearly 2,500 customers.

Delaware Department of Agriculture Secretary Don Clifton cut the ribbon at 7:30 a.m. alongside several local dignitaries, and the cowbells rang at 8 a.m. to officially open the market.

“We had an incredible opening day to kick off our special 20th market season,” said Eleanor Shue, HLFM executive director. “It was wonderful to see our community of friends and farmers reconnecting and celebrating the market’s return.”

Joining Clifton at the ribbon-cutting were Jane Gruenebaum, Sussex County Council District 3; Lewes Mayor-elect Amy Marasco; Lewes Deputy Mayor Khalil Saliba; Nikko Brady, Gov. Matt Meyer’s deputy chief of staff for climate, food systems and planning; and Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes. Also at the ringing-in were Joe Elder and Tim Ritzert, Lewes City Council members.

The market boasted 36 local farmers and producers offering a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, eggs, breads and pastries, jams, honey, cold-pressed juices, kombucha, coffee, beef, pork, chicken, lamb, seafood, mushrooms, flowers, plants and more. New vendors included Anya’s Homestead, Caribe Locavore Farm and Story Hill Farm, and new to the Saturday market were Cosmic Dog Farm, Dream Catcher Homestead and The Juice Club, formerly Jun & Juice. 

Heirloom owner Meghan Lee and other folks from the Lewes restaurant presented a chef demonstration featuring produce from several market vendors, including spring mix and baby turnips from Cosmic Dog Farm, radishes from Dittmar Family Farms, strawberries and asparagus from Fifer’s and mushrooms from Davidson Exotic Mushrooms.

In addition to giving local farmers and producers a platform to sell their goods and awarding more than $38,000 in scholarships to emerging farmers since 2007, the HLFM is rooted in giving back to the community and helping to fight hunger. Each year, it donates more than $30,000 worth of market produce to local food pantries.

Shoppers who want to help feed the community can purchase local produce, meats and other food to donate to the Food Pantry Purchase Program every Saturday.

The market also accepts SNAP, WIC and SFMNP benefits and matches up to $20 in federal SNAP benefits per SNAP customer, per market. According to HLFM’s Cathie Rosenfeld, folks can use the SNAP funds and matching money for any food product, including food-bearing plants.

“We encourage people to use their money here, because if they come to both the Saturday and the Wednesday markets, they can increase their benefits by $40,” Rosenfeld said. 

The opening day for the HLFM Wednesday Market will be Wednesday, June 4, at 8 a.m. at Crooked Hammock Brewery.

No dogs or pets, with the exception of service animals, are permitted within the markets.

Customers are encouraged to bike or walk to the markets if possible. Saturday market parking is available in the main parking lot at Lewes Elementary School, as well as the Beebe Healthcare outside parking lot. The circle in front of the Fred Thomas Building at the foot of Dupont Avenue is also open during the market for accessible drop-off and pickup, with some spots available for accessible parking only.

For more information and the full list of vendors, visit historiclewesfarmersmarket.org.