Holiday farmers market set Dec. 6 in Lewes

Historic Lewes Farmers Market will hold its final gathering of the 20th anniversary season from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6, at Lewes Elementary School parking lot, 820 Savannah Road.

In celebration of 20 successful years, the market is asking patrons to donate $20 to support the purchase of fresh produce, meats, bread and eggs for its food pantry program. Patrons may also buy the food directly from market growers to donate. The HLFM thanks its customers for their continuing generosity.

Shoppers will find carrots, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, squashes, beets, cabbage, collard greens, kale, radishes, red potatoes, sweet potatoes, lettuces, apples, turnips, mizuna, arugula, spinach, microgreens, kohlrabi, seasonal soups, hand-picked crabmeat, grass-fed chicken, beef, pork, mushrooms, honey, jams and jellies, fresh-laid eggs, coffee drinks, kombucha, cold-pressed juices, apple cider, fresh-baked breads, pastries made with fruit from market farmers, gluten-free offerings, festive wreaths and much more. 

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

The market typically processes payments from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and Women, Infants and Children Program benefits. The market will provide all customers who have a SNAP card $20 in HLFM Bonus Bucks tokens to spend at the market, without the need for a match with their benefits.

Customers may go to the SNAP tent inside the market for volunteers to process remaining SNAP/EBT benefits and give $20 in HLFM Bonus Bucks tokens for use at the market. Customers must present their SNAP card at the tent to receive the tokens.

In the SNAP tent, customers can also find a list of 17 local-area food pantries that receive food from small farmers through the HLFM Farm to Community Program for additional assistance. Pantry names, addresses, phone numbers and hours will be provided on the list.

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 the market if able; the entrance for walkers and bikers is off Savannah Road. Parking is available in the school's bus loop parking lot off Sussex Drive, with coned-off accessible parking spaces in the section closest to the market. Customers may also use the Fred Thomas Middle School parking lot. Beebe Healthcare generously allows market customers to park in its outside parking lot, and there is parking available at George H.P. Smith Park, a short walk away along the path to Lewes Elementary School.

For more information, go to historiclewesfarmersmarket.org.