Cape Gazette columnist Clemons to appear at Lewes farmers market July 20

Omnivores, carnivores, vegetarians and vegans all will find their favorites at the Historic Lewes Farmers Market this week from 8 a.m. to noon. This Saturday, June 20, the market will be held at the Lewes Historical Society, 110 Shipcarpenter St., at the corner of Shipcarpenter and West Third streets.

The featured demonstration this week is Denise Clemons, whose Cape Flavors column appears each Friday in the Cape Gazette. Clemons will show market patrons how to prepare lower-calorie potato salad with fingerlings, onions, herbs and yogurt and a pasta primavera salad featuring produce and cheese, all from market vendors.

Prior to the demonstration, younger patrons can learn the joys of healthy eating from Maureen Miller, children’s librarian at Lewes Public Library, at the Children’s Reading Program. Miller will read "Oliver’s Vegetables" by Vivian French. In this delightful tale, the children encounter Oliver, who refuses to eat anything but chips! Oliver’s grandfather has other ideas, though, and he and Oliver play a game - whatever vegetable Oliver finds in the garden, Oliver must eat. Monday, Oliver finds carrots; Tuesday, he discovers spinach. Children will learn about good and healthy eating, as well as the days of the week, and parents may just find their children are less fussy eaters after hearing of "Oliver’s Vegetables."

This Saturday is the final chance to win 25 pounds of peaches from Bennett Orchards. Tickets for this raffle are free. Come to the HFLM Information table for the last chance at winning. The winner will be drawn at 11 a.m. on the raised brick patio by the kitchen.

The market continues the Annual Bike Raffle tradition. This year, the bike is a 2013 Electra Coaster 3i, three-speed cruiser. It is a bright green flash color, and has whitewall tires and a cushy white seat. The big bell sounds like a doorbell, and, of course, the bike comes with an easy-release basket that can be taken to market. The winning ticket will be drawn Saturday, Aug. 31. Market patrons can enter every Saturday they come to market.

Starting this year, the Market is processing SNAP (EBT food stamps). To help lower economic barriers to local healthy food, the HLFM will match up to $10 in SNAP with HLFM bonus bucks. SNAP participants are encouraged to go to the SNAP Information Tent at the market to redeem their Bonus Bucks.

This year, American Farmland Trust has a new celebration of farms. It is called I Love My Farmers Market - a celebration to raise national awareness about local farmers markets and put money directly in the pockets of family farmers. This celebration replaces the America's Favorite Farmers Market contest. The top three most celebrated markets from each state will receive special recognition. Help the HLFM be No. 1 not only in Delaware, but in the entire nation!

Throughout the celebration, market patrons simply pledge dollars they intend to spend at their local farmers markets. Pledges can be cast once a day. What is a pledge? A pledge equals a commitment to put $10 in the pockets of family farmers. The market hopes that market patrons will pledge to spend $10 per week at the Historic Lewes Farmers Market. Go to www.farmland.org and click on “I Love My Farmers Market.”

This week’s market features succulent corn on the cob, tomatoes, hen and duck eggs, beets - the list goes on and on. Pair this fresh from the field produce with savory meats, chicken, pork and/or seafood, just baked bread, and a pie for dessert, and the menu is complete. The market’s wide variety of vendors offers produce, meat, chicken, lamb, dairy products, and many other agricultural offerings.

Specific types and varieties of fresh meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, flowers, and plants are listed by vendor in the HLFM newsletter sent to patrons on the first Thursday of the month during the market season, and on the HLFM Facebook page. Newsletters the remainder of the month will highlight featured vendors and selected produce. The newsletter is also posted on their Facebook page.

To receive the HLFM newsletter, email the HLFM at historiclewesfarmersmarket@comcast.net and be added to the HLFM subscription list.