This Saturday, Nov. 18, is the last day of the Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) for the 2023 season. On Saturday, the HLFM is holding an extra Food & Essentials Drive at the market to supplement two food pantries — Epworth UMC in Rehoboth Beach and Casa San Francisco in Milton.
“There are a lot of folks in need — many are homeless — and the HLFM hopes to fill the pantries for a few weeks with this extra Food Drive,” organizers said.
The food pantries requested certain non-perishables, including spaghetti sauce, pasta, peanut butter, jams and jellies, canned fruits/vegetables/soups, boxed cereal, powdered or shelf-stable milk, rice and beans.
“Please honor the HLFM’s mission and the health needs of folk who use the food pantries by providing healthy foods,” they requested.
Diapers, menstrual hygiene products and laundry detergent are also badly needed.
Pantries are always looking for fresh produce, meat, eggs and dairy, so customers are also being urged to purchase fresh food at the market for this Food Drive and drop them off at the HLFM Food Drive table near the HLFM Information Tent. Shelf-stable items may be dropped off at the same table or at the entrance from Savannah Road or the bus parking lot.
It is also the last Saturday to purchase yams, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, rapini, collard greens, persimmons, oysters, crabmeat, fresh sage sausage for stuffing, mushrooms, pies and all the fixins’ for Thanksgiving. Dittmar Family Farms and Mahon River Farm will not only have pre-ordered turkeys for pick-up, but also extra turkeys for sale until they run out. Mahon River Farm will also have some boneless skinless turkey breast and turkey legs quarters — come early for these. There are also apples, and market offerings using fall ingredients such as apple and pear jellies, jams and chutneys, soups, fresh juices, kombucha, apple cider, apple cider doughnuts and pastries. It’s also time to buy free-range chicken, beef and pork to freeze for the winter.
The HLFM plans to open the 2024 Saturday Market on May 4 at George H.P. Smith Park.
Parking is limited, so customers should walk or bike to the market if able. For those who must drive to the market, there is parking in the school bus parking lot, including accessible parking. There is also parking on Savannah Road and Sussex Drive.
The HLFM website www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org lists all vendors, their contact information, and whether or not they take pre-orders. For pre-orders, the customer may pick up at the vendor tent in the market. Customers can sign up to receive the market’s newsletter on the HLFM website. The market’s newsletters list demos, what each farmer/producer is bringing to each Saturday market, upcoming events and more. It is a way to stay in touch with the market for news about delivery/pick-up from market farmers/producers over the winter and more. Customers may also email [email protected] and ask to be added to the list.
The Market accepts SNAP and matches up to $20 per market, per customer. Go to the SNAP tent to process SNAP/EBT.