The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) celebrates the beginning of its 15th season on Saturday, May 30.
The market this year is very different than last year’s market. Due to Covid-19, the emphasis has shifted to ensuring safe access to fresh foods, and the market for the foreseeable future won’t be the social venue everyone loves. The HLFM is following the Delaware Department of Agriculture Farmers Markets Protocols to help keep everyone safe. This means no demos, no tastings, no lingering, one-direction through the market, masks, 6 feet social distancing, and more. (Please see customer protocols below.) This Saturday, due to expected rain, the Market will be located at Shields Elementary School Parking lot (Savannah Road and Sussex Drive). The one entrance to the Market when at Shields is at the school parking lot entrance on Shields Avenue in front of the school. There will be a hand-washing station at the school, and a volunteer will also be at the entrance with hand sanitizer spray. Lewes School (across the street from Shields), its parking lot, and playing fields are closed for construction. Beebe Hospital is generously allowing market customers to park in its outside parking lots. Please go to www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org to see where parking is located, and to view Vendor Maps for both Shields Elementary School and George H.P. Smith Park.
A number of the market vendors now take pre-orders. 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 will pick up at the vendor tent in the market and walk around the market path to the exit. The market suggests that customers who pre-order come later in the day when there is less volume.
The market’s weekly newsletter lists featured items from vendors. To receive the newsletter customers should go to info@historiclewesfarmersmarket.org and ask to be added to the list.
Processing of SNAP, WIC, and SFMNP coupons will begin on June 6. The Market will continue to match SNAP up to $20 per market, per customer.
MARKET RULES FOR CUSTOMERS (Delaware Department of Agriculture)
Do not come to the Market if you have symptoms related to Covid-19
Cover your face:Â You must wear a face covering to enter the market.
Wait your turn:Â No more than 2 customers per vender at a time.
Maximum of 2 people per household allowed in the market.
Social Distancing:Â Maintain at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and everyone else at the Market.
Electronic Payment: Use credit cards when you can. Follow vendor instructions carefully.
No touching: Do not touch market items. Tell vendor the item you wish to purchase, and the vendor will bag items for you.
No doubling back: The market is one-way; you must move continuously through Market.
No lingering or congregating: Spend as little time as possible with each vendor for flow of customers through the Market.
Pre-order as much as you can: Many of our vendors can now take pre-orders. Consult HLFM newsletter, Facebook page and website for information on how to pre-order with them. Pick up from them at the Market.
No pets (service animals permitted): this is a State rule for farmers markets at this time
Wash your produce:Â At home, wipe down any packaging with anti-viral solution. Wash your produce with water.
Thank you for helping keep the Market community safe!
–Sharon Dardine, Historic Lewes Farmers Market