Lewes farmers market to host tomato festival Aug. 3

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market Tomato Festival is set for 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 3, at George H.P. Smith Park, kicking off National Farmers Market Week.

If it rains, the market moves to the Lewes Elementary School parking lot at 820 Savannah Road.

Kindle owner and Executive Chef Ian Crandall, along with Sous Chef Dan Redd, will present three tomato recipes in the demo tent at 10 a.m. Using tomatoes, herbs and other ingredients from around the market, they will prepare a no-cook tomato sauce served with chévre over fresh flatbread, a tomato carpaccio with arugula and a tangy caper dressing, and a freshly squeezed tomato mocktail.

Cherry and slicer tomatoes, both heirloom and hybrid, will be available in abundance, and many vendors will bring special Tomato Festival items. Customers are encouraged to dress up in tomato costumes or just wear red.

All who grow their own tomatoes are welcome to enter the Biggest Tomato at Market Contest from 8 to 9 a.m. by bringing best specimens to the Tomato Festival Tent. Tomatoes may be heirloom or hybrid and must be edible. The largest tomato will be selected by weight as determined by the judges. The variety of each tomato must be identified on the entry form along with contact information. All tomatoes must be washed and clean. The winners and all entries will be displayed with grower’s name at the Tomato Festival Tent in the middle of the market next to the info tent.

The Guess the Number of Tomatoes in the Jar Contest also takes place from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Tomato Festival Tent. The winner will be announced at 11:15 a.m. and will receive a $100 Kindle restaurant gift certificate donated by the business.

Customers will also find eggplants, figs, cherries, cantaloupes, watermelons, peaches, plums, nectarines, sweet corn, potatoes, green beans, squash, kale, cabbage, radishes, Swiss chard, oysters, live crabs, hand-picked crab meat, honey, jams, mushrooms, fresh-laid eggs, chicken, beef, pork, lamb, A-2 milk, yogurt, butter, ice cream treats, kombucha, cold-pressed juices, herb, veggie and flower plants, cut-flower bouquets, and fresh-baked breads, cakes, cookies, pies and pastries – including vegan and gluten-free selections – made with fruit from market vendors.

The popular children’s story time, sponsored by Heirloom, continues weekly at 10 a.m. under the yellow tent. Volunteers read books about farming, gardening and healthy eating; all children and their adults are welcome.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market is producer-only, so customers are able to buy directly from the farmers who grew the produce.

Patrons should note that dogs and other pets (except for service animals) are no longer permitted inside the market area, in order to ensure the safety of customers, vendors and volunteers. Customers may still walk their dogs around the other paths and parts of George H.P. Smith Park.

The HLFM Big Raffle returns with two customer-favorite prizes: the Fabu-Lewes-Feast including a dozen $100 restaurant gift cards, and a private, in-home, three-course dinner with wine pairing for 10 by Chef Sean Corea. Tickets are on sale at the Saturday market, and the drawing will be held Saturday, Aug. 31.

For a list of all vendors, their contact information and whether they take preorders, go to historiclewesfarmersmarket.org. Customers will pick up preorders at the vendor tent in the market.

The market processes payments from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and Women, Infants and Children Program benefits, and continues to match SNAP up to $20 per market, per customer. Customers may go to the SNAP tent to process SNAP/EBT.

The HLFM continues its food pantry purchase program. Market customers who want to help feed the local community may purchase local produce, meats, milk and other food from market vendors to donate to this program every Saturday. At the end of the market, the produce and other foods are gathered and given to local food pantries.

Go to historiclewesfarmersmarket.org to see parking and vendor information with maps. The market’s weekly newsletter lists demos and more; email info@historiclewesfarmersmarket.org or call 302-644-1436 to be added to the list.

Parking is limited, so customers should walk or bike to the venue if they are able. HLFM organizers ask customers to drive and park carefully, watching for children, walkers and bikers.

The HLFM Wednesday Market at Crooked Hammock Brewery is open for the season from 8 to 11:30 a.m., every week. The market thanks the Lee Ann Wilkinson Group, 2024 HLFM Market Champion, and all other sponsors for their continued support.