Lewes Farmers' Market -

While at the beach this weekend for our annual sister’s weekend, we made it a priority to stop by the Lewes Farmers’ Market on Saturday.

While I’ve been to Lewes several times before, I had a different goal in mind for this visit: I wanted to understand the community. I find myself aiming toward this goal in my travels now–it’s not just about the new destination, it’s about listening, watching, finding the rhythm, the values, the real core of what is right in front of me. My interests in traveling have evolved so much over time (I’m working on a longer post with this…it’s a good one), and my weekend trip to Lewes is no different.

Here’s what I learned:

This is one of the main streets in Lewes. It features brick sidewalks, small mom and pop-type stores with people inside them who will answer your questions, talk to you in an non-rushed manner while there’s a long line behind you (which I love), and will treat you like a real person, instead of another mindless consumer.

{one thing I’d love to see in a small town like this is no room for parking, only walking. I have big dreams for my beautiful small town!}

As we made our way to the Farmers’ Market, I noticed small signs like these everywhere. I also noticed community-type boards in all the windows, advertising everything from babysitting and dog-sitting services to local food celebrations, to upcoming musical performances.

The dude told us to go this way. Must respect the dude.

Then we made it to the market. The location is beautiful, nestled underneath trees and booths placed in between some of the town’s oldest and most treasured historic buildings.

And the market was packed. Locals to weekenders to toursits alike fluttered between the booths, stopping for happy conversations with old friends. It felt like my market at home.

I loved seeing some familiar faces…Fifer Orchards!

Their blueberries looked beautiful, and they had many strawberries to offer, in conjunction with the Lewes Historical Society Strawberry Festival taking place later that same day.

Something I loved: a live demonstration cooking class! They were working with some Asian greens, and showing the gathered crowd how to use in-season produce. Can Chestertown do this??

Even though we only purchased some strawberries and chocolate milk (from our friends at Nice Farms Creamery!), we walked through and admired the bounty from each table…like this one from our new friends at Greenbranch (thanks to Lyndsey for telling us to stop by!).

We spent a few moments just taking it all in…the sights, sounds, the relaxed atmosphere. This is why I shop at Farmers’ Markets almost exclusively in the spring-fall: not only do you get to see where your food is coming from and who grows it, you get to commune with neighbors, friends, and there are no carts, there’s no standing in long checkout lines (well…except maybe the first day asparagus is offered in the spring…there are always lines then!), and there’s less hurriedness.

The environment is so relaxing that you can actually take your time to check out the great items, instead of just mindlessly tossing boxes and cans into a cart. I love this.

My absolute favorite stop was this booth…cookies! {and check out her cupcake apron. LOVE.}

We spent a couple minutes chatting with these girls, and of course walked away with a couple of cookies the size of my face.

One thing I love to do at Farmers’ Markets when I have to make a choice between products is ask the person in the booth which is their favorite. I always pick that one. If it’s their favorite, and they know the product inside and out, it must be awesome, right?

Attending the weekly Farmers’ Market was a great way to get to know the town of Lewes (and the surrounding areas). From an outside perspective, Lewes values their unique history, the people (as evidenced by the small non-chain shops and restaurants, the large market, the many window advertisements promoting local individual talents), and their location on the water.

After our market adventures, we stopped by the Cake Bar and Notting Hill Coffee for coffee and breakfast. Two must-visit local places!

Lewes Farmers’ Market

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