Bennett, Tevis to demo peach dishes at Lewes farmers’ market

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The Historic Lewes Farmers Market will run from 8 a.m. to noon at George H.P. Smith Park on Saturday, July 20, featuring the Peach Celebration at the Market. At 10 a.m. in the demo tent, there will be a peach-focused demonstration from Henry Bennett of Bennett Orchards and Southern Delaware Brewing corporate chef Dru Tevis, voted 2024 Delaware Today’s Best Desserts and winner of the national Food Network “Holiday Baking Championship.”

Bennett, a sixth-generation farmer, will talk about what it takes to grow Bennett peaches. Located in an agricultural preservation district, Bennett Orchards is recognized as one of the First State’s Century Farms. Then, Tevis will take those Bennett peaches and make a peachy recipe — peach parfaits with vanilla rice pudding.

Dru Tevis of Delaware Brewing will demonstrate a peach dessert this week at the Lewes farmers' market.

“This is always a customer-favorite market demonstration, and a tasting not to be missed!” market organizers said.

The market this week will have 36 local farmers/producers bringing the first cantaloupe and seedless watermelons of the season; along with heirloom, slicer, cherry and more varieties of tomatoes; white and yellow peaches; blueberries; blackberries; potatoes; zucchini, patty pan, summer, spaghetti and other squashes; sweet corn; shishito, bell and other peppers; green beans; pole beans; carrots; radishes; beets; arugula; Swiss chard; kale; cabbage; oysters, live crabs and hand-picked crab meat; honey; jams; mushrooms; freshly-laid eggs; chicken, beef, pork and lamb; A-2 milk, yogurt, butter and ice cream treats; fresh coffee drinks, kombucha and cold-pressed juices; fresh-baked breads, cakes, cookies, pies and pastries — including vegan and gluten-free selections — made with fruit from vendors at the market; herb, veggie and flower plants; fresh-cut herbs; and cut-flower bouquets, including zinnias, sunflowers and more.

Children’s Storytime at the Market starts at 10 a.m. under the yellow tent with volunteers reading books about farming, gardening and healthy eating. All children and their adults are welcome.

The HLFM Big Raffle continues with prizes including: the Fabu-Lewes-Feast with 12 $100 restaurant gift cards and a Private-in-Home 3-Course Chef with Wine Pairing for 10 by Lewes Oyster House’s Chef Sean Corea. Tickets are on sale at the market, and the drawing is Aug. 31.

On Saturday, Aug. 3, the HLFM will hold its annual Tomato Festival, where everyone can bring their largest home-grown tomatoes for the Biggest Tomato at the Market contest, enter the Guess the Number of Tomatoes in the Jar for a prize for the closest guess, a 10 a.m. demonstration from Kindle restaurant, and more. On Saturday, Aug. 17, Kid’s Day at the Market returns — this year with a new, unique chance for kids to pet two bottle lambs from Brittingham Farms — as well as a special Children’s Storytime, market demonstration, and kid’s activities and games throughout the market.

In the event of inclement weather, the market moves to the Lewes Elementary School parking lot, at 820 Savannah Road.

The HLFM website www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org lists all vendors, their contact information, and whether they take pre-orders. For pre-orders, the customer may pick up at the vendor tent in the market. The market accepts SNAP, WIC and SFMNP benefits, and continues to match SNAP up to $20 per market, per customer. Go to the SNAP tent to process SNAP/EBT.

The HLFM continues its Food Pantry Purchase Program. HLFM customers who want to help feed the local community may purchase local produce, meats, milk, and other food from growers at the market to donate to this program every Saturday. At the end of the market, the produce and other foods are gathered and given to food pantries including Epworth and Casa San Francisco.

Parking is limited, so customers should walk or bike to the market if they are able. The circle in front of the Fred Thomas Building at the foot of Dupont will be open for accessible drop-off and pick-up, with some spots available for accessible parking only. With the addition of new sidewalks to George H.P. Smith Park, one of the best places to park is in the main parking lot at the Lewes Elementary School (where the market moves if it rains) at 820 Savannah Road.

The HLFM Wednesday Market at Crooked Hammock Brewery is open from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday Market vendors include Bennett Orchards, Cosmic Dog Farm, Davidson’s Exotic Mushrooms, Dittmar Family Farms, Dream Catcher Homestead, Kalmar Farm, Mayhems Confections, Old World Breads, the Point Coffee House & Bakery, Shady Meadow Farms, Stag Run Farm and Summer Moments Floral.

For more information, go to www.HistoricLewesFarmersMarket.org.