Historic Lewes Farmers Marketsociety
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE HLFM IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION COMMITTED TO NURTURING A VIBRANT LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM IN DELMARVA THAT IS SUSTAINABLE AND SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE. WE BRING TOGETHER OUR COMMUNITY AND FARMERS THAT GROW OUR FOOD. WE BUILD DELIVERY NETWORKS THAT CONNECT LOCAL GROWERS TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH OUR PRODUCER-ONLY FARMERS MARKETS AND OTHER FOOD ACCESS PROGRAMS. WE FOCUS ON EMPOWERING EMERGING FARMERS AND EDUCATING OUR COMMUNITY ON THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING LOCAL FARMLAND. OUR GOAL IS AN EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM THAT INCREASES HEALTHY FOOD ACCESS, REDUCES FOOD WASTE, AND BENEFITS OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
- Income
- $537,604
- Spending
- $563,523
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 9.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 43%
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 165
- Highest pay
- $15,950, board member
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 14% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (5)
- $261,935 spent. FIRST ACCOMPLISHMENT: FARMERS MARKET: IN 2025, THE HLFM (HISTORIC LEWES FARMERS MARKET) CONTINUED TO OPERATE TWO FARMERS MARKETS IN LEWES, ONE EVERY SATURDAY FROM MAY TO DECEMBER AND ONE EVERY WEDNESDAY FROM JUNE-SEPTEMBER. THESE MARKETS PROVIDE AN ACCESSIBLE, FAMILY-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY GATHERING PLACE WHERE CONSUMERS MAY PURCHASE THE FRESHEST LOCAL FOODS AVAILABLE DIRECTLY FROM LOCAL PRODUCERS. CONSUMERS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN DIRECTLY FROM THE FARMER HOW THEIR FOOD IS GROWN/RAISED, AND ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE IN TERMS OF NUTRITIONAL VALUE. THE MARKET ALSO GIVES SMALL, LOCAL FARMERS/PRODUCERS AN OUTLET FOR THEIR PRODUCTS AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH EACH OTHER AND WITH THE HLFM MARKET TEAM TO SHARE IDEAS AND LEARN BEST PRACTICES ON ORGANIC AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND DIRECT MARKETING. THE HLFM ORGANIZES WEEKLY DEMONSTRATIONS PROVIDED BY LOCAL CHEFS, FARMERS, MASTER GARDENERS AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS DESIGNED TO EDUCATE CONSUMERS ABOUT HEALTHY LIFESTYLES, COOKING TECHNIQUES AND HEALTHY RECIPES. ALSO, AS PART OF THE MARKET, THE HLFM ORGANIZES A GLEANING PROGRAM WHERE THEY TAKE DONATIONS OF EXTRA PRODUCE FROM VENDORS AT THE END OF EACH MARKET, ORGANIZE THE PRODUCE, AND DONATE IT TO CASA SAN FRANCISCO IN MILTON, DE, A CHARITY WHICH RUNS A SOUP KITCHEN AS PART OF ITS MISSION. THE HLFM IS RECOGNIZED FOR ITS EXPERTISE IN SUPPORTING LOCAL FARMING, SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE, AND FARMERS MARKET MANAGEMENT. IN 2018, HLFM PUBLISHED CREATING A FARMERS MARKET LIVING LAB: LESSONS LEARNED IN GROWING A FARMERS MARKET, WHICH WAS THE RESULT OF A 2-YEAR STUDY CONDUCTED BY HLFM WITH FUNDING FROM THE USDA. HLFM SHARED THE FINDINGS FROM THIS STUDY WITH FARMERS MARKET ORGANIZATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AND EUROPE BY PRESENTING AT CONFERENCES AND CONTINUES TO PROVIDE COPIES OF THE FINAL PUBLICATION. FIRST ACCOMPLISHMENT: FARMERS MARKET: IN 2025, THE HLFM (HISTORIC LEWES FARMERS MARKET) CONTINUED TO OPERATE TWO FARMERS MARKETS IN LEWES, ONE EVERY SATURDAY FROM MAY TO DECEMBER AND ONE EVERY WEDNESDAY FROM JUNE-SEPTEMBER. THESE MARKETS PROVIDE AN ACCESSIBLE, FAMILY-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY GATHERING PLACE WHERE CONSUMERS MAY PURCHASE THE FRESHEST LOCAL FOODS AVAILABLE DIRECTLY FROM LOCAL PRODUCERS. CONSUMERS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN DIRECTLY FROM THE FARMER HOW THEIR FOOD IS GROWN/RAISED, AND ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE IN TERMS OF NUTRITIONAL VALUE. THE MARKET ALSO GIVES SMALL, LOCAL FARMERS/PRODUCERS AN OUTLET FOR THEIR PRODUCTS AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH EACH OTHER AND WITH THE HLFM MARKET TEAM TO SHARE IDEAS AND LEARN BEST PRACTICES ON ORGANIC AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND DIRECT MARKETING. THE HLFM ORGANIZES WEEKLY DEMONSTRATIONS PROVIDED BY LOCAL CHEFS, FARMERS, MASTER GARDENERS AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS DESIGNED TO EDUCATE CONSUMERS ABOUT HEALTHY LIFESTYLES, COOKING TECHNIQUES AND HEALTHY RECIPES. ALSO, AS PART OF THE MARKET, THE HLFM ORGANIZES A GLEANING PROGRAM WHERE THEY TAKE DONATIONS OF EXTRA PRODUCE FROM VENDORS AT THE END OF EACH MARKET, ORGANIZE THE PRODUCE, AND DONATE IT TO CASA SAN FRANCISCO IN MILTON, DE, A CHARITY WHICH RUNS A SOUP KITCHEN AS PART OF ITS MISSION. THE HLFM IS RECOGNIZED FOR ITS EXPERTISE IN SUPPORTING LOCAL FARMING, SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE, AND FARMERS MARKET MANAGEMENT. IN 2018, HLFM PUBLISHED CREATING A FARMERS MARKET LIVING LAB: LESSONS LEARNED IN GROWING A FARMERS MARKET, WHICH WAS THE RESULT OF A 2-YEAR STUDY CONDUCTED BY HLFM WITH FUNDING FROM THE USDA. HLFM SHARED THE FINDINGS FROM THIS STUDY WITH FARMERS MARKET ORGANIZATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AND EUROPE BY PRESENTING AT CONFERENCES AND CONTINUES TO PROVIDE COPIES OF THE FINAL PUBLICATION.
- $3,060 spent. SECOND ACCOMPLISHMENT: FARMER SCHOLARSHIPS: THE HLFM AWARDED SEVEN SCHOLARSHIPS TOTALING 3,060 TO SMALL DELMARVA FARMERS IN 2025, ENABLING THEM TO ATTEND SUSTAINABLE FARMING CONFERENCES, INCLUDING THE FUTURE HARVEST CASA ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND THE PASA SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE CONFERENCE. THESE CONFERENCES DRAW FARMERS INTERESTED IN EDUCATION ABOUT SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PRACTICES FROM A BROAD SECTION OF THE EAST COAST, MID-ATLANTIC, AND THE SOUTH WITH SIMILAR GROWING CONDITIONS TO THE DELMARVA.
- $8,803 spent. THIRD ACCOMPLISHMENTHLFM FOOD ACCESS PROGRAMS SNAP/EBT: THE HLFM PROVIDES ACCESS TO HEALTHY LOCAL FOOD FOR LOW-INCOME OR UNDERSERVED LOCAL RESIDENTS BY COORDINATING VENDOR PARTICIPATION IN ACCEPTING SNAP (SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM) EBT AT THE MARKET. THE HLFM ALSO PROVIDES MATCHING DOLLARS TO HELP SNAP RECIPIENTS STRETCH THEIR DOLLARS TO PURCHASE LOCAL, FRESH, NUTRITIOUS FOODS. THE HISTORIC LEWES FARMERS MARKET MATCHES UP TO 20 IN TOKENS FOR SNAP/EBT USED AT THE MARKET. THIS 20 MATCH IS FOR EVERY SNAP CUSTOMER, EVERY MARKET. THE HISTORIC LEWES FARMERS MARKET ALSO DOES OUTREACH TO LET SNAP PARTICIPANTS KNOW ABOUT THE HEALTHY FOOD THAT CAN BE PURCHASED WITH THE MATCH AT THE HLFM MARKETS
- $200,434 spent. FOOD PANTRY PURCHASE PROGRAM: THIS PROGRAM BENEFITS BOTH LOCAL SMALL FAMILY FARMS AND LOW-INCOME LOCAL RESIDENTS. THE MARKET PROVIDES FUNDS TO PAY THE SMALL FARMERS IN THE MARKET TO SUPPLY FRESH LOCAL FOOD WHICH IS DONATED TO A LARGE, LOCAL FOOD PANTRY RUN BY THE EPWORTH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN REHOBOTH BEACH, DELAWARE. BOTH THE FARMERS AND THOSE WITHOUT ACCESS TO FRESH LOCAL PRODUCE, DAIRY, AND MEAT, BENEFIT. IN 2025, THE HLFM PROCURED 23,992 WORTH OF FOOD FOR THE EPWORTH FOOD PANTRY THROUGH THIS PROGRAM AT THE SATURDAY MARKET, INCLUDING DIRECTLY PURCHASING 14,150 OF FRESH LOCAL FOOD FROM FARMERS, AND THANKS TO A 10,000 GRANT FROM THE CARL M. FREEMAN FOUNDATION. FARM TO COMMUNITY PROGRAM: IN 2023, THE HISTORIC LEWES FARMERS MARKET WAS CHOSEN AS THE SUSSEX COUNTY PARTNER BY THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE IN THE LOCAL FOOD PURCHASE ASSISTANCE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT PROGRAM CALLED FARM TO COMMUNITY. AS THE SUSSEX COUNTY PROJECT PARTNER IN THIS TWO-YEAR PILOT PROGRAM, THE HISTORIC LEWES FARMERS MARKET RECEIVED A SUBAWARD OF 420,000 TO PROCURE, AGGREGATE, AND DISTRIBUTE PRODUCE, MEAT, EGGS, AND DAIRY FROM DELAWARE SMALL FARMERS AND OTHER LOCAL SOURCES TO FOOD PANTRIES ACROSS SUSSEX COUNTY. SMALL FARMERS IN DELAWARE TYPICALLY HAVE LIMITED CAPITAL AND RESOURCES, LIMITED ACREAGE, CAPACITY, AND PRODUCTION VOLUME TO COMPETE IN MAINSTREAM MARKET OUTLETS, LIMITED MARKETING, AND PROMOTIONAL RESOURCES TO MAINTAIN A CONSISTENT CUSTOMER BASE. MEANWHILE, SMALL FARMERS PRODUCE A WIDE VARIETY OF FRUITS, VEGETABLES, AND OTHER FOOD PRODUCTS EACH HARVEST SEASON THAT THEY SELL AT LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS AND ROADSIDE FARM STANDS. THIS PILOT PROJECT EXPANDS THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR SMALL SCALE FARMERS TO GAIN ENTRY INTO ADDITIONAL MARKET OUTLETS AND INSTITUTIONS, BY DEVELOPING A COOPERATIVE STRUCTURE FOCUSED ON MARKETING AND PROMOTION; AND INITIATES A PROCUREMENT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FARMERS AND DISTRIBUTION OUTLETS SERVING URBAN AND RURAL COMMUNITIES IN THE STATE. IN 2024, THE HLFM WAS AWARDED AN ADDITIONAL 300,000 TO EXPAND THE PROGRAM INTO KENT COUNTY, DE. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS VERSION OF THE PROGRAM ENDED IN JULY 2025 WITH THE TERMINATION OF FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ALL PROJECTS LIKE THIS NATIONWIDE. HOWEVER, THE HISTORIC LEWES FARMERS MARKET RECEIVED FUNDING FROM THE STATE OF DELAWARE FOR AN ADDITIONAL YEAR OF THE FARM TO COMMUNITY PROGRAM THAT WILL ALLOW FOR THE CONTINUATION OF FRESH FOOD PURCHASES FROM SMALL FAMILY FARMS FOR COLLECTION FOR PANTRIES THROUGH AUGUST OF 2026. THE HLFM RECEIVED 112,500 IN 2025 FOR THE FIRST TRANCHE OF STATE FUNDS FOR THIS PROGRAM. THE HLFM CONTINUES MANAGING THE PROCUREMENT, AGGREGATION, AND DISTRIBUTION OF FRESH FOOD FROM 18 LOCAL FARMERS TO SUPPLY FRESH PRODUCE, EGGS, DAIRY, AND MEATS TO 18 SUSSEX AND KENT COUNTY FOOD PANTRIES, FEEDING OVER 6,000 PEOPLE IN NEED WEEKLY. IN 2025, THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF FOOD DELIVERED TO THOSE IN NEED WAS 185,670.
- FOOD PANTRY PURCHASE PROGRAM: THIS PROGRAM BENEFITS BOTH LOCAL SMALL FAMILY FARMS AND LOW-INCOME LOCAL RESIDENTS. THE MARKET PROVIDES FUNDS TO PAY THE SMALL FARMERS IN THE MARKET TO SUPPLY FRESH LOCAL FOOD WHICH IS DONATED TO A LARGE, LOCAL FOOD PANTRY RUN BY THE EPWORTH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN REHOBOTH BEACH, DELAWARE. BOTH THE FARMERS AND THOSE WITHOUT ACCESS TO FRESH LOCAL PRODUCE, DAIRY, AND MEAT, BENEFIT. IN 2025, THE HLFM PROCURED 23,992 WORTH OF FOOD FOR THE EPWORTH FOOD PANTRY THROUGH THIS PROGRAM AT THE SATURDAY MARKET, INCLUDING DIRECTLY PURCHASING 14,150 OF FRESH LOCAL FOOD FROM FARMERS, AND THANKS TO A 10,000 GRANT FROM THE CARL M. FREEMAN FOUNDATION. FARM TO COMMUNITY PROGRAM: IN 2023, THE HISTORIC LEWES FARMERS MARKET WAS CHOSEN AS THE SUSSEX COUNTY PARTNER BY THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE IN THE LOCAL FOOD PURCHASE ASSISTANCE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT PROGRAM CALLED FARM TO COMMUNITY. AS THE SUSSEX COUNTY PROJECT PARTNER IN THIS TWO-YEAR PILOT PROGRAM, THE HISTORIC LEWES FARMERS MARKET RECEIVED A SUBAWARD OF 420,000 TO PROCURE, AGGREGATE, AND DISTRIBUTE PRODUCE, MEAT, EGGS, AND DAIRY FROM DELAWARE SMALL FARMERS AND OTHER LOCAL SOURCES TO FOOD PANTRIES ACROSS SUSSEX COUNTY. SMALL FARMERS IN DELAWARE TYPICALLY HAVE LIMITED CAPITAL AND RESOURCES, LIMITED ACREAGE, CAPACITY, AND PRODUCTION VOLUME TO COMPETE IN MAINSTREAM MARKET OUTLETS, LIMITED MARKETING, AND PROMOTIONAL RESOURCES TO MAINTAIN A CONSISTENT CUSTOMER BASE. MEANWHILE, SMALL FARMERS PRODUCE A WIDE VARIETY OF FRUITS, VEGETABLES, AND OTHER FOOD PRODUCTS EACH HARVEST SEASON THAT THEY SELL AT LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS AND ROADSIDE FARM STANDS. THIS PILOT PROJECT EXPANDS THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR SMALL SCALE FARMERS TO GAIN ENTRY INTO ADDITIONAL MARKET OUTLETS AND INSTITUTIONS, BY DEVELOPING A COOPERATIVE STRUCTURE FOCUSED ON MARKETING AND PROMOTION; AND INITIATES A PROCUREMENT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FARMERS AND DISTRIBUTION OUTLETS SERVING URBAN AND RURAL COMMUNITIES IN THE STATE. IN 2024, THE HLFM WAS AWARDED AN ADDITIONAL 300,000 TO EXPAND THE PROGRAM INTO KENT COUNTY, DE. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS VERSION OF THE PROGRAM ENDED IN JULY 2025 WITH THE TERMINATION OF FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ALL PROJECTS LIKE THIS NATIONWIDE. HOWEVER, THE HISTORIC LEWES FARMERS MARKET RECEIVED FUNDING FROM THE STATE OF DELAWARE FOR AN ADDITIONAL YEAR OF THE FARM TO COMMUNITY PROGRAM THAT WILL ALLOW FOR THE CONTINUATION OF FRESH FOOD PURCHASES FROM SMALL FAMILY FARMS FOR COLLECTION FOR PANTRIES THROUGH AUGUST OF 2026. THE HLFM RECEIVED 112,500 IN 2025 FOR THE FIRST TRANCHE OF STATE FUNDS FOR THIS PROGRAM. THE HLFM CONTINUES MANAGING THE PROCUREMENT, AGGREGATION, AND DISTRIBUTION OF FRESH FOOD FROM 18 LOCAL FARMERS TO SUPPLY FRESH PRODUCE, EGGS, DAIRY, AND MEATS TO 18 SUSSEX AND KENT COUNTY FOOD PANTRIES, FEEDING OVER 6,000 PEOPLE IN NEED WEEKLY. IN 2025, THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF FOOD DELIVERED TO THOSE IN NEED WAS 185,670.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 2007.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
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