Ag department awards grants for projects to improve food supply chain

The Delaware Department of Agriculture announced it is awarding $665,872 in funding to 12 projects through the First State Food System Program.

Managed by the Delaware Council on Farm and Food Policy, the program strengthens local food systems by supporting the broad food supply chain spectrum.

“We have had an outstanding response to the funding available through the First State Food System Program, demonstrating the continuing need to strengthen Delaware’s food supply chain infrastructure, and create new and expanded markets for our farmers and producers,” said Michael T. Scuse, secretary of agriculture.

The First State Food System Program is designed to highlight the interconnection of systems and processes that shape nutrition, food security, health, community development and agriculture. Since this program began in 2022, nearly $350,000 has been awarded to projects addressing community food access and approximately $500,000 to projects improving processing capacity across the state.

T.A. Farms LLC received Cycle 1 funding for its poultry revamping project. Producer Elizabeth Carter said, “We would process roughly 450 birds in about five hours with our old system. Our new system can process about 700 birds in the same amount of time. Especially during our holiday season, this allows us to process the birds efficiently, allowing for a fresher product. The beneficiaries are all the consumers looking for fresh local meat, the organizations we have donated to and our family members. Creating a physically easier work environment allows our family members to think about the future. It allows us the mindset to think long term in the meat business.”

Awards are approved to support projects in each county. Each awarded project is designed to help Delaware’s food supply chain. The planned work will focus on one or more of the following: food processing, distribution, community access and food production.

In this year’s funding for Cycle 2, 50% of projects were awarded to Delaware farms. Another 34% of the projects were awarded to community organizations focused on community development, nutrition education and food access. Many of the projects related to processing, storage and distribution include collaboration of two or more food supply chain operators.

The First State Food System Program is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act, championed by Delaware’s congressional delegation, U.S. Sens. Tom Carper and Chris Coons, along with Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester. Passed by Congress, ARPA was signed into law by President Joe Biden March 11, 2021.

Projects funded in Cycle 2 include the following: production, Bennett Orchards LLC, wind machine freeze protection to mitigate climate change effects and strengthen local fruit supply; transportation, Marvelous Produce, strengthening Delaware’s fruit and vegetable supply chain – farm to end user; markets and industry, Powers Farm, farm store expansion; and food waste, Food Bank of Delaware, compact membrane fresh produce preservation phase 2.

For processing, grants were awarded to Fifer Orchards, local food system – farm-to-table kitchen; Dittmar Family Farms LLC, vegetable processing and cold storage expansion (also includes storage and distribution); D & J Custom Cutting, ready-to-eat meat processing; and TA Farms LLC, value-added products.

A storage and distribution grant went to  Love-in-Deed Community Development, food closet capacity building and super foods urban garden project.

Community access grants were awarded to La Red Health Center, Sussex County community fridge program; Teach a Person to Fish Society, Milton pantry garden beds; and Wilmington Alliance, Growing West Center City: 7th & West Streets Community Garden.

Last year, the Historic Lewes Farmers Market received funding for its project, Strengthening the Farm to Pantry Food System in Sussex County. Nancy Staisey, HLFM volunteer, said, “Volunteers and farmers both embraced the expansion of this program. The small farms are very enthusiastic about this program, as they can sell more product while being able to feed those in need.”

The Delaware Council on Farm and Food Policy strives to facilitate and support a local food system where farmers can access viable markets, Delaware households can access nutritious and wholesome food options within their communities, and the impacts of supply chain disruptions can be diminished.