WILMINGTON — Gov. John Carney, the Delaware Department of Agriculture and the Delaware Council on Farm and Food Policy on Thursday announced a $2 million investment to establish the First State Integrated Food System Program.

The initiative, which will be developed by the council, will help stabilize and strengthen Delaware’s small- and midsized farming operations and the local food-supply chain industry, among the hardest hit sectors during the pandemic.

Funding for this program is provided through the American Rescue Plan Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden and championed by the members of Delaware’s congressional delegation.

“The First State Integrated Food System will provide a coordinated approach to improving local access to affordable and nutritious, Delaware-produced foods while supporting Delaware farmers,” Gov. Carney said in a press release. “We know the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted small-scale food businesses and Delaware families’ access to food.

“That’s why the Council on Farm and Food Policy will work with partners to develop and administer a diverse portfolio of grants and loans to improve the availability and accessibility of local produce, animal protein, value-added products, and other foods, promoting overall economic growth here in Delaware.”

The program focuses on three main channels in the food-supply chain, including:

• Production — small and midsize farming operations.
• Processing and distribution — commercial kitchens, processing facilities, storage/hub facilities and incubators.
• Retail outlets — convenience stores, groceries/markets, restaurants, farmers markets, food trucks, food kiosks and mobile markets.

Each member of the council draws on daily experiences as part of their respective organizations and contributes expertise to conversations about food access, food policy and nutrition in Delaware.

Its primary function is to offer strategy around food that helps improve the capacities of state agencies, public officials, community members and organizations.

“This program prioritizes our food system and provides an opportunity for the state to make a strategic investment in how families access food in their communities and, at the same time, improve the resilience of the local food-supply chain,” said Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse.

“Neighboring states, like Maryland and New Jersey, have reaped the benefits of food-financing programs. The First State Integrated Food System Program will make similar opportunities available to bolster Delaware’s capacity. These efforts will go a long way in improving local access to local food,” he added.

All ARPA funds related to this program will be dispersed by December 2024.

For more information, contact Nikko Brady, the council’s executive committee member, at nikko.brady@delaware.gov.