Nearly $665,900 has been awarded to 12 projects through the First State Food System Program, the Department of Agriculture announced Monday.

The initiative, managed by the Delaware Council on Farm and Food Policy, strengthens the food system by supporting the broad supply spectrum.

Projects funded for the second cycle include:

• Bennett Orchards — wind machine freeze protection to mitigate climate change effects and strengthen fruit supply.
• Marvelous Produce — to strengthen its fruit and vegetable supply chain from farm to end-user.
• Powers Farm — farm store expansion.
• Food Bank of Delaware — phase two of its compact membrane produce preservation.
• Fifer’s — to aid its farm-to-table kitchen.
• Dittmar Family Farms — vegetable-processing and cold-storage expansion (also includes storage and distribution).
• D&J Custom Cutting — to assist in its ready-to-eat meat processing.
• T.A. Farms — supporting its value-added products.
• Love-in-Deed Community Development — aiding its food closet and urban garden project.
• La Red Health Center — Sussex County Community Fridge Program.
• The Teach a Person to Fish Society — Milton Community Food Pantry garden beds.
• Wilmington Alliance’s Growing West Center City program — 7th & West Streets Community Garden.

Since the First State Food System Program began in 2022, nearly $350,000 has been awarded to projects addressing food access and approximately $500,000 to efforts improving processing capacity.

For information, visit farmandfood.delaware.gov.