Delaware opens round of grants to strengthen local food systems

The Delaware Division of Small Business (DSB) and the Delaware Council on Farm & Food Policy have opened the application window for the fourth round of the First State Food System Program, also known as the Delaware Grocery Initiative.

The program, which launched its latest cycle on May 5, 2025, aims to expand access to healthy and culturally diverse foods in areas of the state that are considered food deserts or are at risk of becoming so.

Grants of up to $12,500 are available to a wide range of eligible applicants, including farmers, small grocery stores, and food-related organizations that contribute to the state’s food supply chain.

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Priority will be given to projects that focus on food aggregation, cold storage, or transportation—three key areas that can significantly improve food access and resilience in local communities.

Food security is critical for every Delawarean, and this program allows us to invest directly in the people and infrastructure that keep our food system strong.

To qualify as a small to mid-sized producer, farmers must have annual sales of at least $20,000 and produce no more than 300 acres of fruits, vegetables, specialty crops, or other food products for human consumption.

All funded projects must be completed by December 31, 2025, and the deadline to apply is 4 p.m. on Friday, May 30.

Since its inception in 2022, the program has awarded over $1.9 million in grants to 39 projects across Delaware.

The initiative not only delivers direct financial support to businesses and nonprofits in both rural and urban communities but also helps policymakers gain insight into the state’s evolving food landscape.

Applications and more details can be found here.