Connecting Healthy Farms to Healthy Delawareans: A Farm and Food Report

CRESP, Delaware Department of Agriculture
January 1, 2016

In partnership with the Delaware Department of Agriculture, this report reflects conversations with more than 45 Delawareans, representing leadership from agriculture, public health, food retailers, economic development, government and civic organizations. Together leaders met to explore policy barriers and program successes and to understand the most pressing challenges and opportunities across the state of Delaware. Home to 2,500 family farms and $8 billion in economic impacts, Delaware’s thriving farming and food leaders outline in the report priorities for future collective action requiring a broad base of leadership across a variety of sectors. Among recommended actions are: 1) Establish a Delaware Farm and Food Policy Council accountable to the governor; 2) Launch a coordinated marketing campaign across multiple sectors to engage Delawareans about the benefits of agriculture’s strength to the state; 3) Pilot a local distribution intermediary to aggregate and distribute local products within Delaware; 4) Create a public-private funding source to support development of food and farming businesses in Delaware; 5) Unify engagement in planning and transportation efforts to improve state infrastructure; 6) Continue to grow and invest in a nationally recognized farm to school program by establishing a farm to school state coordinator position to promote and support additional activities; and 7) Encourage the minimization of food loss and waste by reducing, recovering, and recycling.

Keywords: Health, food, agriculture, farming, farm-to-school, nutrition

CRESP, Delaware Department of Agriculture