Delaware Division of Small Business (DSB) presented checks on August 10 to three organizations in Milford and, on August 3, presented a check to the Milton Food Bank as part of the Delaware Grocery Initiative & First State Food System Grant Program. The program is designed to expand access to healthy, affordable food in Delaware communities currently identified as food deserts or at risk of becoming food deserts.
A food desert is a geographic area where residents have little to no access to affordable, fresh and nutritious food. This happens in areas where low-income is prevalent as there are few large supermarkets or grocery stores, leading people to rely on fast food or small convenience stores that only sell high-calorie, processed foods. The USDA identifies a food desert as an area where low-income families live a mile or more away from a supermarket if they live in a city or more than ten miles away from one if they live in a rural area.
On August 3, DSB visited the Milton Community Food Pantry, located at 12898 Union Street in Milton, where they presented a check for $20,000. The funds are to be used to expand food distribution to include fresh food.
“This funding will support the pantry’s efforts to transition from primarily canned goods to providing more fresh food options for the neighbors we serve,” the food pantry commented on social media. “This is what community action looks like. This is an exciting step forward and demonstrates the important work happening right here in Milton.”
On August 10, DSB presented checks to the House of David, Milford Advocacy for the Homeless and the Food Bank of Delaware. House of David was awarded $20,000, Milford Advocacy for the Homeless, $18,150, while the Food Bank of Delaware received $25,000.
House of David will use the funds to expand their Milford Fresh Access Initiative, a proven food distribution system that improves access to healthy affordable food in underserved and food desert communities. The project strengthens connections between producers and residents by increasing storage, coordination and last-mile delivery capacity to ensure consistent access to fresh food.
Milford Advocacy for the Homeless plans to use the funds to purchase produce, proteins, pantry staples and culturally relevant foods to stock their Blessing Boxes and support Harvest Hub meal distribution.
“This will ensure consistent access to healthy options, especially fruits, vegetables, whole grains and ready-to-eat items that are rarely donated but critically needed by our unhoused neighbors,” Martha Gery, founder and CEO of Milford Advocacy for the Homeless said.
The Food Bank of Delaware will apply the funding to their Food Rescue Program which focuses on identified communities in western Kent and Sussex counties which are classified as food deserts.
“This grant will help us rescue and distribute more fresh food from retailers and agricultural partners,” the Food Bank announced.
The Delaware Grocery Initiative and First State Food System Program was championed by Senator Darius Brown and provides grants to expand healthy food access. Over $700,000 was awarded this year to 28 recipients that included local farmers, independent grocers, corner stores, food banks, pantries and non-profit food distribution networks. The funds can be used to for capital expenses and equipment purchases, operational and administrative costs, food transportation, logistics and last-mile delivery infrastructure
