New Delaware bill fighting food insecurity

DELAWARE – Delaware lawmakers this week advanced a bill meant to fight food insecurity in the first state.

Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 254 would establish the Delaware Grocery Initiative, providing financial assistance to local food resources with the intention of expanding access to fresh, healthy food for residents in underserved communities.

Delaware State Senator Darius Brown said food insecurity is a problem that reaches every corner of the state, and a lack of access to affordable nutrition has wide-ranging health implications for many: “[This bill] really addresses many of the health concerns that we have in our state around obesity and diabetes, we really have to be able to get fresh produce into the hands of residents.”

The bill would establish the Delaware Grocery Initiative under the state’s Division of Small Business, providing access to capital and operating funds for grocers and non-profits alike.
Chad Robinson, Vice President of External Affairs for the Food Bank of Delaware, said it could be a rising tide that benefits many under-served communities. “We could, in essence, apply for funding through the grant program, if appropriated, and be able to lift up food pantries and food closets as well,” said Robinson.

Another major focus of the bill is supporting the current–and future–diversity of Delaware. Senator Brown said that by 2050, Delaware will be a majority minority state: “You see many ethnic grocers that are entering into this grocery sector of business in our Hispanic community, and our Caribbean community, and our African community.”

As much as anything, the bill incentivizes business-owners to come to Delaware. For those already here, it offers the support necessary to provide fresh, nutritious food to any resident that needs it.

“The message is for grocers that are in Delaware, grocers that are in the Delmarva area: we want them to come to Delaware to help us address our food insecurity,” said Senator Brown.

Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 254 had bipartisan support, passing unanimously in the senate this week. Senator Brown attributed that support to the fact that every single senate district in the state faces these same issues of food insecurity.

The bill now moves to house of representatives, where it has been assigned to the Health & Human Development Committee.