Meyer signs Delaware Farm to Community Program into law
Frankford, Del. – On Wednesday, next to the fruit trees at the Bennett Family Orchard, Gov. Matt Meyer joined legislators, state officials, nonprofits and members of the Bennett family to sign bipartisan legislation they say will benefit not only farmers but all Delawareans.
“This bill is about supporting farmers, supporting our local food system, and feeding all Delawareans,” Meyer said. “When we support Delaware farmers, we’re supporting much more than agriculture. We’re supporting local business jobs, land preservation, rural communities, and a more resilient Delaware economy.”
Senate Bill 53 makes the Delaware Farm to Community Program permanent in state law. The Delaware Farm to Community Program began in 2023 as a pilot program. The program connects local farmers with community organizations that purchase and distribute fresh food to Delawareans. Supporters have described the program as a win-win.
“Folks, the cheapest thing we can do is keep our farmers farming and keep it profitable for our farmers to stay on the farm,” bill sponsor Sen. Gerald Hocker (R-District 20) said.
Aimee Beam is the director of the After School Snack Program (ASSP) at the Delaware Department of Education and a member of the Delaware Farm and Food Council. She said the program will benefit growers, distributors and consumers by fostering access to more locally grown food.
“Simply put, the more food we grow, process, distribute, and consume close to home, the stronger our state becomes,” she said.
Farmer Henry Bennett says the legislation will give his family and other farming families more tools to face future challenges amid extreme weather—and help all Delawareans benefit from the nutrition of fresh produce.
“It’s a win-win. We’re proud to be Delawareans. We’re even prouder to be Delaware farmers,” he said.
Bennett also said he was glad to see the program codified into law to lessen statewide reliance on importing produce.
“Because at the end of the day, food security is domestic security,” he said. “So anything we can do to lessen our reliance on imported fruits and vegetables while strengthening our farms is a win-win, and I think Republicans and Democrats alike can agree on that.”
He said the legislation provides a way not only to support current Delaware farmers, but also those future generations of farmers. Bennett’s own family has been farming for six generations.
“To have this outlet for our fruit and the security going forward is very important for perennial fruit crop growers like ourselves because we’re looking decades, generations ahead with planning, and this allows us to do so,” he said.
