Delaware Grocery Initiative and First State Food System Program

The Delaware Grocery Initiative and First State Food System Program sits under the Delaware Division of Small Business and funds food access work in Delaware. The 2026 cycle carried $700,000 in available support, with the Delaware Division of Small Business, the Delaware Council on Farm & Food Policy, and state legislation all part of the program’s setup. It targets food deserts and areas at risk of becoming food deserts, so the public purpose is local food access rather than general business support. Funding is granted to farmers, independent grocers, food banks, food pantries, food distributors, storage providers, transport businesses, and related food organizations. The program allows support for operating costs, capital expenses, equipment purchases, and projects that expand supply-chain capacity or coordination among community partners. Awards are not fixed in advance; the 2026 round used a scaled model similar to EDGE. The strongest applicants are Delaware-based food businesses or community organizations that can show a direct route to healthier food access and stronger distribution. The 2026 cycle closed before May 2026, awardees were announced in mid-May, and the next round is expected in early 2027. Because the program is annual and competitive, proposals that combine local supply, storage, transport, and retail capacity fit its design best.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.