The Delaware Division of Small Business has announced the availability of $700K in funding for the 2026 Delaware Grocery Initiative and the First State Food System Program.
Donor Name: Delaware Division of Small Business
State: Delaware
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/20/2026
Size of the Grant: Not Available
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The goal is to expand access to healthy foods in food deserts in Delaware and areas at risk of becoming food deserts, by providing grants and other forms of financial assistance to eligible food businesses and organizations.
To Delaware farmers; small, community and independent grocery retailers offering culturally diverse foods; food banks; food pantries; and other food supply chain businesses and organizations. Awarded funds may be used to support operations, capital expenses, equipment purchases, and other projects that expand supply chain capacity and strengthen collaboration among community partners.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible Businesses and Operations Include:
- Farmers/Food Producers: producing for supply – fruits, vegetables, animal proteins, or other food products
- Retailers: independently owned grocery stores, cooperative groceries, neighborhood markets, corner stores, restaurants, farmers markets, on-farm stores, food trucks, or farm stands
- Other Food Distributors: food pantries, food closets, faith-based organizations, soup kitchens
- Storage: food aggregation facilities, food refrigeration or freezers
- Transportation: pickup and delivery of food products
- Processing: commercial kitchens, food prep facilities, food washing or cutting facilities.
For more information, visit DDSB.
