DOVER, Del. - Gov. Matt Meyer on Tuesday announced the expansion of Delaware’s Farm to Processing program, an initiative aimed at increasing access to locally grown food, creating new markets for Delaware farmers and expanding workforce training opportunities for incarcerated people preparing to reenter their communities.
Meyer announced the next phase of the program during a visit to the Sussex Community Corrections Center, where he toured the facility’s food processing operation.
According to the governor’s office, program partners plan to expand processing capacity at the Sussex Community Corrections Center and implement the model at additional Department of Correction facilities to create a statewide network for food processing, cold storage and food distribution.
According to the governor’s office, the expansion will increase processing quantities, expand the program to additional Department of Correction facilities and add freezing capacity to preserve seasonal produce for use in school and child nutrition programs throughout the year.
The program is a partnership involving the Delaware Farm & Food Council, the Delaware Department of Correction, the Delaware Department of Education and the Seaford Boys & Girls Club.
According to the governor’s office, the Farm to Processing program builds on the Delaware Farm & Food Council’s Farm to School, Farm to Community, Farm to Pharmacy and Farm to Store initiatives by providing light processing, including washing and cutting fresh produce. The program is intended to help schools, childcare centers, summer meal programs and other institutions purchase locally grown foods that are ready for use.
Under the program, child nutrition providers work with the Delaware Farm & Food Council to identify locally sourced menu items. Delaware farmers deliver produce to the Sussex Community Corrections Center for processing before participating organizations pick up the washed and cut products for use in meals.
The governor’s office said the program also creates workforce development opportunities by providing incarcerated participants with practical skills and experience in food handling, processing, packaging and logistics to support employment after release.
State officials said the expansion builds on a pilot program that began in April 2026.
According to the governor’s office, Department of Correction staff and participants have processed about 5,200 pounds of Delaware-grown produce, including asparagus, strawberries, broccoli, cauliflower and cantaloupe. The governor’s office said the Boys & Girls Club of Delaware has invested more than $6,800 in locally grown agricultural products through the program, increasing meal production capacity from about 500 servings per week to more than 1,600 servings per week while reducing food preparation demands.
The governor’s office also announced that the Seaford School District is finalizing plans to join the program as an additional child nutrition partner beginning in fall 2026.
According to the governor’s office, program partners plan to expand processing capacity at the Sussex Community Corrections Center and implement the model at additional Department of Correction facilities to create a statewide network for food processing, cold storage and food distribution.
