Meyer creates farm and food policy advisory group

Gov. Matt Meyer issued his fifth executive order Jan. 28, establishing an advisory group on farm and food policy.

The Delaware Council on Farm and Food Policy would be made up of at least 11 members from the government sector, with four representatives from the food retail and distribution industry.

The council will manage the Delaware Food Resource Connection, created in 2021 to collect data on food resources, and to promote consumer access to Delaware-grown food.

An annual Farm and Food Planning and Networking Seminar will be hosted by the council to support collaboration about feeding Delaware communities.

Under budget priorities, the order states the council should coordinate “efforts to secure federal grants related to food access before such grant proposals are submitted for approval by the Delaware State Clearinghouse.”

In a week that saw a federal funding freeze followed by President Trump rescinding it, Meyer had issued a statement opposing cutting off federal funds.

“By President Trump cutting off funding to critical programs, his administration jeopardized the livelihoods of thousands of Delawareans, making it even more difficult to access food, housing, healthcare and child care assistance. While I am heartened by the actions of U.S. District Judge AliKhan for pausing this unprecedented freeze of federal funds, we still must be vigilant,” he wrote.

Meyer said he has launched an online portal at de.gov/federalfunding where residents can share how they would be affected by a funding freeze.