Markell praises local produce growth
Noting the strength of Delaware's family farms, Gov. Jack Markell joined farmers and grocers July 11 in celebrating growth in selling locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables across the state.
Joined by Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Austin Short, Kenny Family ShopRites of Delaware CEO Chris Kenny, and farmer Cindy Filasky at the ShopRite at Christina Crossing, Markell said partnerships such as the ones ShopRite forges with farmers are important to the health and vitality of Delaware citizens.
"Our family farms are an important driver of our state's economy, with $1.2 billion in sales and creating tens of thousands of jobs," Markell said. "The delicious fresh produce they grow is a nutritional backbone of our families' meals, providing healthy, delicious, locally grown food. Whether we buy sweet corn at the grocery store or peaches directly from a farm stand, all Delawareans are reaping the benefits of their hard work."
Under the Markell administration, the Department of Agriculture works year-round with a variety of initiatives to connect farmers with buyers such as grocery stores and restaurants. The Departments of State and Agriculture have partnered to help farmers sell more products internationally, including Canada. All 19 public school districts buy products from Delaware farmers. And direct-to-consumer sales from farmers markets and farm stands are on the rise.
"Family is at the heart of what we do. As a family-owned business, we work every day to connect Delaware farmers with Delaware families," said Chris Kenny. "Promoting local foods is a passion for us, and we appreciate the support from Gov. Markell and the team at the Department of Agriculture in our partnerships with Delaware farmers."
"We strive daily to expand the volume and variety of local produce that Delaware families can buy in our stores," said Melissa Kenny, Kenny Family ShopRite director of sales and marketing and Chris Kenny's sister. "Our customers really respond positively to buying local, fresh, delicious foods. Our relationships with local farmers allow us to bring the fruits of their labor directly to Delaware shoppers."
July 11-15 marked the second annual Local Produce Week in Delaware. Supporting the work of Delaware's 2,400 family farmers is critical to the Department of Agriculture's mission, said Austin Short.
"From raising chickens to harvesting watermelons, our farmers are the hardest-working in the country," Short said. "It is an honor to be able to help them grow, create jobs, and feed our state, nation and world."
More than 240 Delaware farms grow fruits and vegetables; there are 40,000 acres of land in produce, up 9 percent from 2007, according to the U.S. Census of Agriculture. Two of Delaware's largest fresh produce crops are sweet corn (more than 70 farms on 9,500 acres) and watermelon (more than 70 farms on 2,600 acres). More than 40 farms grow strawberries, and there are more than 160 acres of apple orchards and 230 acres of peach trees. Delaware's largest vegetable crop by acreage is lima beans, grown for frozen processing on more than 12,000 acres.
