Agriculture marketing team receives award from Food Industry Council

The Delaware Department of Agriculture's marketing team has been honored by the Delaware Food Industry Council for its work connecting farmers and grocers, including its annual marketing summit, a summer tour of Kent and Sussex county farms, and support to a produce distribution network. The department’s staff was presented with the Partnership of the Year Award at the council's banquet.

"We are honored and pleased to have our work to promote and support Delaware agriculture recognized," said Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee. "Making connections and increasing opportunity for our growers is what we do. But credit also is due to Delaware’s hardworking farmers, without whom none of this would be possible.”

The department's marketing staff - specialists Jo-Ann Walston, David M. Smith and Holly Porter - work with the state's agricultural commodity groups, farm organizations, farmers markets, on-farm markets, grocers and other retailers to increase sales opportunities for First State agricultural products. The Delaware Food Industry Council represents nearly 60 supermarkets and 9,000 store employees.

This year’s First Rate/First State Summit, which brings together growers and buyers from grocers, school districts and other retail outlets or institutions, is scheduled for Jan. 30 in Dover. Contact the Marketing Section for more information at 302-698-4500.