Shore Gourmet expands to Delaware
Story Location:
Dewey Beach, DE 19971
United States
A Maryland-based specialty foods business is expanding to Delaware, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture is assisting the expansion. USDA Rural Development State Director Jack Tarburton announced Aug. 9 the USDA will issue more than $90,000 to the Mid-Shore Regional Council to support the work of Shore Gourmet.
Shore Gourmet is an enterprise of the Mid-Shore Regional Council. The company works with local farmers and food producers to increase distribution of local, quality food products. Shore Gourmet works with more than 15 food producers on Maryland's Eastern Shore.
"They serve as a community activist," Tarburton said. "Today we are pleased to announce their entry into Delaware." The grant is provided through USDA's "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" initiative, which aims to increase economic opportunities and promote regional food systems.
Tarburton made the announcement on a sunny day at Fifer's Orchards Market on Coastal Highway in Dewey Beach, one of the new Delaware locations partnering with Shore Gourmet. Based in Easton, Md., Shore Gourmet is also set to expand to Coastal Living Market in Bethany Beach and Blue Moon Restaurant in Rehoboth Beach.
Shore Gourmet Board of Directors President Brad Powers told a crowd of about 20 people about small farmers and local food producers who partnered with Shore Gourmet to expand their businesses. "A bison producer was having limited success," Powers said with a smile about S.B. Farms Bison Ranch. Now, Powers said, S.B. Farms is expanding more than 40 percent and working on production of a gourmet bison hot dog.
"What separates Shore Gourmet is our food-business network," Powers said. He said with a team of knowledgeable volunteers, "We are willing to work with you every step of the way through product development."
"We look forward to expanding the number of producers in Shore Gourmet," said Bob Stickels, representing U.S. Rep. John Carney. "Agriculture is the backbone of the industry in Sussex County."
Julie Wheatley, of Sussex County Economic Development Office, attended the event. She said Shore Gourmet's expansion to Delaware makes perfect sense. "We have the same water, same air, same issues as Maryland," she said. "They're doing awesome."
Powers encouraged food producers, food retailers and farmers in Delaware to contact Shore Gourmet. For more information, visit shoregourmet.com.
