Corteva Agriscience Donates $125,000 to Food Bank of Delaware Farm
August 30, 2021
Corteva Agriscience presented a $125,000 donation to the Food Bank of Delaware last week. The donation will help fund operations of the Food Bank’s 5-acre farm in Newark.
The Food Bank Farm consists of a propagation house for starting plants from seeds, three high tunnels, a demonstration garden, bee hives and field growing space. Vegetables are grown year round using seasonal varieties that perform well in the region. Tomatoes, peppers, egg plants, herbs, cucumbers, zucchini, squash and more are growing on the farm this summer.
“We are grateful for Corteva’s support of our farm,” said Food Bank of Delaware President and CEO Cathy Kanefsky. “This generous donation enables us to continue to expand our growing capabilities so we can provide fresh produce to our community through both sales and donations. This year, our farm team added a third high tunnel, increased ground growing space and planted a fruit tree orchard. None of this would be possible without Corteva.”
“Corteva Agriscience is proud to support the Food Bank of Delaware to provide hunger-relief programs,” said Henri Moore, Corteva Agriscience Global Responsibility Leader. “We are committed to addressing food security issues on both a global and local scale. Our local communities are the heart of our company, and we applaud the Food Bank of Delaware for all they do for those in need.”
The Food Bank Farm has been in operation since 2018. Produce grown is sold on-site at the Food Bank of Delaware’s farm stand throughout the year. It is also distributed through the farm’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) membership program and through the on-site Healthy Pantry Center. Produce is also incorporated into the Delaware Food Works culinary training program, providing hands-on experience for the students. Vegetable plants started from seed in the propagation house are also donated to local food pantry community gardens and neighbors in need through the Food Bank’s Healthy Pantry Center.
Volunteers are critical to the operation of the farm. Typical tasks include planting, watering, weeding, harvesting, washing and packing produce, and more. For more information about the Food Bank Farm or to sign up to volunteer, please visit www.fbd.org/food-bank-farm.