Food Bank Farm

The five-acre Food Bank Farm consists of a propagation house, three high tunnels (large greenhouse structures), a demonstration garden, bee hives, fruit trees, and field growing space for annual crops. The farm is made possible thanks to ongoing financial support from Corteva Agriscience.

Vegetables are grown year-round using seasonal varieties that perform well in the region. The farm follows best management practices that prioritize produce quality and yield as well as environmental sustainability. The propagation house enables year-round production of healthy starter plants. In addition to their use on the farm, extra starter plants are featured in the annual Spring Plant Sale fundraiser and are also donated to local community partners and gardens.

The farm produce is sold on-site in the FBD Discover Café 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. Additionally, the produce is incorporated into the Culinary School training program, providing chefs and students the opportunity to cook with fresh and unique fruits, vegetables and herbs.

During the 2021-22 fiscal year the farm continued to make progress towards the goal of fully utilizing all available spaces on the property for growing food crops. The team created new growing plots consisting of permanent raised beds. The outdoor spaces will continue to be amended with compost annually to further improve the site’s
capabilities to grow healthy crops. Progress was also made with increasing wildlife habitat on the farm with the creation of a new wildflower swale garden. Local student and Boy Scout, Zach Denn, created the garden for the Food Bank as part of his Eagle Scout project.

The farm is maintained by three full-time employees, seasonal farm interns, and volunteers from the community. During the Summer 2022 season, the farm added two Community Farm Intern positions to assist with farm operations and create the opportunity for students to gain agricultural work experience.

For more information:

Kyle Brolis
Agricultural Programs Director
222 Lake Drive
Newark, DE 19702
kbrolis@fbd.org

The farm is located on the far side of the Food Bank. Parking is available in the front of the building.