Delaware · 153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) · Bill
SB 53: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 3 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DELAWARE FARM TO COMMUNITY PROGRAM.
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
SB 53 is a bill introduced in the Delaware Senate on May 19, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 3 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DELAWARE FARM TO COMMUNITY PROGRAM. Primary sponsor: Gerald Hocker (Republican), Russ Huxtable (Democratic), Bill Carson (Democratic), Ron Gray (Republican). It lists 10 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (September 16, 2026): Signed by Governor.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
This Act codifies the Delaware Farm and Food Council’s Farm to Community Program as a state-led initiative called the Delaware Farm to Community Program. The Farm to Community Program launched in 2023 under the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement (LFPA). In 2 ½ growing seasons, the Farm to Community Program has effectively expanded the purchasing power of community outlets to procure local food products from local farmers and distribute the food products to individuals in need or facing food insecurity in Delaware’s urban and rural communities. Through this model, currently, 31 local farmers supply more than 100 varieties of fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy products to 9 community outlets that serve 105 food distribution sites. The USDA canceled LFPA funding in 2025. Codifying the Farm to Community Program ensures continuity, strengthens Delaware’s food system infrastructure, increases availability of fresh and healthy seasonal foods, and increases the economic viability of local farmers, particularly small and medium-scale farmers.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 8 · Republican 6
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerald Hocker | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 20 |
| Russ Huxtable | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 6 |
| Bill Carson | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 28 |
| Ron Gray | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 38 |
| Alonna Berry | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 20 |
| Debra Heffernan | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 6 |
| Kyra Hoffner | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 14 |
| Kendra Johnson | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 5 |
| Larry Lambert | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 7 |
| Dave Lawson | Co-sponsor | Republican | Senate | 15 |
| Brian Pettyjohn | Co-sponsor | Republican | Senate | 19 |
| Marie Pinkney | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 13 |
| Dave Wilson | Co-sponsor | Republican | Senate | 18 |
| Lyndon Yearick | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 34 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Signed by Governor
- Passed By House. Votes: 40 YES 1 ABSENT
- Reported Out of Committee (Agriculture) in House with 6 Favorable, 3 On Its Merits
- Assigned to Agriculture Committee in House
- Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT
- Reported Out of Committee (Agriculture) in Senate with 6 Favorable
- Introduced and Assigned to Agriculture Committee in Senate