Connecting Food Resources to Communities in Delaware

A Pdf printable version of this story map for easier reading is available  here .

The coronavirus pandemic brought into sharp focus that even in “normal” times, many Delaware families are on the brink of financial distress and face food insecurity. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, food access and availability in Delaware have been severely impacted by economic shutdowns leading to job loss and the widespread closure of institutions such as schools, senior centers, nonprofits, and social service centers that provide access to nutritious meals. 

In 2018, Council members recognized that to effectively carry out the group’s function – to help facilitate market access for Delaware farmers and access to nutritious food for community members – using data to drive what we know and how we understand our local food system would be critical. The Council’s first project was mapping the geospatial locations of food retailers and other food access-related resources throughout Delaware. This map was planned as a baseline of existing capacities for members to build qualitative and quantitative analyses. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools are central to data analysis and project development, and allow Council members and partners to visualize and dissect vulnerabilities and areas of opportunity around our local food environment. Building a food data infrastructure is crucial to developing and conveying narratives that are clear and actionable, leading to tangible solutions and evidence-based policy decisions.

IPA has been working with local governments for over 45 years. The partnerships of state, county, and local governments and affiliated organizations have allowed them to work on impactful projects, sponsor research, and host many training programs. IPA has been at the forefront of GIS technology since the early 1970s, providing the highest quality mapping, data, and analysis to an ever-expanding scope has remained consistent. From helping our older population age in place, providing assistance to local governments, to addressing the needs of school-age children, GIS technology has allowed us to learn how best to serve our communities.

As the partnering agencies met and discussed their efforts in aiding in food insecurity throughout the state, it became very clear how it would be helpful to have the data made publicly available.  Delaware FirstMap  is a centralized repository for commonly used Geospatial data layers. The repository supports inter-agency data sharing and facilitates data collection and updates, which in turn simplifies the process of finding the most recent geospatial data in the state. The FirstMap centralized services can be added to maps, used within applications, and utilized in ArcGIS Online Web Maps and Web Mapping Applications. Having each of the partnering agencies connect directly to FirstMap to publish their data ensures that these data services are the most current data available. The link to view and download the Food Resources Data can be found under the ISO category Society  here .

The CDC Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) uses 15 variables to help local officials identify communities that may need support before, during, or after disasters. The SVI ranks, at the national level and the state level, each tract on 15 social factors, which are shown in the graphic to the left. These social factors are then grouped into four main themes; socioeconomic status, household composition & disability, minority status & language, housing type & transportation. Individual states, tracts, or counties are ranked against other tracts or counties in that state. The map graphic below shows Delaware's CDC SVI for 2020. For more detailed information about how the SVI was developed visit their  website  or the  whitepaper  to learn more.

• Zipcode 19973 - 5.63%
• Zipcode 19956 - 5.33%

Internet access can include a subscription for dial-up, cellular, cable, fiber optic, DSL, satellite, or other services, or internet access without a subscription. Also, view the  Delaware Broadband  Initiative working to connect every Delaware home and business.

In addition to providing a snapshot of current community-based food resources offered throughout Delaware, information provided on this site can be analyzed and synthesized to present detailed “stories” of specific jurisdictions and their access to sufficient supports.

Through the site’s various applications and tools, IPA, working with the Delaware Council on Farm and Food Policy, is focusing on specific community characteristics, including nutritional and health-related risks and vulnerabilities among households and families. Policy briefs highlight findings from this type of analysis providing both a national and statewide context, as well as policy implications and recommendations for decision-making at the state and local level. 

Download a pdf version of Trends and Challenges Related to Food Insecurity Among Rural Households with School-aged Children -Before, During, and Beyond the Pandemic, June 2022, Policy Brief for easier reading  here .

 Download the Kent County’s Agricultural Vitality: Supporting Delaware Communities through Continued Traditions and Emerging Markets,  policy brief for easier reading. (pdf)

Click on the map below to see which grocery stores deliver, accept WIC and/or SNAP, have fresh fruit, vegetables, meat products, and more.

Tracking the number of meals and how many families are served help identify gaps and needs of the community. Using Survey123 and mapping the families zipcode location is one way to understand where the families that are being served are coming from.