2026-2027
Farm to Pharmacy
Where Food, Health, and Careers Come Together
What if the food we grow could help transform the health of our communities? And what role could YOU play in making that happen?
Farm to Pharmacy is an innovative, interdisciplinary Work-Based Learning (WBL) initiative developed through a partnership between the Delaware Department of Education and the Delaware Restaurant Foundation.
Aligned with Delaware's Food is Medicine priorities, this pilot connects agriculture, nutrition, healthcare, hospitality, education, and business to explore how food and nutrition can support healthier individuals and communities, particularly in rural Delaware.
Selected students will join a collaborative team representing five Career & Technical Education (CTE) pathways. Through hands-on, industry-connected experiences, students will explore real-world challenges, work with professionals, apply their classroom learning, and discover how their career interests contribute to improving community health.
Explore Your Role
We are recruiting 20 students statewide to represent five career pathways. Each pathway brings a different set of skills and perspectives to the Farm to Pharmacy initiative.
Hospitality, Events & Tourism (HET)
7 Student Opportunities
Explore how culinary arts, food preparation, hospitality operations, and food service can support nutrition and wellness.
Students may contribute their knowledge of menu development, food safety, meal preparation, customer service, and the connection between nutritious food and community experiences.
Health Sciences
7 Student Opportunities
Explore how nutrition, preventive care, and access to healthy food influence individual and community health outcomes.
Students may apply their knowledge of health and wellness, patient education, nutrition-related health concerns, and the role of healthcare professionals in supporting healthier communities.
Agriculture
2 Student Opportunities
Explore the connection between agricultural production, local food systems, and community nutrition.
Students may contribute their understanding of growing practices, food sourcing, sustainability, agricultural operations, and the importance of connecting local producers with community needs.
Education
2 Student Opportunities
Explore how education and community outreach can help individuals and families understand nutrition, wellness, and healthy food choices.
Students may apply their skills in instructional planning, communication, developing educational resources, and making information accessible to different audiences.
Business, Information & Leadership (BIL)
2 Student Opportunities
Explore the business and organizational systems needed to support sustainable food and health initiatives.
Students may contribute skills in marketing, communication, project management, business operations, and community partnerships.
What Can You Expect?
Farm to Pharmacy is designed to provide experiences that go beyond a traditional classroom. Participating students will have opportunities to:
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Apply technical and professional skills through industry-connected work-based learning experiences.
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Explore Delaware's Food is Medicine priorities and the relationship between food access, nutrition, and health outcomes.
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Develop career readiness skills, including leadership, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and professionalism.
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Specific activities, assignments, and schedules will be communicated as the pilot is implemented.
Who Should Apply?
We are looking for students who are curious, motivated, dependable, and willing to contribute to a team. You do not need to be an expert in agriculture, nutrition, or healthcare. You do need to be ready to learn, collaborate with students from other pathways, and explore new possibilities.
Only 20 students will be selected from the communities surrounding Focus Pharmacy in Smyrna, DE. Applications will be reviewed based on students' interests, motivation, readiness, and potential contributions to the initiative.
Ready to Make an Impact?
Your career pathway is one piece of a much bigger picture. Farm to Pharmacy is your opportunity to discover how your knowledge, skills, and ideas can contribute to healthier communities and Delaware's future workforce.