The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), in partnership with the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), is pleased to highlight new opportunities for farmers markets, farm stands, and other food retailers through the NourishMD Grant Program, a targeted investment designed to expand access to healthy, fresh foods in Maryland communities experiencing food insecurity.
Through this initiative, eligible retailers, including farmers markets, on-farm markets, and farm stands, may apply for grants ranging from $25,000 to $150,000, with up to $2 million in total funding available statewide. Funds are intended to strengthen local food infrastructure, support farmers, and improve food access for Maryland residents by investing in equipment, facilities, inventory expansion, and technology, particularly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/EBT) infrastructure and systems.
The NourishMD Grant Program presents a unique opportunity for both existing Maryland Market Money (MMM) access points and new, prospective retailers to build capacity, modernize operations, and better serve communities with high fresh food gaps. For farmers’ markets and farm-based retailers, the program can support critical upgrades such as refrigeration, point-of-sale technology, storage, and market infrastructure, helping farmers accept nutrition benefits, reduce administrative barriers, and reach more customers.
“Maryland’s farmers markets and farm-based retailers play a critical role in connecting communities to fresh, local food,” said Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks. “Through the NourishMD Grant Program, we are investing directly in the infrastructure and technology that farmers and market operators need to grow their businesses, accept nutrition benefits like SNAP and Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), and ensure more Marylanders can access healthy, locally grown food.”
Source : maryland.gov