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NourishMD Grant Program Creates New Opportunities for Farmers Markets, Farm Stands, and Local Food Retailers to Strengthen Maryland's Food System

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ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 22, 2026) ~ The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) have announced a new grant program that aims to strengthen the state's food system. The NourishMD Grant Program will provide opportunities for farmers markets, farm stands, and other local food retailers to expand their reach and improve access to healthy, fresh foods in communities experiencing food insecurity.

With a total funding of up to $2 million available statewide, eligible retailers can apply for grants ranging from $25,000 to $150,000. The funds will be used to invest in equipment, facilities, inventory expansion, and technology, with a focus on improving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/EBT) infrastructure and systems.

This initiative presents a unique opportunity for both existing Maryland Market Money (MMM) access points and new retailers to enhance their operations and better serve communities with high fresh food gaps. Farmers' markets and farm-based retailers can use the grants to upgrade critical aspects such as refrigeration, point-of-sale technology, storage, and market infrastructure. This will enable them to accept nutrition benefits like SNAP and Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), reduce administrative barriers, and reach more customers.

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According to Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks, farmers markets and farm-based retailers play a crucial role in connecting communities with fresh local food. He believes that through the NourishMD Grant Program, they are investing directly in the infrastructure and technology needed for these businesses to grow while ensuring more Marylanders have access to healthy locally grown food.

To be eligible for the grant program, applicants must be for-profit or nonprofit food retailers serving communities with a Maryland Community Business Compass (MCBC) Fresh Food Gap Score of 60% or higher. While most retailers must operate year-round at least five days per week, farmers' markets and on-farm markets are exempt due to their seasonal nature.

The program also aligns with Maryland Market Money's mission to remove economic barriers to local food access and strengthen farm viability. By combining NourishMD investments with nutrition incentive programs like MMM, farmers and market operators can expand both their physical and digital infrastructure, allowing them to serve more customers and increase farm sales.

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DHCD Secretary Jake Day believes that access to healthy food should not be determined by one's ZIP code or neighborhood. He states that food deserts are a result of long-standing inequity and disinvestment, which limits opportunities for many Marylanders. The partnership between DHCD and MDA aims to address this issue by supporting small businesses, strengthening local economies, and ensuring more families can access the healthy food they deserve.

The application portal for the NourishMD Grant Program opened on January 20, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. EST and will close on February 20, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EST. Award notifications are expected in May 2026, with funding disbursed following Board of Public Works approval.

Farmers markets, farm stands, and other interested food retailers are encouraged to visit https://dhcd.maryland.gov/Business/Pages/Nouris... to learn more about eligibility requirements and apply for the grant program. This partnership between MDA and DHCD is a significant step towards creating a more equitable food system in Maryland and ensuring that all residents have access to fresh, healthy food options.

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