The Maryland Food and Agricultural Resiliency Mechanism Grant Program (MFARM), administered by the Maryland Department of Agriculture, aims to support food-insecure populations by strengthening local food systems. This initiative helps Maryland food banks, nonprofits, and charitable emergency food providers purchase and distribute local agricultural and seafood products. The program leverages Maryland’s Certified Local Farm and Fish Program and the Chesapeake Invasive Species Provider Directory to ensure locally sourced products are used to meet community needs.

The purpose of MFARM is twofold: to increase access to nutritious food for food-insecure Marylanders and to provide a sustainable market for the state’s farmers and seafood producers. Eligible organizations may apply for grant awards ranging from $5,000 to $40,000. A total of $200,000 in funding is available during this cycle. Grant funds must follow an 80/20 allocation rule: 80% must be used for food purchases, while the remaining 20% may cover transportation, staff, supplies, and related distribution costs.

The application period opens on March 12, 2025, and closes on May 2, 2025, with all submissions required through the Maryland OneStop online portal. Organizations must be registered and in Good Standing with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation and, if a nonprofit, registered as a charity with the Maryland Secretary of State. Additionally, applicants must provide an official signed W-9 and, if applicable, letters of support from producers listed in the Certified Local Farm and Fish Directory.

Eligible applicants include Maryland-based food banks, charitable emergency food providers, and nonprofits focused on food insecurity. Priority is given to proposals that purchase products from local producers listed in the state's certified directories and those that demonstrate established relationships with such vendors.

Grant-funded projects from 2024 included initiatives such as community refrigerator programs, farm-to-school produce delivery, mobile meals for vulnerable populations, and partnerships with local farms to deliver fresh food to rural or underserved areas. These past examples underscore the program’s goal to increase the resiliency of Maryland’s food system and enhance equitable food access statewide.

For questions about the program or assistance with the application, interested applicants may contact Karen Fedor, Program Director, at mfarm.mda@maryland.gov.