The NourishMD Grant Program is a targeted investment designed to expand access to healthy and fresh foods in Maryland communities experiencing food insecurity by providing direct grants to eligible retailers.
Available Funding
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Grant Size: $25,000 – $150,000
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Total Funding Available: Up to $2 million
Eligible Applicants
For-profit or nonprofit food retailers that:
- Serve a community with a
Maryland Community Business Compass (MCBC) Fresh Food Gap Score of 60% or higher
- Operate at least 5 days per week, year round (farmer's markets/on-farm markets exempt from 5-day requirement but must operate year round)
- Currently or plan to offer fresh, frozen, or minimally processed healthy foods
- Dedicate at least 20% of inventory or food-sales space to healthy food items
Tip: Visit the
Maryland Community Business Compass (MCBC) to learn more, use data insights to identify new opportunities, and connect with expert resources to help your business thrive.
Eligible retailers include, but are not limited to::
- Grocery stores
- Corner stores
- Co-ops
- Farm stands
- Farmers' markets
- Delivery retailers
- Small food-focused stores
Eligible Use of Funds
Funds can be used to directly support improved healthy food access, including:
- Equipment purchases (refrigeration, shelving, etc.)
- Buildout and facility upgrades
- Capital costs for inventory expansion
- Initial inventory costs
- Working capital tied to expansion/construction
- Infrastructure and technology for SNAP/EBT
Program Timeline
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January 20, 2026: Application portal opens at 12:00 p.m. EST
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February 20, 2026: Application portal closes at 5:00 p.m. EST
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February–March 2026: Application review period
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April 2026: Funding recommendations finalized
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May 2026: Award notifications
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June 2026: Board of Public Works (BPW) approval and disbursements
Application
Application Status: Open
Application Opens: January 20, 2026
Read the
NourishMD Program Guide for full details on requirements and documentation before you apply.
Program Fees
- No application fee
- $250 processing fee (deducted from the award amount)
Other Funding Sources
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Partnership with Maryland Market Money (MMM) Program provides a dollar-for-dollar match for purchases made using federal nutrition benefits at participating Maryland farmers markets, farm stands, and other on-farm retailers while providing technical assistance, training, marketing, and additional services to stakeholders. Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply to both programs and will receive priority for awards.
- Maryland Department of Agriculture and NourishMD have partnered to
co-award funds to farmers markets and on-farm stands that offer fresh food in areas with low access.
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Maryland Department of Health's Healthy Corner Store Program provides grants to establish relationships between local health departments and small scale retail stores in Maryland recognized rural districts, recognize those establishments that are stocking healthy products, and recommend areas for improvement for retailers to meet the criteria of a Healthy Maryland Corner Store.
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The Neighborhood BusinessWorks Program offered by DHCD can further provide loans of up to $5 million.
