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Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development

NourishMD Round 2 Grant Program Applications Open September 22, 2026

Public Notice |
Updated:

PUBLIC NOTICE

NourishMD Round 2 Grant Program Applications Open September 22, 2026

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) announces the opening of the Fiscal Year 2027 NourishMD Grant Program. The application portal opens September 22, 2026, at 12 p.m. and closes November 2, 2026, at 5 p.m.

NourishMD provides grants to support the development, stabilization and expansion of retail businesses that increase access to fresh, healthy food in Maryland communities with limited food access.

Available Funding

Grant awards range from $25,000 to $150,000 per project. Funding may support eligible expenses such as:

  • Furniture, fixtures and equipment, including refrigeration and shelving;
  • Renovations, build-out and eligible facility upgrades;
  • Infrastructure and technology to support SNAP/EBT;
  • Eligible inventory expansion and working capital;
  • Fresh food delivery vehicles; and
  • Certain energy-efficiency improvements.

Who May Apply?

Eligible applicants include for-profit and nonprofit food retailers, such as grocery stores, corner stores, farmers markets, farm stands and other on-farm markets, food cooperatives, Community Supported Agriculture operations and certain food delivery retailers.

Among other requirements, applicants must:

  • Serve a community with a Fresh Food Gap Score of 65 or higher;
  • Offer, or plan to offer, fresh, frozen or minimally processed healthy foods;
  • Dedicate at least 20% of food inventory or food-sales space to healthy food items; and
  • Meet applicable operating, business registration and program requirements.

Application Process

The FY2027 program uses a two-tier application process.

Tier 1 – Eligibility and Triage: Applicants will first submit information to establish basic eligibility, community need and the proposed use of grant funds. All interested applicants must submit a Tier 1 application by the November 2 deadline.

Tier 2 – Comprehensive Project Evaluation: Applicants selected to advance will be invited to submit a more detailed application, including project narratives, budgets, vendor information and required business and compliance documentation.

Important Dates

  • Tier 1 Application Opens: September 22, 2026, at 12 p.m.
  • Tier 1 Application Deadline: November 2, 2026, at 5 p.m.
  • Tier 2 Application Deadline: February 4, 2027, at 5 p.m. for applicants invited to advance
  • Award Notifications: Anticipated April 2027
  • Grant Agreements: Anticipated May 2027

Learn More and Apply

Review complete eligibility requirements, eligible uses of funds, program guidance and additional NourishMD information on the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development website:

NourishMD Grant Program – Full Program Details

Apply for NourishMD Round 2:
TIER 1 APPLICATION PORTAL LINK

For questions about the NourishMD Request for Applications, contact [email protected].