Governor Wes Moore announced Monday that 44 organizations across Maryland will receive nearly $4 million through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s NourishMD Grant Program to expand access to fresh, healthy food in underserved communities.
The $3.65 million in grants will support grocery stores, farmers markets, food hubs and other retail outlets in areas identified as food deserts, where residents have limited access to nutritious food. Awards ranging from $25,000 to $150,000 will help fund facility upgrades, equipment, cold storage and other infrastructure improvements.
Notable projects include a nonprofit grocery store in Hagerstown, a year-round food hub in Garrett County, a community marketplace in Crisfield, a permanent food hub in Baltimore’s Cherry Hill neighborhood and a regional agricultural hub in Prince George’s County. The program is funded through a combination of state funding and federal Rural Health Transformation Program dollars and prioritizes businesses that accept federal nutrition assistance benefits.
