NourishMD Grant Opportunity
Category: Event Calendar
Date and Time
- Tue, Sep 22, 2026 - Mon, Nov 2, 2026
Details
New grant opportunity for grocery stores, on-farm and farmers markets, CSAs, and other food retailers!
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.
- Grants of $25,000 – $150,000
- Total funding available Up to $3.67 million ($2 million in state funds and $1.67 million in federal Rural Health Transformation Program funds)
Eligible applicants are for-profit or nonprofit food retailers that:
- Serve a community with a Maryland Community Compass (MCC) Fresh Food Gap Score of 65% or higher
- Explore eligible locations on this Montgomery County map from OFSR to see if your retail location and/or delivery service area qualifies
- Operate at least 5 days per week, year round (farmer's markets/on-farm markets exempt from 5-day requirement and must operate 10 months out of the year)
- 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
- Includes grocery and corner stores, farm stands and farmers markets, CSAs, Food co-ops, food delivery retailers serving eligible locations
- Please refer to the Request for Applications (RFA) - PDF - 180.83 KB for a complete list of eligibility requirements.
Grant funds use is direct support for improved healthy food access, including:
- Purchase of furniture, fixtures, and/or equipment (e.g., Energy Star-rated refrigeration, shelving, etc.)
- Renovation, build-out, and facility upgrades
- Capital needs related to inventory expansion (non-prepared foods)
- Working capital involved with expansion or renovations/construction
- Infrastructure and technology for SNAP/EBT setup
- Purchase of a vehicle for fresh food delivery
- Commercial solar installations or heat pumps to reduce operating costs
Key Dates
- The Tier 1 Application Portal opens on September 22, 2026 at 12:00pm EST. The Tier 1 Application Portal closes on November 2, 2026 at 5:00pm EST.
- All interested applicants MUST submit an application by November 2, 2026. Only applicants that meet the baseline requirements in Tier 1 will advance to the Tier 2 application.
- Webinars will be conducted to share Round 2 changes and answer applicant questions before the application portal opens on September 22, 2026. Register for the informational webinars
- Friday, September 18th at 9:30am
- Monday, September 21st at 1:00pm
- For more information:
- Email us dhcd.businesslending@maryland.gov
