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.
Donor Name: Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
State: Maryland
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 02/20/2026
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
This program supports the development, stabilization, and expansion of retail outlets that provide fresh food in areas where residents have limited or no access to nutritious food options. By facilitating access to fresh produce and other essential grocery items, this initiative is a key step toward building stronger, healthier, and more economically resilient communities across Maryland.
Priorities
Awards will be provided on a competitive basis. Prioritization will be provided to applicants that are:
- Located in an ENOUGH ACT-awarded area or Just Community designated zone;
- An existing MMM Access Point;
- Able to accept SNAP benefits
- Either currently accepting SNAP benefits or having the infrastructure in place to do so upon completion of capital improvements.
- Only those with SNAP participation will be eligible for the NourishMD + MMM award partnership.
- Committed to local sourcing of inventory; and
- Using or planning to use funds for the purchase or installation of equipment to reduce fossil fuel reliance or energy consumption.
Funding Information
- Grant Size: $25,000 – $150,000
- Total Funding Available: Up to $2 million.
Uses of Funds
Funds must be used for the sole purpose of improving or providing healthy food access in the following manners:
- Purchase of furniture, fixtures, and /or equipment (e.g., refrigeration, shelving, etc.);
- Renovation and build-out;
- Facility upgrades;
- Capital needs related to Inventory expansion (non-prepared foods);
- Working capital involved with expansion or renovations/construction; and
- Infrastructure/technology for SNAP/EBT setup.
Eligibility Criteria
For the purpose of this program, “Food Deserts” is defined as any area with a Maryland Community Business Compass fresh food gap score of 60% or higher pursuant to Annotated Code of Maryland – Housing and Community Development Article §6–308.
For-profit and nonprofit businesses engaged in retail activity are eligible, provided that they:
- Serve a community with a high fresh food gap score per the Maryland Community Business Compass
- High fresh food gap score is defined as a score of 60% or higher
- Exceptions may be granted on an individual basis.
- 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)
- Employ a maximum number of 500 workers;
- Are registered and in good standing with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT);
- Offer, or plan to use grant to offer, a variety of high-quality fresh produce, or a mix of fresh, frozen, and preserved produce, as well as other healthy grocery items (e.g., whole grains, dairy products, fresh meats/proteins);
- Ensure that at least 20% of their retail inventory or floor space dedicated to food sales will be comprised of healthy food items;
- This percentage may be based on:
- Square footage of food display space, or;
- Dollar value of inventory for sale.
- Applicants must provide documentation, photos, or a store layout to confirm compliance with the requirements.
- This percentage may be based on:
Ineligibility
Food retailers include, but are not limited to:
- Grocery stores;
- Corner stores;
- Farm stands and other on-farm markets;
- Farmers’ markets;
- Food co-ops; and
- Delivery retailers serving a population with low fresh food access; and
- Small retail stores with the majority of inventory or sales are food-related (If no more than 25% of gross sales are derived from alcohol/ tobacco products.
For more information, visit DHCD.
