NourishMD Grant Program

The Nouri​shMD 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

• Grant size: $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

For-profit or nonprofit food retailers that:

• Serve a community with a Maryland Community Compass (MCC)​ Fresh Food Gap Score of 65% or higher
  • Watch: How to Find Your Community's Fresh Food Gap Score​
• 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

Please refer to the Request for Applications (RFA) - PDF - 180.83 KB for a complete list of eligibility requirements.

Tip: Visit the Maryland Community Compass (MCC)​ to learn more, use data insights to identify new opportunities, and connect with expert resources to help your business thrive.

Eligible retailers

Eligible retailers include:

• Grocery stores
• Corner stores
• Farm stands and other on-farm markets
• Farmers' markets
• Community Supported Agriculture (CSA, using an average FFGS for delivery area)
• Food co-ops
• Delivery retailers serving a population with low fresh food access
• Small retail stores where the majority of inventory or sales are food-related (provided no more than 25% of gross sales are derived from alcohol/tobacco products)

To qualify for Rural Health Transformation Program funds, the retailer must be located in a designated rural county - PDF

Eligible use of funds

Use of funds depends on the source of funding, though dually-sourced awards are available.

State funds

$2 million in State funds may be used to directly support 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

Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funds

$1.67 million in RHTP funds can be used to directly support improved healthy food access, including:

• Purchase of furniture, fixtures, and/or equipment (e.g., Energy Star-rated refrigeration, shelving, etc.)
• Facility upgrades to support cold storage or point of sale expansion ONLY (ie. electrical upgrade for a new walk-in, grant year WIFI costs for POS terminal usage, cement slab for new walk-in)
• Infrastructure and technology for SNAP/EBT setup
• Marketing costs to promote the RHTP funded efforts only (Please note, pre-approval for these expenses is required)
• Purchase of a vehicle for fresh food delivery
• Electrical installations or heat pumps to reduce operating costs
• Expenses related to pre-harvest infrastructure are not eligible for any grant funding under this grant program 

Program timeline

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.

Read the NourishMD Program Guide​​ - PDF - 231.55 KB for full details on requirements and documentation.

Two-tiered application process

The Round 2 grant cycle features a new, two-step application process to make things simpler and faster for everyone.

Tier 1: Eligibility and triage

The objective of the Tier 1 application is to verify baseline eligibility and measure community need before applicants invest significant resources required for a full grant proposal.

• Eligibility floor: All projects must meet an absolute Fresh Food Gap Score (FFGS) floor of 65. Applications with a score below 65 will be removed through an automated binary check during submission. View Fresh Food Gap Score Methodology for more information.
• Use of grant funds: This section will include a business overview, and an overview/needs statement for the use of grant funds. Detailed breakout of RHTP/GO Bond fund requests will be completed by the applicant in Tier 2, with assistance provided as needed.

Tier 2: Comprehensive project evaluation

Applicants who successfully pass the Tier 1 triage and receive leadership approval will be invited to submit a full Tier 2 application. This phase requires detailed documentation to ensure project viability and administrative compliance.

Submission requirements:

• Project narratives: Comprehensive descriptions of the project, including its impact on fresh food access and a breakout of RHTP and GO Bond funded expenses.
• Line-item budgets: Detailed expense budgets including vendor quotes and unverified cost assumptions.
• Governance & Compliance Documents:
  • Articles of Incorporation and Organization By-Laws.
  • SDAT proof of good standing, State tax registration documentation, IRS W-9 Form (name must match exactly).
  • Mandatory disclosure for active bankruptcy or litigation.
  • Any additional documentation that may be required by DHCD.
  • RHTP Applicants Only: Attestation regarding duplication and supplantation.

Engagement strategy

Register for the informational webinars

Webinars will be conducted to share Round 2 changes and answer applicant questions before the application portal opens on September 22, 2026.

• Central Maryland (Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard Counties): Monday, September 14th at 10:30am
• Southern Maryland (Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s Counties): Monday, September 14th at 2:00pm
• Capital Region (Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties): Tuesday, September 15th at 10:30am
• Eastern Shore (Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester County): Friday, September 18th at 9:30am
• Western and Rural Central Maryland (Allegany, Garret, Washington, Frederick, Carroll Counties): Monday, September 21st at 1:00pm

Other funding sources

Applicants that are jointly eligible for both programs and apply to both will receive priority consideration for awards from each program, subject to available funding and program eligibility requirements.

Beyond Direct Grants: DHCD Business Lending Options

NourishMD serves as a vetting engine for broader state of Maryland business development initiatives. Applicants may also be evaluated for direct loan products and companion lending through the Business Lending program. A checkbox is provided in the application for those interested in exploring these flexible lending options. Note: Indicating an interest in your application for these programs does not guarantee acceptance or an award of funding from DHCD.

Maryland Market Money (MMM) partnership

In partnership with the Maryland Department of Agriculture, NourishMD applicants will be considered for coordinated funding opportunities through both programs. MMM 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 also providing technical assistance, training, marketing, and other support to participating businesses.

Currently participating MMM Access Points are encouraged to apply for NourishMD funding. New NourishMD applicants seeking to become MMM participants will be prioritized for MMM participation as funding becomes available. Farmers markets and on-farm retailers seeking technical assistance to accept SNAP/EBT may indicate this in their NourishMD application and will be connected with MDA for assistance with the process.

Visit Maryland Market Money (MMM)

Maryland Department of Health's Healthy Corner Store Program 

This 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. For more information.

For more information

• Schedule a NourishMD consultation 
• Email us at ​[email protected]​​