Maryland's NourishMD program offers $3.67 million to food retailers in food deserts, with applications due Nov. 2
Gov. Wes Moore announced the second round on Sept. 10, and it opened Sept. 22. Grocery stores, corner stores, farmers markets and other retailers, nonprofit or for-profit, can seek $25,000 to $150,000; $1.67 million of the money is federal and only for retailers in rural counties.
Annapolis. Maryland is taking applications for a second round of NourishMD grants, which pay for equipment, renovations and other capital costs of food retailers in areas with little access to fresh food. Nonprofit and for-profit retailers can apply until Nov. 2.
Gov. Wes Moore announced the round on Sept. 10, and the Department of Housing and Community Development opened applications on Sept. 22. It has about $3.67 million: $2 million in state bond funds and $1.67 million in federal money through the state health department's Rural Health Transformation Program.
In the first round, announced July 27, 44 organizations in 18 counties were awarded $3.65 million. Among them were Horizon Goodwill Industries, for Horizon Market, a nonprofit full-service grocery store in Hagerstown, and the Appalachian Farm and Food Alliance, which plans to turn the Mountain Fresh Farmers Market pavilion in Oakland into a year-round fresh food hub.
Who can apply
Grocery stores, corner stores, farm stands, farmers markets, food co-ops, community supported agriculture programs and delivery services are eligible, as are small stores that mostly sell food. A retailer must serve a community with a Fresh Food Gap Score of at least 65 on the state's Maryland Community Compass, up from 60 in the first round.
It must also be open at least five days a week all year, or 10 months a year for farmers markets, employ no more than 500 people, be registered and in good standing with the state, and give at least 20 percent of its food inventory or floor space to healthy items.
Grants of $25,000 to $150,000 can pay for refrigeration and other equipment, renovations, working capital tied to an expansion, systems to accept SNAP benefits, delivery vehicles, and solar installations or heat pumps. The federal share is only for retailers in designated rural counties and cannot pay for general renovations or working capital.
“NourishMD supports businesses and nonprofit organizations seeking to create oases within food deserts that provide both quality in product and equality in access.”
Two steps, then a lump sum
The first application step, due Nov. 2 at 5 p.m., checks eligibility and scores need, with more points for a higher gap score and for projects in Sustainable Communities, Just Communities or ENOUGH Initiative areas. Retailers invited to the second step must file a full application by Feb. 4, 2027, with a line-item budget, vendor quotes, articles of incorporation, bylaws and an IRS Form W-9.
Awards are expected in April 2027, each paid in a single lump sum in May, and the grant period ends in May 2028. Eligible retailers that apply to both NourishMD and Maryland Market Money, which matches federal nutrition benefits spent at farmers markets, get priority consideration in each.
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