Maternal Produce Prescription Program (MP3)

The Maternal Produce Prescription Program (MP3) is a federal grant initiative administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. HRSA is responsible for improving access to healthcare services for vulnerable and underserved populations, particularly those at risk of poor health outcomes. This program falls under the Special Projects of Regional and National Significance assistance listing and reflects HRSA’s continued investment in maternal and child health, nutrition security, and community-based preventive health strategies. The primary purpose of the MP3 program is to support the development and implementation of community-based produce prescription programs specifically targeting maternal populations who are at risk of adverse health outcomes due to nutrition insecurity and related health factors. These programs are expected to integrate healthcare services with access to fresh produce and nutrition education, thereby addressing both immediate dietary needs and long-term health behaviors. The funding is intended to enable organizations to design and operationalize interventions that connect pregnant and postpartum individuals with resources that improve nutritional intake and overall health. Grant funds may be used to establish or expand produce prescription initiatives, including partnerships with healthcare providers, community organizations, and food suppliers. Allowable activities include distributing vouchers or prescriptions for fresh produce, implementing nutrition education programming, and supporting infrastructure necessary to deliver these services effectively. While specific restrictions are not outlined in the forecast, applicants are expected to align expenditures with program goals and federal grant compliance standards. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity, which lowers the barrier to entry for eligible applicants. Eligibility for this program is broad and inclusive, encompassing a wide range of public and private entities. Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, federally recognized and non-federally recognized tribal governments and organizations, public and private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, small businesses, and other for-profit organizations. This inclusive eligibility framework is intended to encourage diverse partnerships and community-driven solutions across different sectors. The application process is expected to follow standard federal grant submission procedures through electronic systems such as Grants.gov, although specific submission steps and required components will be detailed upon release of the full funding opportunity announcement. Applicants should anticipate preparing a comprehensive proposal that outlines program design, target population, implementation strategy, and evaluation approach. Contact for the program is provided through the HRSA Maternal and Child Health Bureau, which can be reached via phone for additional guidance. The timeline for this opportunity indicates that it is currently in the forecast stage, with an estimated posting date of May 1, 2026. Applications are expected to be due by June 1, 2026, with awards anticipated by August 30, 2026, and a project start date of September 30, 2026. The program is associated with fiscal year 2026 funding and is not explicitly stated as recurring. Applicants should monitor the official posting for updates and prepare materials in advance to meet the relatively short application window once the opportunity is released.