Food and Agricultural Resiliency Mechanism Grant Program

The Maryland Food and Agricultural Resiliency Mechanism Grant Program (MFARM) is administered by the Maryland Department of Agriculture through its Office of Marketing, Consumer Services and Animal Industries. This initiative is strategically designed to address food insecurity while simultaneously supporting the local agricultural economy. It achieves this dual objective by enabling the purchase and distribution of Maryland-grown agricultural and seafood products for use by food banks, charitable emergency food providers, and nonprofits serving at-risk populations throughout the state. The overarching purpose of MFARM is to reinforce the resiliency of Maryland’s food system. This is accomplished by leveraging locally sourced food products—especially those listed in the Certified Local Farm and Fish Program and the Chesapeake Invasive Species Provider Directory—and facilitating their distribution to food-insecure communities. The grant program prioritizes purchasing from these certified sources, ensuring that funding cycles not only provide sustenance to vulnerable populations but also circulate economic benefits within the local farming and seafood sectors. MFARM grant funds are primarily allocated for the procurement of agricultural and seafood products. However, a portion of the funds may be used for other operational expenses necessary to facilitate distribution. According to the funding formula, 80% of the awarded grant must be directed toward food purchases, while the remaining 20% may be utilized for transportation, distribution, staff costs, and related supplies. The program has a minimum grant request threshold of $5,000 and a maximum request cap of $40,000, with a total funding pool of $200,000. Eligibility for the MFARM program is limited to Maryland-based organizations that are registered with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation and are in Good Standing. Qualified applicants include food banks, emergency food providers, and nonprofits whose missions align with food access and food insecurity relief. Additionally, eligible nonprofits must also be registered as a charity with the Maryland Secretary of State. Applicants who maintain existing relationships with producers from the Certified Local Farm and Fish Directory are required to submit Letters of Support from those producers as part of their application. All applicants must also provide a signed W-9 form. The application process for MFARM is not currently open, and the department encourages interested organizations to check back for upcoming announcements and deadlines. No pre-application gating requirements or submission components are publicly detailed at this time. The program operates on a recurring basis and past grantees include a diverse range of community-based organizations, such as Aaron's Place, AfriThrive, and Civic Works, all of which have implemented impactful food distribution initiatives using grant funds. These case examples illustrate the program’s commitment to inclusive, community-driven solutions to hunger. For additional information or to ask questions about the program, applicants can contact Karen Fedor, the MFARM Program Director, at (410) 841-5773. The office is located at 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401. Resources such as an MFARM Information Session video, presentation slides, and Q&A documents are referenced but not directly linked to a downloadable PDF format. Future applicants are advised to monitor the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s website for application guidelines and updated materials as they become available.