NourishMD Grant Program

The NourishMD Grant Program is an initiative developed by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to improve access to healthy, fresh food in communities across Maryland experiencing food insecurity. This strategic program targets retail food environments in areas identified as having high fresh food gap scores and aims to address the lack of nutritious options by providing direct capital support to for-profit and nonprofit food retailers. Through these investments, the program promotes both public health and community resilience, reinforcing broader efforts by the state to support underserved populations. The grant awards range from $25,000 to $150,000, with a total of up to $2 million allocated to fund eligible projects. These funds are intended to support capital improvements that directly facilitate access to healthy food. Retailers may use the funds for equipment purchases such as refrigeration and shelving, facility renovations and buildouts, inventory expansion focused on non-prepared healthy foods, working capital tied to construction or expansion efforts, and infrastructure or technology upgrades for SNAP and EBT systems. For grants exceeding $100,000, a credit check will be conducted, though a low credit score does not automatically disqualify an applicant. Eligibility for the NourishMD Grant Program is open to both for-profit and nonprofit food retailers that operate in communities with a Maryland Community Business Compass fresh food gap score of 60% or higher. These retailers must operate year-round for at least five days per week—except in the case of farmers markets and on-farm markets—and dedicate a minimum of 20% of their inventory or floor space to healthy food items. Eligible retail formats include grocery stores, corner stores, food co-ops, farm stands, delivery retailers, and small food-focused stores. Applicants must be registered and in good standing with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation and must either accept SNAP benefits or plan to do so through grant-funded improvements. The application process begins with the Notice of Funding Availability in December. The application portal officially opens on January 20, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. EST and closes on February 20, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EST. Applications will be reviewed from February through March, with funding recommendations finalized in April. Award notifications will be issued in May, and final grant disbursements will be approved by the Board of Public Works in June. Applicants must submit a complete application with all required documentation by the deadline to be eligible for review. The program places priority on applicants located in ENOUGH ACT or Just Community zones, current access points for the Maryland Market Money (MMM) program, and those committed to accepting SNAP benefits or implementing clean energy technologies. Additionally, the NourishMD Program is coordinated with other Maryland initiatives including the MMM Program and the Healthy Corner Store Program, which provide technical assistance and expanded financial incentives for select applicants. These collaborative programs ensure that retailers not only gain funding but are supported holistically through training, marketing, and other services. To apply, applicants must submit a Certificate of Good Standing, proof of meeting the healthy food threshold, tax returns or audited financials (unless a startup), and detailed project plans including a line-item budget. Supporting documentation for proposed expenditures such as quotes, invoices, and equipment specs is also required. There is no application fee, though a $250 processing fee is deducted from awarded grant amounts. For more information, applicants are encouraged to consult the official program guidelines and may reach out via dhcd.businesslending@maryland.gov.

Priority is given to applicants who accept SNAP, commit to local sourcing, and use funds for energy-reducing equipment. Aligning with MMM boosts competitiveness.