The Rural Maryland Council (RMC) is pleased to announce the launch of a new grant program through Maryland’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), with approximately $4.6 million in funding available to support initiatives that improve access to healthy, locally sourced food across rural communities.
The Maryland Rural Health Transformation Program is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $168,180,837.61, fully funded by CMS/HHS.
Two funding opportunities are available:
- Food Aggregation – Build or expand systems that connect local farmers to larger buyers (schools, hospitals, retailers).
- Purchasing Strategy – Help institutions transition to buying more locally sourced, healthy foods.
Together, these funding opportunities strengthen Maryland’s local food system - supporting both the supply chain and institutional demand for locally produced, healthy food.
Eligible applicants include nonprofits, local governments, higher education institutions, and food system partners. Funding can support planning, infrastructure, equipment, and systems that strengthen local food access.
Applications are due May 15, 2026. Awards are expected be announced in August 2026.
Learn More - Information Session:
Date: Thursday, April 30, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: Online (Zoom Teleconference)
👉 Register to attend here
For additional information, please contact the Rural Maryland Council by email at rmc.mda@maryland.gov or by phone at (410) 841-5772.
