Maryland Department of Agriculture Launches Maryland Market Money Enhancement to Bridge the Gap for Families and Farmers During Federal Shutdown
In response to the State of Emergency Declaration by Governor Wes Moore to address the economic impacts of the federal government shutdown and help deliver resources to support Marylanders' health and welfare, the Maryland Department of Agriculture is implementing an emergency initiative to help Maryland families and farmers weather this period of uncertainty. The Maryland Market Money Bridge Benefit is a short-term enhancement to the department’s existing Maryland Market Money program, which provides matching funds for purchases made with federal nutrition benefits at farmers markets, farm stands, and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs statewide.
Through this temporary measure, SNAP customers who experience declined or unavailable transactions at participating markets will receive $20 in Maryland Market Money tokens per household per market day to purchase SNAP eligible food directly from local farmers and producers.
The MMM Bridge Benefit program will operate through more than 50 participating Maryland Market Money Food Access Points, which collectively serve over 700 Maryland farmers and food producers. This response will help maintain continuity of food access and support the state’s local food economy at a time when both are critically needed.
HOW IT WORKS
HOW IT WORKS
How It Works:
When a SNAP transaction is declined due to “no funds available” or “transaction declined,” market staff may issue $20 in MMM tokens per household per day.
Tokens may be redeemed for SNAP-eligible food items at participating vendors.
Regular MMM matching benefits will continue to operate as usual for approved SNAP, FMNP, and WIC transactions.
Note:
Some Maryland Market Money access points and county partners may offer additional support to supplement this emergency benefit, such as enhanced incentives or expanded local funding, depending on available resources.
This temporary intervention ensures that farmers markets and farm stands remain a reliable source of nutritious, locally grown food for Marylanders, and that producers continue to be compensated fairly for their goods.
MMM will continue to match Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), including Summer SUN Bucks and Pandemic/Disaster EBT, transactions as available and operate all standard incentive programs for eligible nutrition benefits, including the Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) and the Women, Infant, and Children Fruit & Vegetable Benefit (WIC-CVV/B), during the federal government shutdown.
The MMM Bridge Benefit represents MDA’s ongoing commitment to strengthening food system resilience and addressing food insecurity across the state. While the enhancement is a temporary measure, it reflects Maryland’s broader goal to ensure all residents have access to healthy, local food, in every community and under every circumstance.
What is a Food Access Point?
Food Access Points are simply how we refer to our participating farmers markets, farm stands, and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs. In other words, these are locations you can visit to match your federal nutrition benefits with Maryland Market Money.
What is a SNAP-Eligible Food?
SNAP-eligible foods include: fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, dairy, eggs, meat, poultry, fish, baked goods, vegetable plants, jams, pickles, syrup, and honey.
SNAP benefits can not be used to purchase: beer, wine, liquor, vitamins or supplements, prepared foods fit for immediate consumption, and hot foods.