Support Maryland Families During the Federal Shutdown - Donate Farm Goods to Local Food Banks
Dear Maryland’s Best Members, Maryland farmers and food producers,
As many of you are aware, the ongoing federal government shutdown has disrupted critical programs and support for Maryland families. One of the most significant impacts is the suspension of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which ordinarily helps more than 680,000 Marylanders put food on the table each month. This includes nearly 270,000 children, 130,000 people with disabilities, 120,000 seniors, and 30,000 unhoused individuals.
With federal benefits delayed or halted, food banks and community food providers across Maryland are experiencing a sharp rise in demand, and our farming and food business community is uniquely positioned to help.
To help ensure that Marylanders in need continue to have access to nutritious food, the Maryland Department of Agriculture is partnering with the Maryland Food Bank, the Capital Area Food Bank, and other regional food assistance organizations to coordinate donations of locally grown and produced food from Maryland farmers, watermen, and food businesses.
We are calling on Maryland’s Best members, Maryland farmers and food producers to consider donating farm products, including fruits, vegetables, proteins, milk, eggs, and other goods, to families in need through local and regional food banks. Even small contributions can make a meaningful difference.
Ways to Directly Support:
Donations to area food banks through the Maryland Food Bank, Capital Area Food Bank, or other food banks:
Andrew Miller, Sourcing Director
Maryland Food Bank
(443) 297-5151
Eleni Shepard, Food Sourcing Manager
Capital Area Food Bank
(202) 921-7479
Donations to existing partners or local nonprofits that provide food assistance
Providing alternative resources from your business (i.e. gift cards, food donations)
If your farm or business is planning to contribute, please fill out the Food Assistance Support Form to share your plans and contact information. This will help our team track statewide commitments and highlight how Maryland’s agricultural community is stepping up to support our neighbors during this challenging time.
If you are a farmer and would like to receive the tax credit benefit, please ask the organization to which you are making the donation to register as a Tax Credit Certificate Administrator. They can do so by filling out this form and sending it to marylands.best@maryland.gov. If the organization is already a registered Tax Credit Certificate Administrator, simply have them complete this form and submit it to the email mentioned above. Once the tax credit is approved, we will send you the approval letter via email.
We deeply appreciate the continued generosity, compassion, and leadership of Maryland producers. Together, we can help ensure that no Marylander goes hungry during this period of uncertainty.
For questions or coordination assistance, please contact:
Cristina Berthelot
Food Access Programs Manager
Maryland Department of Agriculture
(667) 204-0870
cristina.berthelot@maryland.gov
Learn more about Maryland’s Best here. Thank you for all that you do to nourish our state.