Food as Medicine Grant Program

This program funds innovative initiatives that screen pediatric patients for food insecurity and provide nutritious food and food education services. It addresses critical gaps in nutrition security and diet-related health challenges while increasing access to culturally diverse, medically relevant, nutritious, and locally produced food for children and families in underserved communities. 

FY26 Food as Medicine Grant Program

The Office of Food Systems Resilience (OFSR) and the Office of Grants Management (OGM) are soliciting applications for the FY 2026 Food as Medicine Grant Program. $750,000 in total grant funding will be available to support healthcare and clinic-led Food as Medicine programs that increase access to culturally diverse, medically-relevant, nutritious, and locally produced food for Montgomery County households screening positive for food insecurity that include at least one child aged 0-18 and include a parent and/or child who have a current diagnosis of diet-related disease. 

Resources for Applicants

FY25 Food as Medicine Grant Program

The FY25 Food as Medicine Grant awarded $750,000 total to six Food as Medicine partnerships, including Montgomery County-based pediatric primary care healthcare providers, school-based health and wellness centers, food assistance program operators, nutrition educators, and local farm partners. With these awards, the funded programs are anticipated to offer medically tailored food assistance and nutrition education to more than 700 unique Montgomery County households over the one-year program period, and screen a total of 1,500 or more pediatric patients for food insecurity and diet-related disease. Additionally, these programs are well-integrated with the County’s local agricultural sector and food assistance provider network and achieve a systems-focused approach to addressing pediatric health concerns through food access. FY25 Food as Medicine Grant program awardees are listed below.

  • Adventist Healthcare - $200,000
    • Mary's Center, Mercy Clinic and the Muslim Community Center Clinic, Manna Food Center, One Acre Farm, Giant Food, Manna Food Center. 
  • AfriThrive, Inc. - $150,000
    • The School-Based Health and Wellness Centers at Harmony Hills Elementary School, Viers Mill Elementary School and Kennedy High School, Manna Food Center, Capital Area Food Bank. 
  • Community Health and Empowerment through Education and Research - $150,000
    • The School-Based Health and Wellness Centers at New Hampshire Estates Elementary School, Rolling Terrace Elementary School and JoAnn Leleck Elementary School, Community FarmShare, Hungry Harvest and Crossroads Farmers Market. 
  • Holy Cross Health Center, Gaithersburg - $150,000
    • Community FarmShare. 
  • Mid-County United Ministries, Inc. - $50,000
    • The School-Based Health and Wellness Center at Wheaton High School, Manna Food Center, the Hub at Hughes United Methodist Church, Community FarmShare, Sligo Creek Farms LLC, Holy Cross Health. 
  • Vietnamese American Services, Inc. - $50,000​
    • The School-Based Health and Wellness Center at Weller Road Elementary School, Community FarmShare, Community Engagement and Consultation Group. 

Mid-Cycle Impact

Resources for Grantees

FY24 Food as Medicine Grant Program

The FY24 Food as Medicine Grant awarded $449,337 total to five Food as Medicine partnerships, including two County-wide health systems, one Montgomery Cares for Kids clinic site, and four MCPS School-Based Health and Wellness Centers, each of which will source fresh foods from various County-based farmers. These programs build capacity amongst pediatric healthcare providers to screen patients for food insecurity and connect identified children and families with nutritious, locally-grown, and culturally relevant produce and shelf-stable food items on a weekly or biweekly basis. Program participants will also have access to nutrition education programming and resources that are intended to offer guidance to families in choosing healthy food options. FY24 Food as Medicine Grant program awardees are listed below.

Impact

Through this program, 1,796 children were screened for food insecurity, 427 hourseholds were engaged in nutrition education, and over 93,000 pounds of food was distributed to families in need. 

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Resources for Grantees

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