The Montgomery County Food Council is a nonprofit organization that serves as the primary connection point for businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and residents around food system issues in our County. We bring together over 2,000 local and regional partners in community-wide education, advocacy, and capacity building initiatives. Our work cultivates a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable local food system by enhancing food access for the over 100,000 at risk for hunger, expanding food education opportunities for all residents, supporting our County’s farms and food and beverage businesses, and addressing the impact of local food production, distribution, consumption and recycling on our natural resources.
Our Mission
MCFC builds an equitable, resilient and sustainable local food system through collaboration, transformation, and cultivation.
Our Vision
MCFC envisions a vibrant and equitable food system that is healthy for our community, economy, and environment.
The backbone of our work is our four Working Groups: Food Security, Increased Local Food Procurement, Equitable Land Access, and Food Advocacy. We are an active participant in urban and rural policy and process change, leading the way to a more healthful and sustainable community by bringing together producers, retailers, consumers, and educators in a coordinated effort to address the broad range of issues surrounding food and food sourcing in our county. The Food Council engages constituents with the local food system through job opportunities, volunteer projects, and purchasing practices, and educates Montgomery County residents and institutions to promote a greater awareness of the entire food cycle: where food comes from, where it ends up, and its social, environmental, and economic impacts.
On December 20, 2010, eighty-six Maryland stakeholders held a three-hour community conversation at Montgomery County’s Agricultural History Farm Park. It was a diverse gathering of concerned residents and local leaders who sat down together and discussed the outline of a bold vision for a Sustainable Community Food System Initiative for Montgomery County. The stakeholders included experienced and new farmers, county government officials, nonprofit leaders, community activists, and business entrepreneurs from companies large and small.
It was determined that the appropriate next step was to create a Food Policy Council for Montgomery County.
Subsequent follow-up meetings were convened to establish an advisory board, finalize the Office of the County Executive funding to create the Food Council, and hire a Coordinator.
The Montgomery County Food Council was officially launched in February 2012. Its 25 current Council Members broadly represent the food system both substantively and geographically, and include chef restaurateurs, food entrepreneurs, and representatives of local government, non-profits, and business. As of September, 2018 the Food Council is an independent 501(c) 3, non-profit organization.
Apr 28
The SNAP Work Group includes organizations that provide nutrition benefits enrollment assistance to residents, the Montgomery County Office of Eligibility and Support Services, and other groups that serve residents with low-income.
Apr 28
Learn the practical steps that help you decide whether—or how—to take your food idea to market.
Apr 30
The Maryland Food System Resiliency Council (FSRC) holds a public bi-weekly meeting with the Communication & Coordination Committee to monitor and discuss food systems bills during the 2026 Maryland General Assembly Session.
Apr 30
The Maryland Food System Resiliency Council (FSRC) holds a public bi-weekly meeting with the Communication & Coordination Committee to monitor and discuss food systems bills during the 2026 Maryland General Assembly Session.
May 11
The Food Council’s Food Security Calls are designed for learning, information-sharing and network building.
May 14
Join Food Council partners Manna Foods and Shepherd's Table for the Food Justice Coalition.
May 27
Join ICH for aJob Fair specifically designed for individuals at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness and those who are served by PSH and RRH programs.
Jun 8
The Food Council’s Food Security Calls are designed for learning, information-sharing and network building.
Jul 13
The Food Council’s Food Security Calls are designed for learning, information-sharing and network building.
Sep 14
The Food Council’s Food Security Calls are designed for learning, information-sharing and network building.