The Food Education Working Group’s (formerly the Food Literacy Working Group) mission is to improve the eating habits of those who live, work, or play in Montgomery County.

We implement this goal through advocacy and education on:

  • healthy food choices, particularly in school settings and for vulnerable populations such as seniors,
  • cooking skills,
  • food safety,
  • food marketing, and
  • participation in the local, sustainable food system.

Working Group Initiatives

Food Literacy Assessment

The Food Literacy Assessment includes data on the resources offered by more than 100 community stakeholders, including, but not limited to, food assistance providers, hospital wellness representatives, faith-based organizations, garden education providers, culinary and nutrition educators.

The FEdWG’s goal is for this assessment to be used to identify food literacy gaps, better allocate resources, strengthen collaboration and resource sharing among providers, and advocate for an increase in and improvement of food education programs in the County.

The Future of Food Education in Montgomery County

In December 2019, the Food Council hosted “The Future of Food Education in Montgomery County,” to convene more than 70 food system stakeholders, food educators, and County policymakers to discuss the food literacy needs in our community. Recommendations that resulted from the discussion included:

  • Enhanced data collection and evaluation amongst food education providers
  • Engaging public and private sector food education and food service providers (including schools and hospitals)
  • Addressing equity and justice in food education
  • Advocating for increased government and private sector support of food education initiatives

Research

Upcoming Events

Jul 13

July Food Security Community Call

The Food Council’s Food Security Calls are designed for learning, information-sharing and network building.

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Jul 25

2026 Annual Farm Tour & Harvest Sale

Explore participating farms located across Montgomery County at the Annual Farm Tour.

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Jul 27

2026 Buy Local Celebration

Whether you're a foodie, a supporter of regional agriculture, or a local business looking to make an impact, this event is for you!

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Aug 6

Maryland Food System Resiliency Council Meeting

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.

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Aug 25

SNAP Work Group

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.

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Sep 14

September Food Security Community Call

The Food Council’s Food Security Calls are designed for learning, information-sharing and network building.

Learn more