Engage with your community and local food system at these upcoming events in October 2026! See our events page for a full list of Food Council and partner events.
County Level
Breakfast with Balcombe
October 3rd I 10:00 am -12:00 pm I Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department I 19801 Beallsville Road, Beallsville, MD 20839
Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe will be hosting an advocacy breakfast. Stop by any time between 10AM and noon to chat in an informal community setting. Registration is not required.
Nonprofit Partner Offerings
Annual CCACC Health Fair
October 3rd I 10:00am – 1:00pm
9298 Gaither Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20877, USA
Community members will receive FREE health screenings, consultation services, and health information exhibits featuring federal and local government agencies, community service providers, and other health-related organizations. Everyone is welcome to participate without registration.
Maryland Hunger Solutions’ Specialized SNAP Training
October 5 I 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
This specialized virtual SNAP training will introduce an overview of SNAP for college students. Join to learn more about the SNAP eligibility requirements, the application process, and common challenges. They will also share practical strategies for navigating the program, and additional support resources, with opportunity for Q & A. Register here.
North American Food Systems Network, Finding Your Future In Food Systems
October 6 I 6pm (virtual)
Are you an emerging food systems professional? Are you in a career transition, seeking a job in community food work? This series is for you! Finding Your Future in Food Systems provides participants with connections and insights to help them identify next steps in their careers. The series features speakers from job-creating organizations, agencies, and businesses, some working locally, others with national or international scope. Produced by college students for college students and others. Register here.
Composting Made Easy Workshop
October 10 I 10:00am – 12:00pm
Join HarvestShare and Kathy Vazquez for a free composting workshop. Ms. Vazquez is the Commercial Food Scraps Recycling Program Manager for Montgomery County’s Department of Environmental Protection — Recycling and Resource Management Division. The workshop will be in Potomac near the intersection of Democracy and Falls Road. The address will be provided to those who sign up a week before as it’s a private residence. Register here.
Help Shape Nutrition Services in Maryland Medicaid
Input due by October 14, by 5pm
The Maryland Department of Health is exploring how to build food and nutrition services into Maryland’s Medicaid program and wants your input! Maryland Department of Health plans to use In Lieu of Services and Settings (ILOS) authority to meet health-related medical needs with programs such as medically tailored meals and produce prescriptions for eligible Medicaid enrollees beginning in 2028. Medicaid enrollees, providers, community leaders, and stakeholders are encouraged to submit feedback using the Request for Information (RFI) form available here.
Fall Food Festival 2026, 10/24, 2-5pm
Community food festival at the Montgomery College Food Forest; celebrate cooking from the garden’s bounty with Community Food Forest Collective! Silver Spring, MD. More info here.
Maryland Eastern Shore Extension’s Small Farm Conference, 10/23-10/24
Princess Anne, MD. More info here.
Apply for Free and Reduced-price Meals (FARMS) Today
The FARMs application is available online now. Households meeting federal income standards are eligible for free school meals, but must apply to receive this benefit. Students enrolled at these 60 schools receive breakfast and lunch at no cost. Please submit the online FARMS application through MySchoolApps (translations available). For more information about additional benefits, how to videos, and frequently asked questions, visit the Department of Food and Nutrition Services website.
2025 Montgomery County Regional Collaborative Community Health Improvement Plan Healthy Montgomery has released their final 2025 Community Health Improvement Plan. This guide can be used for planning, collaboration, and community outreach within your organization. Please share the plan with partners, staff, and networks that can help advance its goals and strengthen coordinated efforts across Montgomery County. Access the document here.
Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) Hunger Report 2026
The annual CAFB Hunger Report which reviews the state of food security in the DMV has been released. Learn more and access the report here.