Our Impact

 

COVID-19 Emergency Food Assistance Provider Capacity Building Grants: Report on Key Findings and Impact

This report summarizes the COVID-19 Emergency Food Assistance Provider Capacity Building Grants, including their impact, key findings, and metrics. This grant program invested over 1.2 million dollars in food security efforts across 28 organizations throughout Montgomery County.  Created and administered through a partnership of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, the Montgomery County Food Council, the Healthcare Initiative Foundation, and the Greater Washington Community Foundation, this grant program was designed to improve the ability of food assistance organizations to respond to food insecurity caused or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funding for this program  was made available under the Federal CARES Act as appropriated by the Montgomery County Executive and County Council, the Community Food Rescue mini-grants program, and the private philanthropic donations through the Food for Montgomery Fund at the Greater Washington Community Foundation. Thank you to our supporters for making this work possible!

2020 Annual Report

The Montgomery County Food Council is excited to share with you our 2020 Annual Report, which highlights our recent accomplishments building a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable local food system that is healthy for our community, economy, and environment.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Food Council has served as co-lead to the Montgomery County Food Security Task Force, coordinating over $23 million dollars in innovative and collaborative food access strategies including five grant-making programs that funded over $2.8 million total in food security initiatives, a Farm to Foodbank Program purchasing nutritious produce from 22 local farms, expansion of SNAP outreach and farmers market benefits, and direct support of over 120 food assistance provider organizations. The collective impact of food security initiatives Countywide during the pandemic has been an inspiration, and the Food Council has been honored for the opportunity to connect, build the capacity of, and facilitate the collaboration of over 585 businesses, government agency, nonprofit, and community advocate partners in this critical emergency response effort.

Thank you to our many community partners who make these collective successes fighting hunger, creating economic opportunity, protecting our natural resources, and supporting residents across our community possible.

Montgomery County COVID-19 Emergency Food Access Grants Impact Report

This grant program was implemented by the Food Security Task Force via a partnership between the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, the Montgomery County Food Council, and the Healthcare Initiative Foundation.  The $1.2 million in funding for the program was appropriated by the Montgomery County Council to increase food access to county residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, including funding for partnerships with ethnic grocers to increase availability of culturally appropriate food assistance.

This report outlines the tremendous positive impact on food security in our community made by the 38 nonprofit initiatives that received grant funding in May 2020, and shares highlights of the collaboration, innovation, and lessons learned through this COVID-19 response program.

Food Security Community Advisory Board Impact Report

The Food Council launched the Food Security Community Advisory Board (FSCAB) in December 2018 to directly engage residents with lived experience of food insecurity as food access resource navigators, advocates, and leaders in their communities.

The diverse community voices of these County residents are critical to developing programs and policies directed by the expertise of those who have been most marginalized by our food system. The expertise contributed by Board members is essential to assessing food security programs in the County and identifying food access barriers that remain to be addressed. This report highlights the tremendous impact that FSCAB members have made on food security initiatives and advocacy in our community. We are honored to uplift the recommendations of Board members for key policy changes that nonprofits, government agencies, and individual residents should implement as our community works collectively towards a more food secure Montgomery County.

Food Council Achievements Report, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a food access crisis in Montgomery county and throughout the region, deepening inequalities in our local food system as unemployment and small businesses closures rose, and illuminating and intensifying health disparities. Montgomery County has seen an estimated 50% increase in the number of residents accessing food assistance services, from 60,000 pre-pandemic to over 100,000 residents currently. The Food Council has been leading the response efforts, convening thousands of community partners to collaboratively and effectively address the increase increase need.

Upcoming Events

Mar 18

March Food Security Community Call

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Mar 19

2024 Food Summit

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), in conjunction with Towson University, is hosting a Food Summit on March 19, 2024 at Towson University.

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Mar 20

Food System Advocacy Community Call

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Apr 11

Statewide Trainings for Farmers Market Nutrition Program

The Maryland Department of Agriculture today announced it will host its first round of trainings throughout the state for the Farmers Market Nutrition Program. The program provides fresh, unprepared, locally-grown fruits and vegetables to WIC and Senior participants and expands the awareness, use, and sales of such products at farmers markets.

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Apr 22

SSL Earth Day Opportunity

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Apr 27

Montgomery County Green Fest

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