Food is Medicine interventions integrate nutritious food, through programs such as medically tailored meals and produce prescriptions, into clinical care to prevent and treat chronic, diet-related diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
The Maryland Department of Health is currently funding opportunities for community organizations to implement the program, offering high-quality, culturally appropriate produce prescriptions to stem and prevent chronic disease and address food insecurity in high-poverty communities.
How It Works:
A produce prescription is a medical treatment for a diet-related condition, such as high blood pressure. Upon determining that produce (fruit and vegetables) is an appropriate and impactful intervention for a condition, a provider or other professional would “prescribe” produce to a patient. Through the prescribed medical nutrition, the patient will receive free produce to add to their daily meals.
The State is currently establishing the program by looking to local leaders and stakeholders for the most impactful ways to implement ProduceRx to meet the needs of a particular community, with a focus on regions where high childhood poverty rates call for tailored, local solutions.
ProduceRX in Your Community: Intended Awardees
The Maryland Department of Health intends to make the following awards through the MDH Population Health Improvement Fund (PHIF). These are intended awards and are subject to completion of all applicable requirements and execution of grant agreements.
| Intended Award Recipient: Lead Applicant | Geographic Region Served | Award Amount |
| Capital Area Food Bank | Montgomery County (Long Branch & Central Gaithersburg); Prince George's County (East Riverdale/Adelphi, Langley Park, District Heights, Suitland, Hillcrest Heights, Marlow Heights, Greater Landover)
| $1,700,000 |
| University of Maryland Capital Region | Prince George's County (East Riverdale/Adelphi, District Heights, Suitland, Greater Landover) | $500,000 |
| Hopkins Community Connection | Baltimore City ENOUGH communities (Brooklyn, Cherry Hill, Druid Heights, Upton, Sandtown -Winchester, Greater Greenmount, Greater Mondawmin, McElderry Park, Belair Edison, Park Heights, Oldtown, New Northwood, Curtis Bay, Waverly) and Baltimore City ENOUGH-eligible communities (see https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/8b24a4ffb5ee4670af96d7b174c1933b/) | $950,000 |
| Baltimore City Health Department | Baltimore City ENOUGH communities (Brooklyn, Cherry Hill, Druid Heights, Upton, Sandtown -Winchester, Greater Greenmount, Greater Mondawmin, McElderry Park, Belair Edison, Park Heights, Oldtown, New Northwood, Curtis Bay, Waverly) and Baltimore City ENOUGH-eligible communities (see https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/8b24a4ffb5ee4670af96d7b174c1933b/) | $1,850,000 |
| AfriThrive | Baltimore County (Essex) | $250,000 |
| Deep Launching | Charles County (Waldorf) | $1,000,000 |
| Dorchester Health Department | Dorchester County (Cambridge/South Dorchester & Hurlock) | $700,000 |
| Center for a Healthy Maryland | Caroline and Dorchester Counties (Federalsburg) | $400,000 |
| American Nutrition Alliance | Washington County (South End Hagerstown) | $800,000 |
| UM College Park | Allegany County (South Penn & John Humbird) | $260,000 |
| City of Frederick | Frederick County (Route 40/Golden Mile) | $900,000 |
| SEICO | Anne Arundel County (Bay Ridge Gardens) | $250,000 |
| Anne Arundel County Partnership for Children, Youth & Families | Anne Arundel County (Brooklyn Park) | $250,000 |
| Harford Health Department | Harford County (Edgewood & Aberdeen) | $190,000 |
This page will be updated with brief summaries of the programs and information on how to receive services through each program as information becomes finalized.
