Montgomery County announced that its FY24 Resident and Community Food Gardening Grants Program recently awarded $200,000 to seven community-based organizations. These grants will support efforts aimed at expanding local food production, access to gardening and small-scale agriculture, with more than 1,800 residents expected to participate in these funding programs.
“Funds were provided to the following organizations, and each organization explained how they will use the grant funds,” according to a news release.
AfriThrive: Expanding the “Advancing Culturally Appropriate Foods” program to a new location at Kemp Mill Elementary School. This expansion will diversify crop selection and availability and provide more educational and technical assistance opportunities for participants. Community Food Forest Collective: Increase the amount of land under production within the Montgomery County Food Forest network, including Montgomery College Takoma Park Campus and Takoma Park Elementary School. Strengthening partnerships with community-based organizations to get this food to residents. Community Health and Empowerment through Education and Research (CHEER): Expanding the Neighborhood Gardening program to add three locations and engaging new members of the Long Branch Gardeners group. Islamic Center of Maryland (ICM): Expanding production of culturally appropriate herbs, fruits, and vegetables in the center’s community garden, while also providing educational opportunities through participation in the center’s children’s program. Harvested produce will be donated to the ICMCares Social Services Food Pantry program. Shepherd's Table: Provides electricity to a greenhouse behind Progress Place in Silver Spring to grow crops year-round that provide more than 180,000 meals a year at Shepherd's Table Charles Coyner Urban Agriculture Center: Expands the community-based educational farm at A. Mario Leuderman Middle School to support food access for Wheaton families People's Community Baptist Church: Expands the garden to provide youth members of the predominantly Black church community the opportunity to grow and harvest organically grown fruits, vegetables, herbs and edible flowers.
These funded projects promote food sovereignty, nutritional security, and climate change mitigation by allowing residents to build community by growing and harvesting their own food and experience new ways to support a more sustainable, local food system. Residents participating in the proposed projects – many of whom may be food insecure, including students, seniors, people with disabilities, and children – will have the opportunity to grow culturally significant foods that meet their unique needs, such as curry leaves, coriander, figs, and peppers. Granted projects support partnerships with faith-based organizations, education institutions, and housing initiatives, representing the diverse and multifaceted impacts of this investment.
“Our commitment to local food production and access goes beyond just growing food,” said County Mayor Marc Elrich. “It's about building resilient communities, improving public health and fostering a deeper connection to the environment. These grants will help thousands of residents who have had significant barriers to accessing nutritious, culturally valuable foods. By supporting these innovative projects, we are empowering residents to take control of their food sources and contribute to a sustainable future for Montgomery County.”
Grant applications were evaluated by a five-person expert committee coordinated by the Office of Food Systems Resilience, and grant awards were based on applicants’ demonstrated ability to provide residents with community gardening supplies and space, promote equitable food production and food education opportunities, and increase the supply of culturally appropriate foods within the local food system.
This grant program is supported by Special Budget No. 24-37, which was unanimously passed by the County Council in December 2023 at the request of the County Mayor and allocates more than $11 million for new and expanded programs aligned with the recommendations of the Strategic Plan to End Childhood Hunger. These grants address child hunger by increasing localized food production, improving access to preferred foods, and promoting food production and nutrition education opportunities for youth.
“The Gardening Grants Program was initially launched as part of the County's COVID-19 pandemic response but has since expanded significantly to engage a diverse network of residents and community organizations,” said Montgomery County Food System Resilience Director Heather Bruskin. “These efforts not only increase access to nutritious food, but also directly benefit the long-term health of our communities and natural resources.”
To learn more about this grant program and other opportunities to get involved in local food gardening efforts, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/OFSR .”
