The southern maryland farmers market promotion program develops, coordinates and expands direct producer-to-consumer markets to help increase access to and availability of regionally produced…

The Tricounty Council For Southern Maryland was awarded a $787,197.32 Project Grant from the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service under the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP) to develop, coordinate and expand direct producer-to-consumer markets in Southern Maryland.

The Council will provide marketing support for local farmers markets and farm stands, conduct an annual Buy Local Challenge event, and offer volunteer coordinators and technical assistance trainings. The project will review Maryland's Market Money food access program with an advisory committee to evaluate expansion options and develop a new strategic plan focused on sustainability and technology upgrades. A targeted digital advertising campaign will connect nutrition benefit recipients with direct-to-consumer outlets accepting SNAP and FMNP benefits. The Council will also establish a Farmers Market Innovation and Capacity Building Program to provide technical assistance reducing administrative burdens and increasing revenues through branding, social media and healthy local foods promotion. The three-year project period began on September 30, 2021.

The southern maryland farmers market promotion program develops, coordinates and expands direct producer-to-consumer markets to help increase access to and availability of regionally produced agricultural products in the five counties of southern maryland (anne arundel, charles, calvert, prince george's and ST. Mary's.) the project provides print and digital marketing support for local farmers markets and farm stands in the region, an annual buy local challenge event, the provision of volunteer market coordinators and training & technical assistance for producers interested in cottage foods and acidified foods production. The project will undertake a full review of the maryland market money food access program with an advisory committee to evaluate and plan for expansion to socially disadvantaged, senior and veteran consumers and producers. A new strategic plan for maryland market money will focus on the continuation and sustainability of the program, and options for technology to replace the tokens and management systems used today. A highly targeted digital ad campaign will connect federal nutrition benefits shoppers to direct to consumer outlets including farmers markets, farm stands, on-farm markets, and csas that accept snap and fmnp benefits as payment. The project creates the southern maryland farmers market innovation and capacity building program to provide technical assistance to markets & producers to support the latest technology and reduce their administrative burden. IT provides technical assistance to enhance markets/producers' branding and social media efforts to increase farm and market revenues and promote healthy local foods to consumers throughout the region.