Office of Food Systems Resilience Quarterly Newsletter: December 2024

Office of Food Systems Resilience | Quarterly Newsletter | December 2024

 

As the holiday season approaches, the Office of Food Systems Resilience (OFSR) is reflecting on the opportunities we have had to connect with partners and community members over the past year through transformative grant programs, outreach and engagement events, and site visits to food system operations all across the County and region. We are looking to the new year with a continued focus on collaboration and community empowerment in all OFSR initiatives. Read on for a recap of our recent successes and community connections building a better food system in Montgomery County!

Group picture of the OFSR team during a team building lunch

• FY25 Community Food Assistance Grant Program
• Grant Reviewer Luncheon
• Upcoming Funding Opportunities
• Connect With Us: Community Conversations
• OFSR in the Community
• MCG Interagency Spotlight
• Important Updates

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FY25 Community Food Assistance Grant Program

In October, the FY25 Community Food Assistance (CFA) Grant Program awarded $3,699,500 across 49 food assistance provider organizations to support the purchase and distribution of shelf-stable foods, produce, and/or prepared meals to Montgomery County residents. Through the CFA grants, awardees either received direct cash grants to promote flexible, culturally relevant food sourcing from wholesale or retail outlets, or credits to order produce, shelf-stable products, and other nutritious food items through partnerships with Manna Food Center and Capital Area Food Bank. The list of awarded organizations can be found on our website.

The organizations funded through the CFA program are anticipated to collectively reach approximately 165,000 Montgomery County residents through their monthly or more frequent food distributions. Recent data indicators (such as the Capital Area Food Bank’s 2024 Hunger Report) point to a continued increase in food insecurity amongst local households, and this investment will expand access to food in zip-codes throughout Montgomery County, including those that align with Montgomery Planning’s Equity Focus Areas. Funded organizations will report on a monthly basis to provide insight on the clients and communities being served; data that the OFSR and our partners will leverage to close food access gaps and serve residents more effectively and efficiently.

Grant Reviewer Luncheon

(Top) OFSR Program Manager, Catherine Nardi, presenting to grant reviewers during luncheon, (Bottom) Group picture of the grant reviewers and OFSR team members 

The OFSR hosted a luncheon to show our appreciation for the incredible partners that served as grant reviewers throughout 2024. OFSR engaged 11 agencies and 45 reviewers this year. The various Review Committees throughout the year included representatives from:

• The Montgomery County Food Council
• Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services
• Montgomery County Public Schools
• Montgomery County Office of Agriculture
• Montgomery Parks
• UMD-Extension SNAP Education Program 
• Capital Area Food Bank
• Manna Food Center
• Montgomery County Office of Management and Budget
• Montgomery County Office of Community Partnerships
• Montgomery County Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice

Sharing a meal and celebrating their dedication was the perfect way to wrap up a year of high-impact, high-reach programming!

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Upcoming Funding Opportunities

FY25 Food as Medicine Grant Program (Anticipated Launch: January 2025): The FY25 Food as Medicine Program will solicit grant applications from qualified healthcare provider organizations that offer pediatric primary care services to underserved populations in Montgomery County. This grant funding is available for innovative programs that increase access to culturally diverse, medically relevant, nutritious, and locally produced food for Montgomery County children and households with children ages 0-18 that are currently experiencing diet related health challenges and at risk of experiencing food insecurity. 

FY25 SNAP Outreach Grant Program (Anticipated Launch: March 2025): The FY25 SNAP Outreach Program will solicit grant applications for qualified state-designated community-based organizations (CBOs) to conduct Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) outreach and application and enrollment assistance to Montgomery County families with children. These programs reach Montgomery County families that are eligible, but not yet enrolled in SNAP.

Please sign up for updates through the County’s Office of Grants Management to receive details on all of the programs above.

Connect With Us: Community Conversations

Have questions about grants, data collection, or operational challenges? 🤔

Join us for Community Conversations! These 15-minute sessions are your chance to connect with Montgomery County’s Office of Food Systems Resilience staff for support and guidance. 💡

📅 Sign up now via the QR code or using this link! #MontgomeryCounty

OFSR Community Conversations flier directing grantees to sign up for times to connect with the OFSR staff

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OFSR in the Community

A Visit with Nourish Now 

Nourish Now volunteers assembling food bags in the warehouse for delivery to schools

Nourish Now is tackling hunger head-on by rescuing and redistributing food from grocery stores, institutions, and restaurants to support Montgomery County residents. Nourish Now also supports seven MCPS schools through the OFSR’s School-Based Food Assistance Grant Program.

Celebrating Food System Resiliency at the MoCo MicroHub

The OFSR, the Office of Agriculture, the County Executive, County Councilmembers, and various community partners at the MicroHub ribbon cutting

The OFSR joined the Office of Agriculture, the County Executive, County Councilmembers: Dawn Luedtke, Laurie-Anne Sayles, and Marilyn Balcombe, representatives of the Montgomery County Food Council, the Greater Washington Community Foundation, Washington Gas, and other community partners at the ribbon cutting for Montgomery County’s new “MicroHub” cold storage space at the Agricultural History Farm Park. This essential resource will allow local farmers to store surplus crops, meaning more fresh, local produce can be available to our community.

Compost Education Hub Ribbon Cutting 

The OFSR, the County Executive, Office of Agriculture, and community leaders at the composting education hub ribbon cutting

The OFSR joined the County Executive, Office of Agriculture, Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Eco City Farms, and community leaders for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new composting education hub, which will collect food scraps from and provide rich compost to the Montgomery County Master Gardeners’ demo garden at the Agricultural History Farm Park.

Crossroads' 1 Millionth Fresh Check

Crossroads 1 million fresh checks event

We celebrated Crossroads Farmers Market as they hit a monumental milestone: $1 million in Fresh Checks matching dollars distributed to over 26,000 families in the Takoma/Langley Crossroads since 2007, representing a $2 million investment in our community and local farmers.

Volunteering at Nourishing Bethesda

County Councilmember Gabe Albornoz snapping a selfie with the Nourishing Bethesda team and the OFSR team

Thanks to the Nourishing Bethesda team for including the OFSR as volunteers at their Thanksgiving food distribution! A total of 700 Thanksgiving dinner packages-- which included options like sweet potatoes, onions, and other fresh produce, as well as a choice of pie, whole chickens, and shelf-stable sides like stuffing and cranberry sauce—were distributed in a market-style format to neighbors all across the Bethesda area, ensuring a bountiful Thanksgiving dinner for families experiencing food insecurity.

Getting Our Hands Dirty at Pope Farm Conservancy

The OFSR team digging up sweet potato greens and sweet potatoes at Pope Farm in Gaithersburg

The OFSR joined Montgomery Parks to harvest sweet potatoes and sweet potato greens while learning about sustainable farming practices at Grown@Pope Community Farm in Gaithersburg. Our teams connected over regenerative agriculture and equitable land access while digging into the earth. 

Professional Advisors Annual Fall Luncheon

The OFSR attending a luncheon hosted by the Greater Washington Community Foundation at Red Wiggler Farm

The OFSR attended a luncheon hosted by the Greater Washington Community Foundation at Red Wiggler Farm, highlighting the programs being led by community partners like the Montgomery County Food Council, Community FarmShare, Crossroads Community Food Network, and AfriThrive, to increase access to culturally relevant foods amongst Montgomery County residents.

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MCG Interagency Spotlight

Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

Graphic listing the dos and don'ts at food scraps recycling drop-offs 

Photo Credit: Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection

DEP has launched its Food Scraps Recycling Drop-Offs at four farmers markets throughout the County. Stop by the Bethesda Central Farm Market, Derwood Market, Olney Farmers and Artists Market, or the FreshFarm Downtown Silver Spring Market during normal operating hours to drop off your food scraps at no additional cost!  

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Important Updates

Stay informed on new MD bills and legislative hearings here.

The OFSR is on social! Follow us here.

The OFSR has recently updated website pages! Start here.

Meet the OFSR staff including our newest team members here! 

The OFSR team taking a picture with the Nourish Now team in front of their bright blue food delivery van

Questions? Please contact Catherine Nardi at catherine.nardi@montgomerycountymd.gov.