Maryland LFPA Plus Executive Summary

Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) will use LFPA-Plus funds to expand work begun under the first round of this Cooperative Agreement. MDA will contract with the Maryland Food Bank and the Capital Area Food Bank to strengthen the state’s food system resiliency. MDA will continue to support local and socially disadvantaged farmers through building their economic opportunities. MDA will also continue to broaden partnerships with seafood companies, watermen, farmers, and food distributors to provide food to those in need in the State. MDA will work to ensure distribution of fresh and nutritious food in rural and underserved communities. Additionally, MDA will continue to promote the sales of the invasive Chesapeake blue catfish to food banks, in a win-win-win for watermen, the Chesapeake Bay and clients of the food banks.