{"id":29411,"date":"2025-10-30T16:12:05","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T20:12:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=29411"},"modified":"2025-10-31T11:33:27","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T15:33:27","slug":"maryland-department-of-agriculture-and-maryland-market-money-offering-enhanced-benefits-for-families-and-farmers-during-federal-shutdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2025\/10\/30\/maryland-department-of-agriculture-and-maryland-market-money-offering-enhanced-benefits-for-families-and-farmers-during-federal-shutdown\/","title":{"rendered":"Maryland Department of Agriculture and Maryland Market Money Offering Enhanced Benefits for Families and Farmers During Federal Shutdown"},"content":{"rendered":"

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ANNAPOLIS, MD (October 30, 2025)<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 In response to Thursday\u2019s\u00a0State of Emergency Declaration<\/a>\u00a0by Governor Wes Moore to address the economic impacts of the federal government shutdown and help deliver resources to support Marylanders’ who rely on SNAP benefits, the\u00a0Maryland Department of Agriculture<\/strong>\u00a0is implementing an emergency initiative to help Maryland families and farmers weather this period of uncertainty. The\u00a0Maryland Market Money Bridge Benefit <\/strong>is a short-term enhancement to the department\u2019s existing\u00a0Maryland Market Money<\/a>\u00a0program, which provides matching funds for purchases made with federal nutrition benefits at farmers markets, farm stands, and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs statewide.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Through this temporary measure, SNAP customers who experience declined or unavailable transactions at participating markets will receive $20 in Maryland Market Money tokens per household per market day to purchase SNAP eligible food directly from local farmers and producers.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cMaryland is committed to ensuring that no family goes hungry, especially during times of federal disruption,\u201d said\u00a0Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks<\/strong>. \u201cThe MMM Bridge Benefit builds on the success of Maryland Market Money by using its existing statewide infrastructure to bridge the gap for families facing food insecurity, while ensuring that Maryland farmers continue to earn income through direct sales.\u201d<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

The MMM Bridge Benefit program will operate through more than 50 participating Maryland Market Money Food Access Points, which collectively serve over 700 Maryland farmers and food producers. This response will help maintain continuity of food access and support the state\u2019s local food economy at a time when both are critically needed.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

How It Works:<\/span><\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n