We support healthy communities by feeding bodies, filling hearts, and opening minds through transformational nutrition experiences.
From our focus on sourcing healthier options to ensuring our community partners are up-to-date on the latest ways to encourage healthy choices and eating, we’re taking a holistic approach to nutrition.
Nutrition is important at every stage of life, and we’ve got great programs and resources to help all of our neighbors in need make healthier choices and thrive.”
Kate Long
Maryland Food Bank, Nutrition Director
Our Focus on Nutrition Leads to Better Outcomes for Our Neighbors
We know that a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables is a basic building block for a healthy lifestyle. At the Maryland Food Bank, “Better Nutrition for a Healthier Maryland” isn’t just a slogan, it’s an underlying principal of MFB 3.0 and a thread that stitches together all of our efforts to help our neighbors in need. Simply put, nutrition is the primary lens through which we view our ability to uplift Maryland by expanding access to nutritious foods and creating pathways out of hunger for more Marylanders.
- Recipes & Resources
- Culturally Inclusive Crops
- Education/Demonstration Garden
- Farm To Food Bank
- Local Food Purchase Agreement (LFPA)
- Supporting Wellness at Pantries (SWAP)
Recipes & Resources
When neighbors make healthy choices, they have a better opportunity to thrive.
As part of our nutrition education efforts, we keep a robust, regularly updated page full of recipes and tips for eating healthy on a budget, managing chronic disease, seasonal nutrition ideas, and much more.
Culturally Inclusive Crops
All Marylanders deserve access to fresh fruits and vegetables, no matter where they come from, or where they currently are.
That’s why we’re partnering with statewide organizations like the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, the Around the Bay Alliance, and growers in Baltimore City to ensure that every neighbor can use familiar produce as they cook at home with their families.
Additionally, a grant from Feeding America’s Food Security Equity Impact Fund means that we can further address the root causes of hunger by investing in Communities of Color.
Read More Around the Bay Alliance
Education/Demonstration Garden
This 5,000-sq-ft. outdoor living classroom offers nutrition education opportunities at our Baltimore location.
Schoolchildren, Network Partners, and FoodWorks chefs learn farming techniques, where food comes from, a variety of sustainability efforts, and more.
“This trip to the Education Garden fits together with getting a bigger picture of what the Maryland Food Bank does, not just seeing a truck drop off food for us. They see not only the food bank’s main location, but the other things that the food bank does with nutrition, getting the word out with how it all comes together in a more global picture, rather than just the view from our pantry.” – Jenni Sparks, Brush Arbor Ministry
Farm To Food Bank
The Farm to Food Bank Program encourages Maryland farmers to partner with us through field gleanings, donations, and contract growing.
Our 50+ statewide farm partners provide millions of pounds of nutritious fruits & vegetables to hungry Marylanders every year.
Local Food Purchase Agreement
The LFPA allows us to keep more nutritious food grown by local farmers, ranchers, and watermen here in Maryland.
This state-funded program connects our hungry neighbors with fresh local food including produce, proteins, and more.
Additionally, a Food Security Equity Impact grant from Feeding America will help us deepen relationships with local organizations that work towards food justice and equitable access efforts.
Supporting Wellness at Pantries (SWAP)
SWAP helps ensure hungry Marylanders have the knowledge to make healthier choices at our partner pantries.
It also guides how we source the food we distribute to our statewide network of partners.
Nutrition by the Numbers
In FY22, our focus on sourcing and distributing fresh fruits and vegetables gave more Marylanders, including schoolchildren, the fuel to thrive!
13M
Pounds of Fresh Produce Distributed
46%
of kids say hunger hurts their performance
59
Farm to Food Bank Partners
People just need to be educated about nutrition. I find that sometimes parents can be a challenge, but kids are always willing to listen and try.”
Amy Cawley
Maryland Food Bank, Farm To Food Bank Coordinator
Watching Out for Nutrition
Check out our latest nutrition education videos.
Supporting MFB & Local Farmers Through the Local Food Purchase Agreement – Press Conference
Supporting Wellness at Pantries (SWAP) Pantry Tour
MFB’s Farm to Food Bank Program: Nutritious Food for Hungry Marylanders
MFB’s Transformative Nutrition Efforts Continue
Latest Nutrition News
Stay up to date on the latest nutrition news from the Maryland Food Bank.
Culturally Inclusive Crops Bring Nutrition, Familiarity to Neighbors in Need
Our Culturally Inclusive Crop Program provides neighbors in need with familiar, culturally relevant foods, that not only ease the burden of acquiring fresh produce (which can be prohibitively costly, if it is available at all), but also encourages healthier eating choices.
Right Sizing Our School Pantry Program
Starting with the 2023-24 school year, we’re right-sizing our School Pantry partnerships to produce better outcomes for our neighbors.
How Neighbor Voice is Helping Improve Our Back Up Boxes
We’re using feedback from our neighbors to improve our successful Back Up Box (BUB) program. Find out how neighbor voice is helping drive change in Maryland.
We Need Your Help
Programs, campaigns, and educational outreach at the Maryland Food Bank has always relied on the philanthropic support of charitable individuals like you.
Much like our food distribution efforts, outreach activities at the Maryland Food Bank rely on generous donations of money and time.
We hope you’ll consider a contribution.
