Subject
title
Authorize the City Manager to Execute the Maryland Market Money Program Memorandum of Understanding for the City of Rockville Farmers Market “Eat Fresh Rockville Program” with the Maryland Department of Agriculture.
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Department
Recreation & Parks
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Mayor and Council authorize the City Manager to execute the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to continue the City’s partnership in the Maryland Market Money program.
Discussion
The Eat Fresh Rockville program at the Rockville Farmers Market was established in 2013 in conjunction with the Maryland Market Money program. This program provides a dollar-for-dollar match (up to a designated amount per customer, per market) to customers using federal nutrition benefits at the market. These matching funds provide increased buying power to those experiencing food insecurity to be able to purchase quality and nutritious foods. With each market season, staff has seen growth in need as well as the popularity of this program.
The Eat Fresh Rockville program is funded in part by grant money provided by the Maryland Department of Agriculture.
This agenda item is the request to authorize the City Manager to execute the MOU on behalf of the Mayor and Council to continue this beneficial partnership with the Maryland Department of Agriculture.
Mayor and Council History
Mayor and Council have previously approved this MOU including last year on September 30, 2024. The MOU has been reviewed and approved for legal sufficiency by the City Attorney’s Office.
Fiscal Impact
The Maryland Market Money program grant provides funding to support the Eat Fresh Rockville matching funds program. The City’s FY26 Eat Fresh Rockville budget is $110,000. The funding from the Maryland Market Money program supplements the City’s General Fund contribution of $30,000 to this program.
Next Steps
Once the agreement is approved and executed, staff will continue working with Maryland Department of Agriculture to support the Eat Fresh Program at the Rockville Farmers Market.