Maryland Market Money Technology Access Expansion Fund
The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC), a division of the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland (TCCSMD) is excited to announce a transformative partnership with Healthy Together, a technology leader specializing in solutions for Health and Human Services Departments and the creation of the Maryland Market Money Technology Access Expansion Fund. As a statewide food access program that feeds Marylanders and supports local farmers, this collaboration marks a major step forward in using cutting-edge technology to strengthen our mission.
Maryland Market Money (MMM), a food access program of the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), and run by SMADC, removes economic barriers for Marylanders experiencing food insecurity, providing a dollar-for-dollar match for purchases made using federal nutrition benefits at participating Maryland farmers markets, farm stands, and CSAs while providing technical assistance, training, marketing, and additional services to stakeholders.
This partnership will enable the Maryland Market Money program to continue its transition from the current plastic token system to Healthy Together's innovative Market Match solution. By introducing this digital platform, the process will be streamlined for both farmers and shoppers participating in the State of Maryland’s Farmers Market Nutrition Program at Maryland Market Money markets.
As additional federal nutrition benefits are integrated, the platform will further simplify and enhance access to vital food resources. The shift will make the Maryland Market Money program more accessible and efficient, offering a fully digital, scalable solution for market shopping that benefits both vendors and participants.
The Technology Access Expansion Fund will offer stipends for participating Maryland Market Money access points (farmers markets, farm stands, and CSAs) and their farmer vendors who operate in the following jurisdictions: Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Calvert County, Charles County, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, or St. Mary’s County who are experiencing financial barriers to access the equipment and internet connectivity needed to participate in the migration to the new technology. The Fund was created by SMADC with the generous support of several funders who contribute to the Maryland Market Money program’s work in the aforementioned counties.
In an app-based system, an internet abled smart device is needed to use the Healthy Together platform. With the Technology Access Expansion Fund, farmers markets, vendors at farmers markets, and direct marketing farmers that participate in the Maryland Market Money program, who are experiencing financial barriers to equipment access can apply for funding support to purchase the following items: smart devices, a protective case, mobile wi-fi hotspots, wi-fi extenders, and/or a mobile internet data plan for 1 year (new added service only). Each allowable item must not exceed preset cost thresholds, while funding is limited and available on a first come first served basis until the available funding is depleted or expired.
Interested Maryland Market Money access points and farmer vendors operating in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Calvert County, Charles County, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, or St. Mary’s County who are experiencing financial barriers to access the equipment and internet connectivity can learn more and complete an application to be considered here: https://forms.office.com/r/DgaxTbVX1u
If you have any questions, please contact our e-incentives coordinator at: eincentives@marylandmarketmoney.org.