In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “FMNP” means the federal Farmers Market Nutrition Program. “Fund” means the Maryland Farms and Families Fund. “Program” means the Maryland Farms and Families Program. “SNAP” means the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. “WIC” means the federal Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children.

There is a Maryland Farms and Families Program in the Department. The purpose of the Program is to double the purchasing power of food–insecure Maryland residents with limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables and to increase revenue for farmers through redemption of federal nutrition benefits at Maryland farmers markets.

There is a Maryland Farms and Families Fund. The purpose of the Fund is to: Match purchases made with FMNP, SNAP, and WIC benefits at participating farmers markets and farm stands; Support nonprofit farmers markets to implement the Program by providing logistical and marketing support to increase the use of federal nutrition programs at these farmers markets; and Support nonprofit organizations and other responsible persons to implement the Program in partnership with one or more participating local farmers markets. The Secretary shall administer the Fund. The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article. The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund. The Fund consists of: Money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund; and Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund. In accordance with this subsection, the Department may use the Fund for either one or both of the following purposes: To implement, in whole or in part, the Program within the Department; and To provide funds to a qualified nonprofit organization or other responsible person to implement, in whole or in part, the Program. A qualified nonprofit organization or other person that receives funds under this section: Shall distribute at least 60% of the money it receives directly to participating farmers markets as funding for local market access coordinators and matching dollars for purchases made with FMNP, SNAP, and WIC benefits; and May not use more than 40% of the money it receives for Program development, promotion and outreach, farmers market training and capacity building, technical assistance, program data collection, evaluation, administration, and reporting. Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation to the Fund as follows: For fiscal years 2021 through 2023, $100,000; and For fiscal year 2024 and each fiscal year thereafter, $300,000. The appropriation required under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be in addition to, and may not supplant, any funding appropriated to the Agriculture and Seafood Marketing Program in the Department.

A nonprofit organization or other person is qualified to receive funds in accordance with this subtitle if the Department determines that the organization or person has a demonstrated record of: Designing and implementing successful healthy food incentive programs that connect federal food benefits recipients with local producers; Implementing funds distributing and reporting processes; Providing training and technical assistance to farmers markets; Conducting community outreach and data collection, including customer surveys; and Providing a full accounting and administration of funds distributed to farmers markets. In addition to the requirements under paragraph (1) of this subsection, in awarding funds in accordance with this subtitle, the Department may consider whether the organization or person has a demonstrated record of providing services in healthy food priority areas. Within 90 days after the end of a calendar year, an organization or person that received funds in accordance with this subtitle shall submit a report to the Department that includes the following information: The names and locations of Maryland farmers markets that received funds under the Program; The dollar amount of funds awarded to each participating farmers market; The dollar amount of FMNP, SNAP, and WIC benefits, and funds provided under the Program that were spent at participating farmers markets, as well as any unspent funds; The number of FMNP, SNAP, and WIC transactions carried out at participating farmers markets; and The impact of the Program on increasing the quantity of fresh fruits and vegetables consumed by FMNP, SNAP, and WIC families, as determined by customer surveys.

The Department may adopt regulations to implement this subtitle.