In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Fund” means the Maryland Food and Agricultural Resiliency Mechanism Fund. “MD FARM” means the Maryland Food and Agricultural Resiliency Mechanism Grant Program.

There is a Maryland Food and Agricultural Resiliency Mechanism Grant Program. The purpose of MD FARM is to build food system resiliency by leveraging Maryland agricultural products and services to support the State’s food banks and charitable emergency food providers to alleviate food insecurity.

There is a Maryland Food and Agricultural Resiliency Mechanism Fund in the Department. The purpose of the Fund is to provide grants to food banks and charitable emergency food providers for: The procurement of surplus, seasonal, or contractual agricultural food products; The processing and preparation of agricultural food products for distribution; and The transportation of agricultural food products. The Department 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. Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Fund shall be used to provide grants to food banks and charitable emergency food providers for: The procurement of surplus, seasonal, or contractual agricultural food products; The processing and preparation of agricultural food products for distribution; and The transportation of agricultural food products. A food bank or charitable emergency food provider may use grant money only for food products and services sourced from the State. For fiscal year 2024 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $200,000 to the Fund.