Two Worcester County Businesses Receive Grants to Expand Food Accessibility

OCEAN CITY, Md. -Fresh produce can be expensive and hard to access for some families, but two stores in Worcester County are looking to change that, through the support of NourishMD grants. Ocean City Organics in Ocean City and Food Rite in Snow Hill are the recipients of the first round of grants from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Owners Heather Layton and Kristie Williams, say they know just how important accessibility to fresh, organic, food is.

“We’ve accepted EBT for as long as I can remember.” Said Williams.  “So that provides access for people that financially can’t afford it. Instead of making it any kind of exclusive option or anything it gives, it gives access to everybody. And it’s really important.”

Nicole Allen is the program manager for NourishMd at Maryland DHCD, and explained how the recipients are chosen by accessibility and need.

“This program is specifically targeted at providing investments in communities that have a fresh food gap score that is significant.” Said Allen.

The next step for Ocean City Organics, is to use the funding to expand storage space and refridgeration options to better serve the community. As for Maryland’s DHCD, they plan to continue to supporting access to healthy foods as they look for the second round of grant recipients.

“The Eastern Shore is definitely one of the areas that we see that investment to be desperately needed, and we are looking forward to expanding that offering through the next round.” Said Allen.

For more information on the programs, visit https://dhcd.maryland.gov/business-development/nourishmd-grant-program