Maryland Department of Agriculture

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Maryland Food Donation Pilot Program

​The Maryland Food Donation Pilot Program (SB 416) became law in 2017. It allows farmers to donate eligible food in return for a tax credit against State income taxes. The program was originally launched exclusively in Southern Maryland and Montgomery County, but was expanded statewide and will now continue through 2021 following the passage of 2019 legislative session (HB 403).

Maryland farmers who donate food to a charity that participates in the state’s Food Donation Pilot Program are eligible for up to $5,000 per year of tax credit. The Maryland Department of Agriculture manages the program in cooperation with the Comptroller and has authority to issue up to $100,000 in tax credits annually. Eligible donations are defined as “fresh farm products for human consumption.” Food donations are eligible for a tax credit of up to 50% of the value of the donation, not to exceed $5,000 per calendar year. Certified organic produce donations are eligible for a tax credit of 75% of its value.

For more information or questions on the application process, contact Mark Powell at (410) 841-5775 or mark.powell@maryland.gov​.
​How to Participate?

Non-profit organizations or charities accepting eligible food donations must:
  1. Become a Tax Credit Certificate Administrator (T​CCA). Organizations can become a TCCA by completing an Application for Tax Credit Certificate Administrator ​for the Maryland Food Donation Pilot Program and submitting it to the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Upon approval by the department, the organization will receive a signed copy of the agreement and an assigned TCCA number.

  2. ​Once an organization is a TCCA, they can submit eligible food donations from a qualified farm to the program by completing the​ Producer Donation Form​. 
Forms should be submitted to the Maryland Department of Agriculture Marketing Office by mail, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD, 21401, OR email: 

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