**COVID-19 Update (3/19/20)** Farmers Markets Should Continue Operations During State of Emergency (more info)
COVID-19 Guidance: FAQs for Farmers Market Managers and Vendors during COVID-19 Response (4/7/2020)
Note: Information on this page is for farmers market managers, farmers and vendors. If you are a consumer looking for a farmers market near you, visit Maryland's Best. Once on the page, see the instructions below.
- At the top of the page, select your City or County in the "Locations" section
- Select "Farmers Market" from the " Category" section
- For a more detailed search, use the "Advanced Search" on the right side of the home page to find markets where federal nutrition programs benefits like the Farmers Market Nutrition Program are accepted by authorized farmers.
NEW: 2021 Maryland Farmers Market Directory
The
2021 Maryland Farmers Market Directory lists farmers markets in each county and Baltimore City. The directory provides information on markets' location, hours, manager contact information, and accepted food assistance programs.
Note: MDA will continue to update the farmers market directory throughout the season. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Maryland Farmers Market Directory Map
View Maryland farmers markets and federal benefit programs on this online map.
Maryland Farmers Market Conference 2021
MDA and MDH hosted the annual Maryland Farmers Market Conference virtually on Wednesday, March 3, 2021. See below for details and presentations from the conference.
- Agenda
- Presentations
- Additional Resources
Licenses and Permit Information:
Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)
The Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) is a USDA-funded nutrition grant program that is administered by MDA in conjunction with the Maryland Department of Health and the Maryland Department of Aging. The USDA gives grants to state agencies to provide checks to low-income participants that are a part of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) or the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). Checks can be used to buy fresh fruits, vegetables, cut herbs, and honey (for seniors only) at Maryland farmers markets.
Participants in WIC and SFMNP also receive nutrition information and a participant brochure, which includes details on the program and a “What’s in Season” chart to help them to shop for local produce.
MDA’s FMNP runs every year from June 1 through November 30. In Maryland, 195 farmers who sell at farmers markets or farmstands participate in the FMNP annually. All of the 100 recognized farmers markets in Maryland have authorized farmers present who participate in the FMNP. In 2019, 11,855 WIC recipients used their FMNP benefit with Maryland farmers, purchasing $355,660 of fresh produce. Seniors used $182,755 of this benefit with Maryland farmers.
MDA’s FMNP also partnered with the University of Maryland Extension’s Food Supplement Nutrition Education program to promote local produce to WIC families. Through this initiative, 522 tastings were conducted at farmers markets and more than 60,000 Maryland consumers received educational material on healthy eating.