Our Work
Learn about our current initiatives - and join us to help!
Nourishing Neighbors
Appalachian Farm and Food Alliance (AFFA) received $119,945 through CareFirst’s Place-Based Grants Initiative to address food insecurity and related social determinants of health (SDoH) across Garrett and Allegany Counties, Maryland. The 2025 report covers year one of the three-year grant. Grant funds supported the purchase and distribution of fresh, locally grown produce sourced entirely from Western Maryland farmers through the Garrett Growers Cooperative.
Improving the Efficiency of Local Food System
Rural Maryland Council Grant – MAERDAF Fund – Improving the Efficiency of Local Food System project is developing software to assist Garrett Growers Cooperative, Inc. with ordering and delivery, replicable with other food hubs in the region. The software developer has software completed and it is being tested.
Together We Eat
AFFA is working with Community School Specialists to offer food to those in need who attend schools with rates of free/reduced meals eligible students. In 2024, provided food boxes to help over the Christmas holiday. In 2025, expanded to include summer box distributions as well as 156 Christmas food boxes. AFFA received an MFARM Maryland Food & Ag Resiliency Mechanism grant to support the program.
Pantry Refrigeration Project
Thanks to a generous grant from the Western Maryland RC&D Council, the Western Maryland Food Council was able to accept applications from regional food pantries for needed refrigeration or freezer capacity. The units were purchased in February 2026, and will be delivered to the pantries in March. The pantries will be able to safely hold fresh produce, eggs, meats and other local farm products until they are able to get the food to the clients that need it.
