Maryland Nutrition Benefits
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SNAP is run by the USDA Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), who roll out monthly benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. This card functions like a debit card and is also known as an Independence Card. The funds cover SNAP-eligible foods which includes fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh herbs, meat, eggs, dairy, food-bearing plants and seeds, honey, maple syrup, pre-packaged non-alcoholic beverages, bread, pastries, baked goods, jams, jellies, and preserves. Not covered is hot prepared foods. As of December 2024, over 687,644 Maryland residents benefit from SNAP.
SNAP is accepted at Veggie Van and some vendors at farmers markets across the county. Many grocery stores, gas stations, and convenience stores accept SNAP. Access this website to find retailers near you who accept SNAP.
General Eligibility Requirements:
Requires an interview with a case manager to fully understand needs and determine eligibility.
Resident of Maryland and U.S. citizen, with exceptions listed here.
Work requirements:
Able bodied adults 16-60 must take part in employment and training programs at the local department of social services
Must have and provide a social security number for every household number, with exceptions listed here.
Income requirements through September 2026 are available here.
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Children are eligible for this program if their household receives SNAP, medicaid, or free/reduced lunch assistance. Sunbucks aims to add a grocery benefit for families while school is out of session. It can provide up to $120 over the summer session, broken down into monthly payment loaded onto EBT or Sun Bucks cards. This program helped around 543,000 children in 2024! Click here to learn more.
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Double your grocery dollars with the Maryland Market Money program! This is a statewide matching program that matches money spent with SNAP/EBT, WIC, or FMNP at participating farmers markets or stands. Participants can receive up to $20 per market visit. At participating markets, you can visit an information or Farm to School booth that will provide up to $20 in matching money tokens. Recipients are able to take home double the fresh produce while supporting local agriculture! Click here to view markets that offer MMM.
Frederick County markets that offer MMM:
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WIC is a specialized nutritional assistance program for eligible pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, and infants and children up to the age of 5. Benefits are provided on a eWIC card and can be used on infant formula, milk, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and other nutritionally dense foods. These benefits can be used at the grocery store and participating farmers markets. Benefits are loaded to a eWIC card monthly. Allotments are $26 for shield participants, $47 for pregnant and postpartum participants, and $52 for fully and partially breastfeeding participants. WIC Cash Value Voucher/Benefit (WIC-CVV/B) is a WIC benefit that can be used at grocery stores and farmers markets and is exclusively for fruits and vegetables. Different household members are able to earn benefits simultaneously. To learn more, click here.
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FMNP is a program that is available for WIC (FMNP-WIC) recipients and seniors (SFMNP) to help participants access local fruits and vegetables. Seniors are eligible for $35 in 2026, and WIC recipients are eligible for up to $30. These benefits are given through vouchers specifically for purchases from local farmers markets between the months of June and November. WIC recipients can opt in to this program during clinic appointments. To be eligible for SFMNP, participants must be over the age of 60 and meet income eligibility guidelines. For more information about FMNP, click here.
Participating Frederick County Markets:
Brunswick Main Street
Field Fresh Farmers Market
Frederick City Farmers Market
Frederick Farmers Market
Middletown Farmers Market
Thurmont Main Street
Urbana Library Farmers Market
YMCA Market