When it comes to eating healthy, what you eat matters just as much as WHAT YOU HAVE TO EAT. Food insecurity is a very serious concern and as my passion is helping people make the right food choices, I have to make sure you CAN make the right food choice. As we live in the land of space and opportunity, there are resources to get help if you are facing a period of difficulty affording the food you want or need. It doesn’t matter if you just came up on hard times or have been battling budgets for most of your life. You DON’T have to suffer as harshly as you probably are. Bottom-line: It’s important to know what options you have in order to reach your nutrition-related goals. Below, I listed some resources in the state of Maryland that you may want to explore if you think you can use some assistance. I live in Maryland and am Licensed in Maryland so i’m speaking from that perspective. For those of you who are not in the state of MD, please continue to read, I also provided resources that can allow you to find the respective department in your state as well. P.S. if you need it, please take advantage of this information. There is no need to allow your ego or pride to let you or your family go hungry. I’m here for you, I care for you and you have resources in your reach. Just be patient with the process. We all know how long it takes the government to get things done (still not a good enough reason to pass this opportunity up).
Maryland Food Bank
I feel like a lot of people either don’t know about this resource, dont think to use this resource or don’t want to use this resource. Either way this wonderful opportunity for food is available to you and should be utilized. The Maryland Food Bank provides millions of pounds of food to people in need every single year. They partner with food pantries, soup kitchens and other community organizations to provide emergency food assistance to Maryland residents facing hunger and food insecurity. They also do so much more than feeding those in need:
- They may help you to apply for and get the most out of your SNAP benefits (which I’ll speak on next)
- They provide you with nutrition education
- They advocate for you on a larger scale
Homepage: https://mdfoodbank.org/
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
This next resource is probably one of the most well known resources when it comes to government assistance. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, used to be known as food stamps. SNAP helps low-income individuals actually afford the foods to help you become a healthier person. Now, eligibility is based on income, household size and other factors, so unfortunately I cannot GUARANTEE that you will get these benefits but why not try? The worse they can say is no and then you will get to try one of these other resources. :} But if you do get approved for SNAP, you get a certain amount allotted to you monthly via an EBT card and can use it to purchase eligible foods.
Homepage: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program
If you are not from MD, search your local SNAP office or visit this site and click your state: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/state-directory
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program
The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and access to healthy food for pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and young children. Eligible participants receive vouchers to purchase specific nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and infant formula. The Maryland WIC program is administered by the Department of Health and offers additional services like nutrition counseling and referrals to healthcare and social services.
Homepage: https://health.maryland.gov/phpa/wic/Pages/Home.aspx
Apply: Click the link below. This will take you to the WIC page of information for pregnant women, parents and caregivers. There is also an option to view the page “en espanol”. This is a helpful page to learn more about the program, including the different ways you may be supported. Select the “Find out if you qualify and apply” prompt and hopefully you are well on your way of obtaining these benefits.
https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/wic-how-apply
If you are not from MD, go to the link below and select the state that you are in. Select the appropriate Program (In this case, “special supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)), confirm your state and continue to scroll down the page. You will eventually see an address, phone numbers, a website link and other helpful information to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.
Senior Nutrition Programs
Maryland offers nutrition programs specifically tailored to meet the needs of older adults. The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program provides eligible seniors with vouchers to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs from authorized farmers’ markets. Additionally, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) provides monthly food packages to low-income seniors aged 60 and older, helping them maintain a healthy diet and improve their overall well-being.
There is always a way to get food on your plate.
Individuals and families interested in accessing food-related governmental assistance programs in Maryland can apply online through the appropriate state agency websites or by visiting local offices for in-person assistance. Eligibility criteria vary for each program, so it’s essential to review the specific requirements before applying. Additionally, community organizations and nonprofit agencies often provide assistance with the application process and can help connect individuals with other resources and support services.
In Maryland, governmental assistance programs play a crucial role in ensuring that all residents have access to nutritious food. From SNAP benefits to school meal programs and community food banks, these initiatives help alleviate hunger, improve health outcomes, and promote food security for individuals and families across the state. By working together to support these programs and address the underlying causes of food insecurity, Maryland can continue to build a healthier and more resilient community for all.
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