How Maryland Farms Help Feed Families Instead Of Letting Fresh Food Go To Waste

CALIFORNIA, Md. — It may come as a surprise that while thousands of Maryland families struggle to put fresh food on the table, perfectly edible fruits, vegetables and other farm products can go unsold each harvest season. Maryland farm food donation programs are changing that by connecting surplus food from local farms with food banks, pantries and community organizations instead of letting it go to waste.

Across Southern Maryland, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore and the Washington region, these partnerships are helping more fresh food reach families while supporting local farmers and reducing waste. Whether through farm donations, gleaning efforts or food recovery programs, the mission is simple: keep wholesome, locally grown food in Maryland communities where it can make the greatest difference.

How Maryland Farm Food Donation Works

Maryland is home to farms that produce fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meats and other agricultural goods. During a growing season, farms may occasionally have crops that cannot be sold through traditional markets. That can happen because of cosmetic imperfections, changing customer demand, weather conditions or timing during harvest.

Farm food donation programs provide a practical alternative. Rather than discarding edible products, participating farms can donate them to organizations that distribute food to families, older adults and others facing food insecurity. The Maryland Department of Agriculture certifies the food banks and food pantries eligible to receive these donations through the state’s Maryland Food Donation Program.

Many donations move through established nonprofit networks. Others are collected through gleaning efforts, where volunteers harvest produce left in fields after a commercial harvest. The food is then sorted and delivered to organizations that can quickly distribute fresh items. The Maryland Food Bank’s Farm to Food Bank Program, now in its second decade, engages farms across the state through a combination of field gleanings, direct donations and contract growing to supply fresh, local produce to communities in need.

This approach benefits multiple parts of the food system. Farmers can reduce waste while helping their communities, and charitable organizations gain access to nutritious foods that may otherwise be difficult to obtain.

Why Reducing Food Waste Matters

Food waste affects households, businesses and farms alike. When edible food is thrown away, the resources used to grow, harvest, transport and store it are also lost.

Farm donation programs help address this challenge by extending the useful life of food that is still safe and nutritious. Instead of ending up as waste, fruits and vegetables can reach dinner tables throughout Maryland.

Reducing waste can also support broader environmental goals. Keeping edible food in circulation may reduce disposal needs while making better use of the land, water and labor already invested in agricultural production. State officials have described the approach as a “win-win,” noting that programs like Farm to Food Bank simultaneously address food waste and support Maryland families facing hunger.

Benefits For Maryland Communities

Fresh food donations can make a meaningful difference for local organizations serving residents throughout the state.

Communities in St. Mary’s, Calvert and Charles counties, along with Anne Arundel County and other parts of Maryland, often rely on partnerships between farms, volunteers and charitable organizations to move donated food efficiently. Local relationships can be especially important because fresh produce often needs to be distributed quickly.

How Farmers May Participate

Every farm operates differently, so donation opportunities vary depending on the type of crops, available labor and harvest schedules.

Some farms coordinate directly with local food assistance organizations. Others work through nonprofit groups that specialize in recovering and distributing agricultural products. In some cases, volunteers assist with harvesting crops that would otherwise remain in the field.

Farmers considering donations often look for partners that can transport and distribute food promptly. Reliable logistics help preserve quality and reduce additional waste. Through the Maryland Food Donation Program, farmers who donate eligible fresh farm products to a Department of Agriculture-certified charity can claim a state income tax credit, with the department authorized to issue tax credits statewide. Nonprofit organizations that want to accept these donations must first register with the Maryland Department of Agriculture as a Tax Credit Certificate Administrator.

Many agricultural organizations also provide educational resources about food recovery, community partnerships and donation practices, making participation more accessible for farms of different sizes. The Maryland Department of Agriculture also administers the Maryland Food and Agricultural Resiliency Mechanism grant program, which helps food banks and charitable emergency food providers purchase surplus, seasonal or contract-grown agricultural and seafood products directly from Maryland farms, creating an additional market for local growers while expanding food access.

How Residents Can Help

Maryland residents do not need to own a farm to support farm food donation efforts.

Many nonprofit organizations depend on volunteers to harvest crops, sort donated produce and prepare food for distribution. Others welcome financial contributions that help cover transportation, refrigeration and other operational costs.

Residents can also support local agriculture by shopping at farmers markets, joining community supported agriculture programs and learning more about organizations working to reduce food waste in their area.

If you are interested in volunteering, check with local food banks, hunger relief organizations or agricultural nonprofits serving your county. Opportunities may increase during peak harvest seasons when fresh produce is most abundant. The Maryland Food Bank, one of the state’s largest hunger-relief organizations, coordinates volunteer gleaning shifts at partner farms as part of its Farm to Food Bank Program.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Maryland farm food donation program? A Maryland farm food donation program connects farms with food banks, pantries or nonprofit organizations so edible farm products can be distributed to people instead of going to waste. The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Maryland Food Donation Program is one of the primary state programs supporting this work.

What is gleaning? Gleaning is the practice of collecting crops left in fields after a commercial harvest. Volunteers often work with farms and nonprofit organizations, such as the Maryland Food Bank’s Farm to Food Bank Program, to recover food for donation.

How can I support farm food donation efforts in Maryland? You can volunteer with food recovery organizations, donate to local hunger relief groups or support local farms and agricultural nonprofits involved in reducing food waste.

Why are farm food donations important? They help reduce food waste, increase access to fresh food for community organizations and strengthen partnerships between farmers and local nonprofits.

Do Maryland farmers get any financial benefit for donating food? Yes. Under Maryland’s Farmers Feeding Families law, farmers who donate eligible Maryland-grown food to a Department of Agriculture-certified nonprofit can claim a state income tax credit based on the value of the donation, as determined by the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

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