MD HB1626

Establishes the Food Security Coordination Office within the Department of Agriculture to coordinate statewide food access initiatives, maintain a data dashboard on food insecurity, and provide technical assistance to local jurisdictions

Creates a Rural-to-Urban Produce Distribution Program to connect local farmers with food-insecure urban and suburban communities through food aggregation hubs, transportation support, cold chain infrastructure, and partnerships with food banks, schools, and community markets

Establishes the Maryland Rural-to-Urban Produce Financing Program to provide low- or no-interest loans and grants to farmers, cooperatives, nonprofits, food hubs, and local governments for projects that expand produce distribution to underserved areas

Creates a grant program to expand community and mobile markets, support urban agriculture and community gardens, and increase access to culturally relevant foods, with grant recipients required to report outcomes by September 1 annually

Expands the Jane Lawton Farm-to-School Program to include prekindergarten programs, child care facilities, and early childhood education programs, and adds support for school gardens and nutrition education; regulations required by January 1, 2027, with effective date of July 1, 2026