MC Groceries Program Frequently Asked Questions

Current Participants: Click here for Benefits Use Instructions! Participantes Actuales: Haz clic aqui para ver instrucciones para usar su beneficio

Program Basics

What is the MC Groceries Program?

The MC Groceries Program provides benefits for online grocery purchases of fresh and shelf-stable food items that are home-delivered or picked up at a local retailer through a partnership with Instacart Fresh Funds, which are category-specific online grocery stipends. Eligible households may receive $100 in benefits each month for each child aged 0-18, up to $400.

This new program was developed in partnership between the Montgomery County Office of Food Systems Resilience (OFSR) and the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to support food security and access for children in Montgomery County. The Montgomery County Council approved $1.8 million in funding for this program in December 2023 through Special Appropriation #24-37 to fund the implementation of the recommendations of the Strategic Plan to End Childhood Hunger. and additional funds for program continuation in the FY25 County Operating Budget.

Who can participate in this program?

To be eligible for this program, households must: 
  • Reside in Montgomery County 
  • Have at least one child under the age of 18 who is not eligible to receive benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); and 
  • Have post-tax incomes below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (e.g., $124,000/year for a household of 4) 

Household Size 

(cantidad de miembros de familia) 

Monthly Income 

(ingreso mensual) 

Annual Income 

(ingreso anual) 

1 

$5,217 

$62,600 

2 

$7,050 

$84,600 

3 

$8,883 

$106,000 

4 

$10,716 

$128,600 

5 

$12,550 

$150,600 

6 

$14,383 

$172,600 

7 

$16,216 

$194,600 

 

To complete the application, households must upload:   

  • Proof of income, such as pay stubs from the last 30 days.  
  • A valid photo identity document (ID) such as a driver's license, Maryland ID, or passport for parent(s) or guardians.  
  • Proof of address such as apartment lease, letter from landlord, driver's license, or utility bills with current address.  
  • Government-issued proof of identity for all children participating in the program, such as a birth certificate or school documents. 

Participants must:

  • Be able to navigate an English-only platform to use benefits 
  • Have access to a form of backup electronic payment (i.e., debit card, credit card, Google Pay, Apple Pay, PayPal, or Klarna) 
  • Consent to participate in a mid-year check-in (January 2026).

How long will this program last? 

This program is funded to support benefits usage for one year, with the possibility of extension. Program benefits are expected to be available from July 15, 2025, to July 15, 2026.  

How much money will a participating household receive? 

Participating households will receive $100 per month for each eligible child below the age of 18, up to $400 per month.   

About Instacart Fresh Funds:

How are benefits redeemed through this program?

Once enrolled in the program, households will receive instructions on how to create an Instacart Fresh Funds account. Participating households will receive dollar-value credits that are redeemable on their Instacart account and can be used to shop for food using the Instacart web or app platform. The head of household will receive a unique code, which they will redeem through their Instacart Fresh Funds account to access the total amount of monthly benefits available to their household through the program. Funds will be automatically loaded on the account (for a total of $100 per eligible child per month, up to $400) on the 15th of each month. 

Participants must provide an alternate form of payment as a backup payment option in order for the Instacart Fresh Funds account to be activated. Instacart Fresh Funds is set up to accept debit cards, credit cards, Google Pay, Apple Pay, PayPal, or Klarna.  

What items can be purchased through this program?

Households will be able to purchase select food and beverage items available from participating Instacart retailers. Fresh Funds eligible items are tagged with a "Fresh Funds" icon.

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When will my backup payment method be charged?

Backup payment methods may be charged for a variety of reasons. In summary, backup payments may be charged for: 

  • Ineligible items - Customers can see if an item is Fresh Funds eligible by looking for the Fresh Funds icon while shopping. Ineligible items are charged to a customer’s backup payment method. 
  • Insufficient funds - Charges exceeding the total available Fresh Funds balance are charged to a customer’s backup payment method. 
  • Selecting payment method at checkout- Backup payment methods can be charged if Fresh Funds aren’t selected at checkout. 
  • Tipping post checkout - Fresh Funds may be applied towards optional tips before checking out. Any tips provided post-checkout will be charged to the backup payment method. Post-checkout is defined as once a customer places an order on the Instacart platform. The Instacart platform defaults to a 10% tip for delivery orders, but customers may adjust or remove the optional tip pre-checkout. 
  • Item replacements 
  • Weighted items  
  • Authorization holds  

How will households receive the food they order on Instacart using their Fresh Funds?

Households will be able to select from delivery or pick-up options depending on the selected retailer.  

  • If the participant chooses the delivery option, Instacart will assign the order to a shopper. That shopper will go to the grocer, shop for the participant's order, and then deliver it to the delivery address listed on the account within the selected delivery timeframe. 
  • If the participant selects the pick-up option, the retailer will prepare the order for pick-up, and the participant must pick up the order from the retailer within the selected timeframe. 

Depending on the retailer and availability, orders can be placed and received same-day or can be scheduled multiple days in advance.

Please note that the Fresh Funds credits are only intended to be used by the household that is participating in the program. Deliveries should only be placed to the address that has been provided to Montgomery County DHHS during the enrollment process. 

What retailers are participating in this program?

Participants can use this program to purchase Fresh Funds-eligible items from any local retailer listed on the Instacart platform. The participant will input their preferred delivery address when creating an account, and the list of accessible retailers will adjust accordingly. 

Media Coverage:

September 3

August 30

August 29

 

 

1 Fresh Funds is an Instacart program that allows recipients to use a stipend to purchase specific grocery items, like fresh and frozen produce.