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What is the MC Groceries Program?

The MC Groceries Program helps families access fresh and shelf-stable food items through a convenient online shopping experience. Families can place their orders online and have their groceries delivered or picked up through a partnership with Instacart Fresh Funds. Eligible households may receive $100 in benefits per month for each eligible child 0-18 years old, up to $400.

This program is an initiative of the Montgomery County Office of Food Systems Resilience and Department of Health and Human Services to support food access for families with children in Montgomery County that are not able to receive benefits through Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Who can participate in this program?

To be eligible for this program, households must:

• Reside in Montgomery County throughout the program;
• Have at least one child under the age of 18 that does not receive benefits through SNAP;
• Have a household post-tax incomes below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (e.g., $132,000/year for a household of 4)
  •  You may check your income eligibility using this FPL calculator 

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

Enrollment is not currently open to NEW applicants. For more information on how to join a waitlist, please see below.

How to Join Waitlist

New applicants referred by a Nutrition Benefits Navigator will be directed to completing a waitlist form. As openings become available, individuals on the waitlist will be notified and asked to complete an application and submit the required documentation.

Here are the steps to join the waitlist:

1. Contact a Nutrition Benefits Navigator 
   You must call one of our program partners (listed below) to complete a brief eligibility pre-screening for MC Groceries and other nutrition assistance programs. 

   Montgomery County Food Council  
   📩 Email [email protected] 
   📞 Call 301-818-3614 

   📋 Submit a referral form 

   Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services Navigation Line 
   📞 Call 240-777-4141 

   📋 Submit a referral form 

2. Complete a Pre-screen with a Navigator 
   If the pre-screening criteria are met, the Navigator will assist you with the waitlist form. 

3. Complete the Online Waitlist Form with a Navigator

• Completing a pre-screening, joining the waitlist, and/or submitting an application does not guarantee enrollment in the program. 
• Only households that submit a complete application and upload all required documents will be reviewed for program enrollment eligibility. 
• Incomplete or missing documentation will delay the processing of your application. Program enrollment is first-come, first-served and based on completed applications. 
• All communications and follow-ups about your application will be sent to the email address you provided on the application.