Montgomery County Officials Seek to Boost Local Food Supply Chain

Montgomery County officials are seeking to strengthen connections between local farms, restaurants, and food banks to increase access to locally grown produce and support the regional economy.

During a farm-to-table symposium yesterday, Council member Laurie-Anne Sayles highlighted that Montgomery County possesses the largest agricultural reserve in the U.S., encompassing 93,000 acres. However, she noted a significant disconnect, with much of the food consumed in the county originating from outside the region. Sayles pointed to difficulties in establishing a Restaurant Week focused on local products as evidence of the fragmented system. “We have some of the best produce, meat producers, vineyards, wineries, breweries, cideries,” she said, “but the public isn’t familiar with those products.”

The issue extends to farmers markets, where most products are currently sourced from outside of Maryland, according to Sayles. Increasing demand for local goods, she argued, would ultimately drive down costs and improve community health. This push for local sourcing comes as food insecurity rises nationally, impacting access to affordable, nutritious options. Greg Glenn, co-founder and CEO of Rocklands Farm and Winery, emphasized that local farms are “accessible, relevant, we’re available,” but need greater marketing support. Manna Food Center CEO Craig Rice also expressed a need for increased support to supply local food banks, particularly as demand grows.

Maryland Rep. April McClain Delaney acknowledged the challenges facing farmers, including inflationary pressures and market access issues. Allison Schnitzer, co-executive director of the Montgomery County Food Council, noted a strong consumer interest in buying local and supporting a resilient food system, as detailed in reports from the USDA Economic Research Service. Two county council committees will hear from state agriculture officials on agritourism this Wednesday.

Officials stated they hope to address these issues through increased collaboration and policy changes to bolster the local agricultural economy and improve food access for residents.