Hungry Harvest Takes Annapolis
Meeting with legislators to advance community schools, primary care transformation, and Food as Medicine initiatives
Earlier this month, our team traveled to Annapolis to meet with Maryland senators, delegates, and legislative staff to discuss the intersection of food access, healthcare, and community schools.
It was a powerful day of conversations rooted in advocacy and data. Through our partnerships with schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations, we hear every day how access to nutritious food directly impacts student attendance, health outcomes, and overall family stability.
Throughout the day, we focused on three connected priorities: the continuation of strengthening community schools through the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, expanding primary care transformation through the AHEAD Model, and increasing state investment in Food as Medicine discussions.
Hungry Harvest works closely with community schools in Maryland to directly support school families with access to fresh produce, fruits, protein, and shelf-stable items. Our current impact includes 11,150 school families served and 490,000 pounds of fresh produce and pantry staples delivered annually, with over 80 partnerships with community schools in Prince George’s County, Baltimore County, Howard County, and Anne Arundel County.
We also discussed how models like the AHEAD Model and the importance of increasing state investment, The AHEAD Model and the Maryland Primary Care Program emphasize advancing health equity and addressing disparities through community-driven solutions in public health and healthcare delivery. Increasing investment in Food as Medicine initiatives statewide can also help reduce healthcare costs over time while advancing health equity. As federal pilot programs and waiver opportunities continue to emerge, Maryland is well positioned to lead in aligning healthcare, nutrition, and public health systems to better serve communities.
Overall, the day in Annapolis created meaningful policy discussions while also opening the door for partnerships and future collaboration. We connected with legislative offices interested in strengthening school partnerships, expanding healthcare-based nutrition programs, and supporting community events. These conversations reinforced that lasting change happens through collaboration.
It was also great connecting with UMD alumni throughout the day. We left Annapolis encouraged by the openness of the delegates and senators and their commitment to supporting Maryland families. As these conversations continue, we remain focused on advancing solutions that strengthen community schools, integrate nutrition into healthcare, and expand access to healthier food options statewide.
Hungry Harvest is honored to stand alongside our partners in building healthier students, stronger families, and more resilient communities.