Advertisement
The Resident and Community Gardening Grant Program awarded more than $215,000 to strengthen community food production and expand access to fresh, healthy food for local families
Montgomery County Council President Natali Fani-González will be joined by civic, faith and community leaders for a press conference today, Oct. 14 at 11 a.m., to highlight the County’s investment in community food production and the work of five community-based projects supported through the Resident and Community Gardening Grant Program.
“I’m proud to see how these community projects have grown and expanded their reach, thanks in part to essential community grant funding,” Council President Natali Fani-González said. “At a time when communities are facing uncertainty around federal funding and support for programs that address food access and community needs, Montgomery County is doubling down on local investments that help residents grow and access healthy food. That is why this past winter, I pushed for an additional $100,000 appropriation for this program to help more organizations build on this important work and expand access to fresh, healthy food.”
This summer, the Montgomery County Office of Food Systems Resilience (OFSR) awarded grants totaling more than $215,000 to five community-based projects through the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Resident and Community Food Gardening Grant Program. The program provides hands‑on food production and educational opportunities, and access to healthy food for local families.
Advertisement
“Glenmont Forest Neighbors Civic Association is grateful for the ongoing support of Council President Natali Fani-González for our efforts in the community and especially for the Serenity Community Gardens and Urban Farm in Glenmont,” said Jim Epstein, Glenmont Forest Neighbors Civic Association President. “In a few short years, the gardens have grown from an idea to a sustainable community asset. With the help of grants from the County, State and Pepco, we are able to improve the infrastructure to expand, grow and donate more food to local community residents and nonprofit organizations.”
“Thanks to our County support, we turned this once inert construction zone into a vibrant green park with multi-generational amenities for our community residents,” Epstein continued.
The press conference will take place at Serenity Community Garden and Urban Farm at the Glenmont Forest Community, providing a backdrop to showcase the important work already underway in the community. The event also will highlight the four other grant awardees and how the County funding will help community organizations expand existing gardens and urban farms, increase food production, and create new opportunities, including farmers’ markets, for residents to access locally grown produce.
WHO:
- Council President Natali Fani-González
- Glenmont Forest Neighbors Civic Association, Inc.
- Community Food Forest Collective
- Clifton Park Baptist Church
- Charles Koiner Center for Urban Farming, Inc.
- Community Health and Empowerment Through Education and Research, Inc.
WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 11 a.m.
Advertisement
WHERE: Glenmont Forest Community Park (12220 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, Md.). Street parking is available on Grandview Ave.
Members of the media must RSVP by emailing tommy.heyboer@montgomerycountymd.gov.
# # #
Read the original article at mccouncil
