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Maryland Department of Agriculture

Maryland Postharvest Infrastructure Grant Progr​am

About The Postharvest Infastructure (PHI) Grant 

The Postharvest Infrastructure Grant Progr​am (PHI), administered by the Maryland Department of Agriculture, is a vital element of the federally funded Maryland Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). This initiative is designed to strategically establish cold storage infrastructure within Maryland rural communities to expand food aggregation and distribution capacities.

Empowering rural health through local food

By strengthening the operational capacity of local food producers, this initiative seeks to enhance the accessibility of nutritious, locally sourced products for rural Marylanders. The program supports a wide range of providers encompassing fresh produce, dairy, grains for human consumption, meat and poultry, herbs, eggs, and Maryland seafood.​

Program background

This initiative is a core component of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), a five-year federal initiative funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) through the Maryland Department of Health.

The Rural Health Transformation Program was authorized by H.R. 1 (2025)(Section 71401 of Public Law 119-21). It empowers states to strengthen rural communities across America by improving healthcare access, quality, and outcomes by transforming the healthcare delivery ecosystem. Through innovative system-wide change, the RHTP invests in rural healthcare delivery ecosystem for future generations.

2026 PHI Grant Informational Session

Watch the May 27, 2026 PHI Information Webinar presentation.

Program funding

  • Total funding available: $3.6 Million
  • Minimum amount: $30,000

Eligibility

Applicants for this grant should fall into one of these categories:

  • Agricultural producers or seafood processors. This category is a priority.
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Local government entities
  • Institutions

Eligible project activities

Funding may be utilized across five key categories to improve the cold chain and distribution process.

  • Cold storage infrastructure
  • Transportation and fleet upgrades
  • Distribution logistics and technology
  • Handling and loading infrastructure
  • Food safety modernization

How to apply

Apply online through the Rural Maryland Council's Online Grant Portal.

Deadline: June 14, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EST

 

The Maryland Rural Health Transformation Program is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award to the Maryland Department of Health totaling $168,180,837.61 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents of this document are of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.