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# County program helps families facing food insecurity, delivering $1.3 million in groceries
- URL: https://www.themontgomerybrief.org/county-program-helps-families-facing-food-insecurity-delivering-1-3-million-in-groceries/
- Published: 2026-10-15T23:41:37.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-15T23:41:37.000Z
- Description: More than 600 Montgomery County families with children who are struggling to afford food have received help through MC Groceries, a program that has provided more than $1.3 million in grocery benefits since launching in early 2024, county officials said.
- Author: Cristina Caicedo Smit
- Tags: Community

More than 600 Montgomery County families with children who are struggling to afford food have received help through MC Groceries, a program that has provided more than $1.3 million in grocery benefits since launching in early 2024, county officials said.

Run by the Office of Food Systems Resilience in partnership with Instacart, the program serves families experiencing food insecurity who do not qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. 

It is on pace to serve more than 680 families this year.

Monica Rivera-Goldberg, Montgomery County Community Action Agency’ Navigation manager, said the program provides immediate and meaningful assistance to families. 

“MC Groceries has been an invaluable resource … while complementing the team’s broader work to help families access benefits, strengthen household stability, and move toward greater independence and self-sufficiency,” Rivera-Goldberg said in a statement. 

Enrollment grew 24%, from 543 families in the first program year to 674 in the second, covering 1,427 children. Participants have placed more than 12,000 grocery orders totaling more than $1.32 million.

Households receive $100 a month in Instacart Health Fresh Funds credits for each child younger than 18, up to $400 a month.

"MC Groceries offers critical support to families experiencing food insecurity by providing reliable access to nutritious, culturally relevant foods," Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich said.

A participant survey found 24% fewer participants said they often worry about running out of food, compared with the first year. 

Grocery delivery use rose almost 50% after enrollment, and families reported less stress about affording food. About 9 in 10 participants said they were employed, showing the program reaches working families whose incomes are too high for SNAP.