~ The Maryland Department of Agriculture said 37 organizations in 16 rural counties will receive nearly $3.6 million through the Postharvest Infrastructure Grant Program to expand food storage and distribution capacity.

The program, part of the federally funded Maryland Rural Health Transformation Program, supports projects such as installing coolers and freezers, adding refrigeration to delivery vehicles, upgrading inventory systems and improving loading and food-safety equipment.

The grants are intended to help local producers store and transport products including fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry and seafood. Maryland Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks said the investments would strengthen markets for farmers and watermen and help consumers access locally produced food.

Among the recipients, Baugher Enterprises in Carroll County will upgrade a cold-storage door and refrigerated truck to serve farm markets and food banks. Chestnut Hill Farm and Market in Washington County will install walk-in coolers for produce, while James Morris Seafood & Supplies in St. Mary's County will develop a cold-storage supply chain for seafood.

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Other projects include a refrigerated truck for Shlagel Farms in Charles County and a refrigerated trailer for Barefoot Farm Market in Worcester County. Cornerstone Farms at Wrights Market in Wicomico County will install three-phase electrical power and a walk-in cooler connected to the farm's solar array.

Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani said the program would support rural access to healthy food while strengthening local businesses. The department is a partner in the Rural Health Transformation Program.

The state said the program is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services through a $168,180,837.61 award to the Maryland Department of Health for the initial budget period, funded entirely by CMS and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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