Frederick County Farm2Food Program

The Frederick County Farm2Food Program helps small-scale farmers and food and beverage entrepreneurs grow their businesses through food and beverage products connected to agriculture in Frederick County, Maryland.

Turning agricultural ingredients into finished food and beverage products - such as sauces, jams, seasoning blends, baked goods, beverages, and more - is often called value-added production. These products can create new market opportunities, extend the use and market season of farm ingredients, and create new opportunities for growth.

From January 14 - April 1, 2027, Farm2Food will connect participants with a community of farmers, food entrepreneurs, and food and business experts as they develop, refine, and strengthen products for the marketplace. Whether you are already producing and selling a product or are still working through important decisions around formulation, food safety, packaging, pricing, or market fit, the program is designed to help you take the next steps.

Selected participants will join the program at no cost thanks to funding from Frederick County, Maryland.

Register for the Info Session on Oct. 22

2027 FRederick County PROGRAM

Farm2Food is designed to support participants at different stages of product development - from those preparing to bring a product to market to those already producing or selling and looking to strengthen, refine, or grow what they have built.

Throughout the program, participants will apply what they learn directly to their own product and business while receiving guidance from food, agriculture, and business experts.

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

If you answer “That’s me!” to either of the following, we encourage you to apply!

  • Are you a small-scale farmer based in Frederick County with a working recipe or existing food or beverage product that incorporates an ingredient you grow?

OR

  • Are you a food or beverage entrepreneur with a working recipe or existing food or beverage product that incorporates an ingredient sourced from a Frederick County farm?

Priority will be given to farmers developing products that incorporate ingredients grown on their own farm.


PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

  • To connect with a community of farmers, food entrepreneurs, and food experts

  • To develop a new packaged food or beverage product or strengthen an existing product

  • To participate in live weekly discussions and office hours with food and business experts

  • To attend an in-person Welcome & Program Overview and Final Celebration

  • To build the knowledge and tools to safely produce, package, price, and sell their product

The curriculum will guide participants through topics including understanding their customer, product development and consumer testing, researching brands, developing their formula, costs, food safety and lab testing, packaging and shelf life, pricing, and pitching to buyers.

“The Farm2Food Accelerator was a space that managed to feel both professional and personal. Each week I felt inspired to innovate and better the products that I have been working on.”

- Crystal Leon, The Radish Hotel




PROGRAM FORMAT & PARTICIPANT EXPECTATIONS

Twelve to fifteen participants will be selected for the 2027 Frederick County Farm2Food Accelerator cohort. The Frederick County Farm2Food Accelerator will run from January 14 through April 1, 2027. Farm2Food is a small, cohort-based program, and participants should plan to actively engage in both the weekly discussions and office hours throughout the program.

  • In-person Welcome & Program Overview to kick off the program on January 14, 2027

  • Expert-led live discussions on Thursdays from 4-5 PM

  • Weekly office hours on Tuesdays from 4-5 PM for additional questions, discussion, and support

  • In-person Final Celebration on April 1, 2027

Weekly sessions will be offered live via Zoom. Participants may join virtually from wherever they are or gather with fellow cohort members at the Frederick County offices to participate together.

Topics Include

  • Customer Pain Point & Core Customer

  • Product Ideation & Consumer Testing

  • Researching Brands

  • Value Proposition

  • Developing Your Formula

  • Knowing Your Costs

  • Lab Testing for Food Safety

  • Packaging & Shelf Life

  • Pricing

  • Pitching to Buyers


Interested?

Interested in learning more before applying? Join us for the Frederick County Farm2Food Accelerator Info Session on October 22, 2027 from 4:00 - 5:00 PM EST.

We’ll introduce the Farm2Food Program, walk through what participants can expect, review eligibility and the application process, and leave time for questions.

Regster for the Info Session

Applications close at midnight on November 6, 2027. Applications opening soon!



COST

Cost: Selected participants will join the program at no cost thanks to funding from Frederick County, Maryland.



Questions

Questions about the Frederick County Farm2Food Accelerator? Contact Katie White at katie@kwcdconsulting.com or Chris Jones at chris.jones@nasda.org.


PARTNERS

Funding

Funding for the Frederick County Farm2Food Accelerator is provided by Frederick County, Maryland.