ABOUT FOOD 4 MARYLAND
About Us
Service Comes First
At Food 4 Maryland, we believe that access to nutritious food is essential to health, peace of mind, and independence.
We are a Maryland 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to make nutritious meals, medically supportive food, fresh produce, and dependable home delivery more accessible to older adults, individuals managing chronic health conditions, people recovering from illness or surgery, and families experiencing food insecurity.
Our work goes beyond providing food. We bring together healthcare organizations, government agencies, universities, local food producers, food-service professionals, and community partners to create practical programs that help people live healthier lives and remain independent.
We put ourselves last because service to people in need is always first.
EDUCATE. COLLABORATE. CREATE CHANGE.
Engaging the Next Generation of Leaders
Working with the University of Maryland
Food 4 Maryland has engaged with the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business through experiential learning initiatives, including the Flex MBA Startup Sprint.
Together, we’re giving graduate business students a front-row seat to real-world challenges in food access, social entrepreneurship, operations, and community impact while building solutions that create healthier communities and stronger local economies.
A permanent commercial kitchen would provide Food 4 Maryland with a stronger foundation to pursue these activities and serve as a practical setting where students apply business concepts to real challenges that strengthen food access, community health, and local economic development.
– Nima Farshchi
Executive Director, Office of Experiential Learning
Director, Center for Social Value Creation
Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland
Site Visits
Students tour our future commercial kitchen and learn how we’re building infrastructure for long-term impact.
Classroom Connections
Conversations that spark ideas, challenge assumptions, and connect business concepts to community needs.
Hands-On Experience
Students engage with our team to understand operations, food safety, logistics, and the power of medically supportive meals.
Real-World Impact
From production to delivery, students see how strategic decisions create healthier communities and local job opportunities.
Future Leaders
Building the next generation of leaders who care deeply about purpose, people, and positive change.
Together, we're building more than meals.
We're building solutions that nourish bodies, strengthen communities, and inspire leaders to make a difference.
REAL LEARNING. REAL IMPACT.
Experiential learning that prepares students for a better world of business.
STRONGER COMMUNITIES
Expanding food access, improving health outcomes, and creating local economic opportunities.
INNOVATION IN ACTION
Students collaborate on ideas that drive growth, efficiency, and sustainability.
A BETTER FUTURE
Empowering future leaders to solve today’s challenges and build a more equitable tomorrow.
OUR FOUNDATION
Our Story
A story built around food quality, practical compassion, and partnerships that keep evolving with Maryland’s communities.
OUR FOUNDATION
Our Story
A story built around food quality, practical compassion, and partnerships that keep evolving with Maryland’s communities.
Food 4 Maryland began with a firm belief: people should not have to sacrifice quality simply because they are older, managing a health condition, recovering from an illness, or experiencing financial hardship.
The meals provided to the people we serve should be fresh, never frozen, restaurant-grade meals prepared with the same care, quality, and attention anyone would expect from a good restaurant. Nutritious food should look appealing, taste good, and give people something to look forward to, not feel institutional or like an afterthought.
Food 4 Maryland was not created to become a static organization operating the same program year after year.
Our work must continue to evolve as community needs change through meaningful relationships with hospitals, health systems, insurance companies, universities, local food producers, community organizations, government agencies, and elected leaders at every level.
The development of our College Park commercial kitchen represents the next major chapter: a foundation for fresh food production, Food-as-Medicine programs, healthcare collaboration, university research and student involvement, job creation, training, and future innovation.
75,000+
Medically supportive meals delivered.
1,000+
Individuals served.
12+
Registered Dietitians.
20+
Community & health partners.
Restaurant-Grade
Quality
Fresh, never-frozen meals prepared with professional care.
Food as
Medicine
Nutrition connected to recovery, health, and independence.
Partnership
in Action
Hospitals, health plans, universities, government, and community.
Built to
Keep Evolving
Learning, adapting, and creating stronger solutions over time.
WHAT GUIDES US
Mission, Purpose, Vision & Goal
Four clear statements that keep Food 4 Maryland focused as the organization grows.
Mission
To provide Marylanders with fresh, never-frozen, restaurant-quality meals that support better health, greater independence, and peace of mind.
Purpose
To nourish Marylanders through medically supportive meals, meaningful partnerships, and compassionate community support.
Vision
A healthier Maryland where high-quality food is recognized as an essential part of healthcare, recovery, and healthy aging.
Goal
To build an evolving statewide model that brings together hospitals, health plans, universities, government, local food systems, and community organizations to improve lives, strengthen communities, and help reduce avoidable healthcare costs.
OUR DIFFERENCE
What Makes Food 4 Maryland Different
Quality, healthcare integration, collaboration, and a commitment to never stand still.
Quality Without Compromise
Fresh, never-frozen, restaurant-quality meals that are nutritious, appealing, and prepared with care.
Food as Part of Healthcare
Nutrition that supports recovery, chronic-condition management, healthy aging, independence, and better health outcomes.
Partnerships That Create Impact
Hospitals, health plans, universities, government leaders, food producers, businesses, and community organizations working together.
Built to Evolve
Food 4 Maryland keeps listening, learning, measuring results, and adapting as the needs of Maryland communities change.
PEOPLE BEHIND THE MISSION
Leadership & Staff
Nicole Carrington
Executive Director
Nicole provides executive leadership and ensures that the goals, purpose, and responsibilities of each division are carried out in alignment with Food 4 Maryland’s mission.
Mark Boulis
Director of Partnership Development
Mark develops strategic relationships with hospitals, health plans, universities, businesses, government agencies, elected officials, and community leaders to help turn ideas into practical programs with measurable impact.
Latasha Snell Gatling
Director of Community Outreach
Latasha serves as a bridge between Food 4 Maryland and the communities it serves, helping build trust, strengthen referral relationships, and keep the organization connected to community needs.
Board Leadership
Philip E. Sardelis
Board Chairman
Phil provides board leadership, food-service experience, business insight, philanthropic perspective, and a strong commitment to quality as Food 4 Maryland expands its impact.
Dr. Marie Morilus-Black
Chief Executive Officer, MBI Health Services
Dr. Marie Morilus-Black is Chief Executive Officer of MBI Health Services and brings more than two decades of leadership experience in behavioral health, child welfare, juvenile justice, and human services. Her experience strengthening community-based systems of care and advancing health equity will help Food 4 Maryland expand healthcare partnerships and food-as-medicine solutions that improve access, dignity, and health outcomes.
Megan Harbold
Director of Special Events, Children’s National Hospital Foundation
Megan Harbold is Director of Special Events at Children’s National Hospital Foundation, where she leads more than 30 mission-driven events annually that raise millions of dollars in support of pediatric healthcare. A University of Maryland alumna, Megan brings valuable expertise in philanthropy, stakeholder engagement, community outreach, and creating meaningful experiences that inspire people to support important causes.
Advisory Board
J.C. Carrington
Advisory Board Member Community Relations
J.C. offers community insight and relationship guidance that helps Food 4 Maryland strengthen trust, local engagement, and connections with community stakeholders.
Lisa Hugh, MS, RD, LDN
Advisory Board Member | Nutrition & Clinical Advisor
Lisa provides nutrition and clinical guidance for menus, medically supportive meal standards, Food-as-Medicine initiatives, and future healthcare partnerships.
FRESH. NEVER FROZEN.
Our Culinary Team
Professional food service with a human purpose.
Our culinary team prepares fresh, never-frozen, restaurant-quality meals with care, consistency, proper portions, food safety, and pride.
JOIN THE MISSION
Partner with Food 4 Maryland.
Healthcare organizations, health plans, universities, government agencies, businesses, and community partners can help create a healthier Maryland.