The grocery stall at Hollins Market will now accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as payment.
Previously, “Hollins Grocery was wasting a sizable amount of SNAP-authorized fresh produce and other perishable items (such as milk, cheese, and eggs) weekly, while also turning away shoppers who were eagerly waiting to use their SNAP benefits at the store,” according to a news release.
But the new change will allow the stall to provide nutritional foods to SNAP recipients who live and shop in southwest Baltimore, where many households are food insecure.
“Hollins Market is the only walkable small-format grocery store in the neighborhood, and we have intentionally stocked it with fresh, affordable foods to address the local food access gap. Unfortunately, due to delays in the process for securing authorization from FNS [U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service], our SNAP-eligible neighbors have not been able to shop,” said Lesly Scott, Food Equity Manager for Baltimore Public Markets Corporation, in a statement.
Operated by the Baltimore Public Markets Corporation (BPMC), Hollins Market reopened in September 2024.
The corporation applied for SNAP authorization for Hollins Market in August 2024 from Food and Nutrition Services in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
After BPMC submitted additional documentation in October, FNS said it would begin reviewing their application.
But with no update nearly two months later, the corporation in December reached out to U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume, who submitted a congressional inquiry on their behalf.
Finally, in January 2025, Hollins Market was authorized to accept SNAP benefits.
“While my Congressional Office successfully handles thousands of constituent cases per year, this one in particular is deserving of being uplifted because it is far-reaching and will promote healthy living and hearty food choices for Hollins neighborhood residents and visitors,” Mfume said in a statement.
Jesse Salazar, board chair for Baltimore Public Markets Corporation, expressed gratitude for Mfume’s efforts.
“All Baltimoreans deserve access to healthy and fresh food, and we are grateful that Congressman Mfume worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to champion Baltimore’s access to this important federal support. Thanks to him, Hollins Market residents, and west Baltimore more broadly, can now buy fresh produce and healthy grocery staples,” Salazar said in a statement.
Hollins Market is located at 26 South Arlington Ave., Baltimore, MD 21223.
