Deadline: 17-Jul-2026
The Maternal Produce Prescription Program (MP3) is a funding initiative supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) that provides grants of up to $500,000 to organizations developing produce prescription programs and nutrition education initiatives for pregnant and postpartum women. The program aims to improve maternal health, birth outcomes, food security, and access to healthy foods in low-income and underserved communities.
With an expected total funding pool of $13 million for FY 2026, MP3 supports partnerships between healthcare providers, community organizations, and local food systems to deliver nutrition-focused interventions that promote healthier pregnancies, postpartum recovery, and family well-being.
What Is the Maternal Produce Prescription Program (MP3)?
The Maternal Produce Prescription Program (MP3) is a federally supported grant program designed to improve nutrition and health outcomes among pregnant and postpartum women and their families.
The initiative funds community-based organizations and partner institutions to develop and implement produce prescription interventions, nutrition education programs, and food access initiatives that address nutrition insecurity and related health challenges.
The program recognizes the critical role that access to healthy, nutrient-rich foods plays during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
About the Program
The Maternal Produce Prescription Program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
The initiative seeks to strengthen maternal healthcare by integrating nutrition support services into healthcare and community settings.
Through strategic partnerships and evidence-based interventions, the program aims to reduce barriers to healthy food access while supporting healthier pregnancies and improved maternal outcomes.
Funding Details
Organizations selected under the MP3 program may receive significant financial support to implement their proposed projects.
Key funding information includes:
- Grant amount: Up to $500,000 per award
- Total expected funding: Approximately $13 million
- Funding year: FY 2026
- Funding source: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
The funding supports the design, implementation, and expansion of community-based maternal nutrition initiatives.
Program Goals and Objectives
The Maternal Produce Prescription Program focuses on improving nutrition, food security, and maternal health outcomes.
Key objectives include:
- Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption among pregnant and postpartum women
- Improving household food security
- Supporting healthier pregnancies
- Improving birth outcomes
- Enhancing postpartum recovery and wellness
- Expanding access to produce prescription programs
- Increasing participation in nutrition education programs
- Strengthening community partnerships
- Improving access to healthy foods in underserved communities
- Addressing nutrition insecurity among maternal populations
Key Focus Areas
Produce Prescription Interventions
Produce prescription programs provide eligible participants with access to fruits and vegetables through vouchers, prescriptions, incentives, or similar mechanisms.
Potential activities include:
- Fresh produce voucher programs
- Produce purchasing incentives
- Food access support initiatives
- Partnerships with local food providers
- Nutrition-focused healthcare referrals
Maternal Nutrition Education
Organizations may develop educational programs that help participants make informed nutrition decisions during pregnancy and postpartum recovery.
Topics may include:
- Healthy eating during pregnancy
- Nutrient requirements for maternal health
- Infant nutrition awareness
- Meal planning and food preparation
- Nutrition-related disease prevention
Household Food Security
Projects should support efforts to improve food access and reduce food insecurity among families.
Strategies may include:
- Community food access programs
- Nutrition assistance referrals
- Food system partnerships
- Community resource navigation
- Healthy food distribution initiatives
Maternal and Birth Outcomes
The program seeks to improve health indicators associated with pregnancy and childbirth.
Areas of impact may include:
- Maternal nutrition status
- Prenatal health outcomes
- Birth outcomes
- Postpartum recovery
- Family health and wellness
Why Maternal Nutrition Matters
Nutrition plays a critical role throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Access to nutrient-rich foods supports:
- Maternal health and well-being
- Healthy fetal development
- Reduced nutrition-related health risks
- Improved pregnancy outcomes
- Recovery after childbirth
- Long-term family health
Research consistently shows that healthy diets rich in fruits and vegetables can contribute to better health outcomes for mothers and children.
The MP3 initiative seeks to address nutritional barriers that often affect low-income and underserved populations.
Who Is Eligible?
The program is open to a wide range of organizations involved in healthcare, nutrition, education, and community development.
Eligible applicants include:
- State governments
- Local governments
- Tribal governments
- Tribal organizations
- Educational institutions
- Universities and colleges
- Nonprofit organizations
- Community-based organizations
- Private organizations
- For-profit organizations
Organizations should demonstrate the capacity to implement programs that serve maternal populations and improve nutrition outcomes.
Partnership Requirements
Applicants must establish partnerships that support successful program implementation.
Required application materials include:
- A letter of support from a healthcare partner
- A letter of support from a community-based organization partner
These partners should be actively involved in serving pregnant and postpartum populations.
Partnerships help strengthen coordination between healthcare systems, community services, and food access programs.
Types of Activities That May Be Supported
Funded projects may include a variety of evidence-based interventions.
Examples include:
- Produce voucher programs
- Fresh food prescription initiatives
- Nutrition counseling services
- Maternal health education workshops
- Community outreach programs
- Food access and distribution initiatives
- Healthcare referral systems
- Community partnership development
- Healthy food access projects
- Nutrition insecurity reduction programs
Projects should focus on improving maternal and family health outcomes through increased access to nutritious foods.
How the Program Works
Step 1: Build Strategic Partnerships
Organizations establish partnerships with healthcare providers and community-based organizations serving maternal populations.
Step 2: Design a Nutrition Intervention
Applicants develop a program focused on produce prescriptions, nutrition education, food security, or related maternal health initiatives.
Step 3: Submit a Grant Application
Organizations submit a proposal outlining:
- Program objectives
- Target population
- Planned activities
- Partnership structure
- Expected outcomes
- Evaluation approach
Step 4: Implement the Program
Selected organizations launch their initiatives and begin serving eligible maternal populations.
Step 5: Measure Outcomes
Programs track outcomes related to:
- Fruit and vegetable consumption
- Food security improvements
- Maternal health indicators
- Birth outcomes
- Participant engagement
Benefits of the Program
Organizations selected for funding can:
- Expand maternal nutrition services
- Improve community health outcomes
- Strengthen healthcare partnerships
- Increase access to healthy foods
- Support underserved populations
- Address nutrition insecurity
- Develop sustainable community programs
- Improve maternal and infant health indicators
Communities benefit through stronger support systems and improved access to nutritious food resources.
Tips for a Strong Application
Organizations can improve their chances of success by:
- Demonstrating strong community partnerships
- Clearly defining target populations
- Presenting measurable outcomes
- Showing evidence of community need
- Developing sustainable program models
- Incorporating healthcare and nutrition expertise
- Explaining how food access barriers will be addressed
- Including realistic implementation plans
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common application issues:
- Missing required letters of support
- Weak partnership structures
- Unclear program goals
- Limited evaluation plans
- Insufficient evidence of community need
- Unrealistic project timelines
- Incomplete application materials
- Lack of measurable outcomes
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Maternal Produce Prescription Program (MP3)?
MP3 is a grant program that supports produce prescription and nutrition education initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes among pregnant and postpartum women and their families.
Who funds the Maternal Produce Prescription Program?
The program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
How much funding is available?
Organizations may receive grants of up to $500,000 per award, with approximately $13 million available through the FY 2026 funding cycle.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include state and local governments, tribal organizations, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and private or for-profit organizations.
Are partnerships required?
Yes. Applicants must submit letters of support from both a healthcare partner and a community-based organization partner.
What are produce prescription interventions?
Produce prescription programs provide participants with access to fruits and vegetables through vouchers, incentives, referrals, or similar approaches that promote healthy eating.
What populations does the program serve?
The initiative focuses on pregnant women, postpartum women, and their families, particularly those living in low-income and underserved communities.
Conclusion
The Maternal Produce Prescription Program (MP3) represents an important investment in maternal health, nutrition security, and community well-being. By providing grants of up to $500,000, the program enables organizations to develop innovative produce prescription interventions, nutrition education initiatives, and food access programs that support healthier pregnancies and postpartum outcomes.
Through collaboration between healthcare providers, community organizations, and local food systems, the initiative seeks to improve diet quality, increase food security, and create lasting health benefits for mothers, infants, and families across underserved communities.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
