Don Darnall, Executive Director of Maryland Food Center Authority (MFCA) was a lead speaker on Saturday, February 18th at a meeting hosted by the Rock Hall Mayor & Council’s Waterfront/Watermen Committee. MFCA is the owner of The Clam House on Rock Hall Harbor. The facility was purchased in 1989 by MFCA as part of then-Governor Shaffer’s initiative to reach out to Maryland, Eastern Shore and Rock Hall Watermen. Maryland Watermen’s Association President, Larry Simns, was instrumental in leading this charge and purchase realizing the value of saving a commercial seafood facility in Rock Hall on the harbor.
When the Markos family of Ipswich, MA offered the facility for sale, MFCA negotiated for a price of $625,000 and later received federal funding of $500,000 to make improvements to it.
MFCA was created by Maryland Legislature in 1967 to oversee the development and operations of one of the most extensive food distribution centers in the United States – The Maryland Food Center. During its formation, the concern has operated under the following names:
Greater Baltimore Consolidated Wholesale Food Market Authority, 1967-1975
Maryland Wholesale Food Center Authority, 1975-1979
Maryland Food Center Authority, 1979
The mission is to enhance growth opportunities for Maryland’s agricultural, seafood and food related industries.
Below is the presentation and photos representative of what the facility looked like after restoration.