The Canadian and Ontario governments are investing up to $5 million through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) to support small businesses in the agriculture and food industry. The funding, provided through the Food Safety and Growth Initiative, aims to help food processors, producers, and service providers improve food safety systems, adopt new technologies, and provide related training. This initiative supports the goals of the Grow Ontario Strategy by strengthening the province’s agri-food supply chain and enhancing food safety standards, thereby boosting consumer confidence, and enabling business growth.
The Sustainable CAP is a five-year, $3.5 billion investment by federal, provincial, and territorial governments aimed at enhancing the competitiveness, innovation, and resilience of Canada’s agriculture sector.
Funding Snapshot: SCAP – Food Safety and Growth Initiative
Funding Amount:
- Up to 50% of eligible costs to a max of $75,000 per project.
- A maximum of 2 projects per applicant can be funded under this initiative.
Eligible Applicants:
- Ontario-based primary producers, processors or service providers in the agriculture or food sector;
- The applicant must produce, process or service foods made from plants, meat, or dairy, and/or other ready to eat foods; and
- Have fewer than 100 employees at the project location.
Eligible Projects/Activities:
Projects must support small agri-food businesses and stimulate growth in the agriculture and food sector through the following activities:
- Modernize food safety systems; or
- Adopt new food safety and traceability equipment, technologies, and standards.
Eligible Expenses/Costs:
- 3rd party assessments to improve food safety systems;
- 3rd party assessments to develop or improve food safety or traceability programs;
- Equipment and technology upgrades; and
- First time certification audits.
Timeline:
- Applications will be accepted starting August 21, 2024.
- Application deadline is December 1, 2025 or when funds fully committed.
- Applicants must provide quotes with the submission and cannot begin project spends until the application is approved.
Stack Your Agri-Business Grants
“Investments through the Food Safety and Growth Initiative will allow smaller food businesses to improve their operations so they can grow and compete in Ontario and outside our borders.”
Rob Flack, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.
By providing the necessary resources and funding, the governments of Canada and Ontario are not only safeguarding public health but also empowering these businesses to expand and thrive in both local and global markets. As the initiative unfolds, it promises to fortify the province’s agri-food sector, ensuring it remains a pillar of strength in the Canadian economy.
Even better, businesses applying for the Food Safety and Growth Initiative can maximize their funding opportunities by stacking this grant with the Supply Management Processing Investment Fund (SMPIF). The SMPIF offers up to 50% of eligible project costs, with a maximum of $5 million per application, specifically for processors of supply-managed commodities. This fund helps businesses invest in new automated equipment and technology, improving productivity, efficiency, and product quality while addressing labor shortages and accelerating automation.
By strategically combining these two grants, businesses can achieve up to 70% cost coverage for their projects, significantly reducing their out-of-pocket expenses. This approach not only amplifies the impact of each grant but also enables companies to make substantial advancements in their operations without bearing the full financial burden. As experts within Canada’s grant writing industry, we can support you with your applications this season – contact us today!