How much funding can be received?

The Food Processing Growth Fund is a three-year initiative funded by the Government of BC, offering up to $1,000,000 in cost-shared funding per project to support the scale-up of BC's value-added food processing sector by enhancing productivity through infrastructure upgrades, new equipment, and training. Eligible activities include investing in new or improved facilities, advanced technologies, applied R&D, and specialized training.

grant_single_labels|projects

This grant supports projects in BC’s diverse value-added food processing sector to upgrade facilities, integrate new technologies, and enhance productivity through skill development and research. The eligible activities focus on capital investments, technology implementation, research and training that align with the program goals.

Purchase and installation of new or upgraded/expanded facilities and infrastructure, including renovations and site improvements.
Investment in new/upgraded equipment and machinery to increase production capacity or support product line expansion.
Adoption of new innovative technologies, software, and advanced automation systems like AI and robotics to enhance processing capacity.
Applied Research & Development for new and improved products, including access to laboratory equipment for product development and analysis.
Training and upskilling staff involved in infrastructure or equipment upgrades, new processes or systems implementation.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

To be eligible for the Food Processing Growth Fund, applicants must meet specific criteria related to their geographical location and business profile.

The applicant must be located in the Province of British Columbia.
The applicant must be an established food and/or seafood processing business, with a minimum of two years in operation.
The applicant must have a minimum of $500,000 in gross annual revenues, verified through audited financial statements.
The applicant may be an established commercial food hub, commissary kitchen, or other shared-use commercial food processing facility.
The applicant may be an industry group or association.
Subsidiaries can apply separately from their parent organization, but must be legal entities that meet the two-year and $500,000 revenue criteria as a subsidiary, ensuring total funding does not exceed project limits for the parent organization and its subsidiaries.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

The Food Processing Growth Fund is designed for eligible participants within the food processing sector in British Columbia. Those who can apply include:1. Established BC-based food and seafood processing businesses - Businesses with a minimum of two years in operation and at least $500,000 in gross annual revenues.2. BC-based commercial food hubs, commissary kitchens, and other shared-use commercial food processing facilities - These facilities cater to multiple users by offering space and resources for food production.3. BC Industry groups and associations - This includes organizations representing a collective group of businesses within the food processing sector.Subdivisions of parent companies are also eligible if they qualify independently from the parent, meeting the two-year operation and revenue requirements.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

The Food Processing Growth Fund explicitly outlines ineligible entities to ensure the program aligns with its goals of supporting specific sectors. The following types of companies and industries are not eligible to apply for this grant:

Retail food services or operations.
Processors or manufacturers of pet food, except where providing value-add to waste from the food supply.
Processors or manufacturers of cannabis-infused food products and beverages.
Restaurants and food service, including catering services.
Packaging material manufacturers.
Processors or manufacturers of health products or nutritional supplements.
Processors or manufacturers of alcohol-based beverages and ingredients meant for alcohol-based beverages.
New entrant businesses.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

The grant covers expenses related to the enhancement and expansion of facilities, equipment, technology, research, and training in the food processing sector.

Purchase and installation of new or upgraded/expanded facilities and infrastructure, such as new cooler/freezer or production room expansion.
Investment in new/upgraded equipment or machinery to increase production capacity or support product line expansion.
Purchase and installation of new technology and systems, including advanced automation, software, AI technology, and systems that increase processing capacity.
Applied Research & Development activities for product improvement, lab analysis, packaging, technology use, and access to laboratory equipment for food and ingredient development and analysis.
Training that supports infrastructure or equipment upgrades or adoption, including specialized training for production and operational staff.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

This grant is available to companies located within British Columbia, as specified by the funding criteria. The eligible geographical areas focus on supporting businesses situated within this Canadian province.

Province of British Columbia, Canada.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for the Food Processing Growth Fund are based on specific prioritization criteria set by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food to ensure a strong alignment with the fund's objectives.

Priority 1: Eligible Participants
Established BC-based food and seafood processing businesses (high priority).
BC-based commercial food hubs, commissary kitchens and other shared-use commercial food processing facilities (equal priority with c).
BC Industry groups and associations (equal priority with b).
Priority 2: Projects that will positively impact the use of BC inputs
Companies/organizations that currently use BC inputs or will increase procurement once the project is completed.
Companies/organizations that do not currently use BC inputs and/or will not increase procurement once the project is completed.
Priority 3: Commodities
Group 1 (highest priority): Seafood, Meat, Fruit and Vegetable.
Group 2: Plant-based protein, Dairy, Bakeries and tortilla, Beverages, Grain and oilseed milling.
Group 3 (lowest priority): Sugar and confectionary, Other foods.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: Preliminary Registration
Create an account on the IAF Client Portal.
Set up a personal profile with your name and email address.
Complete organization registration including name, contact details, organization type, BC ID / CRA numbers, and primary contact information.
Step 2: Apply to the Food Processing Growth Fund
Select "Food Processing Growth Fund" from the funding opportunities listed in the portal.
Enter project details such as applicant type, project start and end dates, and specific project activities.
Confirm that project activities align with and support the program goals.
Provide anticipated project benefits and details about project lead and resources for implementation.
Include information on project expenses and funding required, along with permit status if applicable.
Attach audited financial statements and any additional appendices or supplementary materials that bolster the application.
Step 3: Submit Application
Review the full application in the IAF Client Portal for accuracy and completeness.
Submit the application through the portal before the next available review date.
Step 4: Await Confirmation and Further Communication
Receive a confirmation notification from IAF once the application has been successfully submitted.
Be prepared for possible follow-up communication from IAF for additional information or clarification if necessary.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The program allows stacking of funds from other government programs up to 90%, except for select programs delivered by IAF.
All communications and marketing materials must be pre-approved by the IAF Communications Team to ensure appropriate funding acknowledgment.
Funding cannot be transferred to other projects or activities not initially approved.
A maximum of 50% of cash costs may be provided upfront with an approved cash flow plan.
Applicants are encouraged to provide supporting materials such as a cash flow plan or quotes with their application.
Interim and final reports are required at regular intervals for funding reimbursement and project tracking.
Successful applicants must retain all invoices and receipts, as reimbursement will be based on audited receipts and the approved project budget.
Projects must be completed within a maximum of 24 months from the start date, with all projects ending no later than February 1, 2026.

grant_single_labels|contact

fpg@iafbc.ca

Apply to this program

Driving Growth in BC's Food Processing Sector

The Food Processing Growth Fund offers financial support to established businesses and organizations in British Columbia's food processing sector, aiming to increase productivity and competitiveness. This grant program provides cost-shared funding for facility upgrades, new equipment, and training to boost food production and economic growth within the province.

Detailed Insights into the Food Processing Growth Fund

The Food Processing Growth Fund, a significant initiative by the Government of British Columbia in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, delivers up to $20 million over three years to enhance the province's food processing industry. Managed by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC (IAF), this fund targets established businesses within the sector, including food processors and hubs, commissary kitchens, and industry associations. Its core aim is to assist these entities in scaling up operations, thereby increasing their competitiveness, productivity, and use of BC agricultural inputs.

This grant is particularly crucial given the economic stature of BC's food processing sector, which stands as the second-largest in the province in terms of dollar value. With over 3,200 registered establishments and $12.6 billion in annual sales, the sector is a vital component of the local economy. The funding provided by the FPG is intended to address existing gaps in this sector—whether through infrastructure projects, equipment procurement, or staff training—thereby promoting greater efficiency and output.

Eligible applicants, namely those businesses that are established with at least two years of operation and $500k in annual revenues, can receive considerable financial assistance. The fund covers up to 75% of eligible project costs, with a minimum contribution of $100,000 and a maximum of $1 million, depending on the nature of the project. For training-related initiatives, the financial support ranges from a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $100,000. This structured financial aid ensures that businesses can implement necessary upgrades without bearing the full financial burden, thus facilitating more strategic resource allocation across multiple project areas.

The FPG's emphasis on the utilization of locally sourced BC inputs in projects underscores its commitment to not only support the food processing industry but also to bolster local agriculture. By prioritizing projects that enhance the usage of regional commodities, from seafood and meat to fruits and vegetables, the fund aligns with the province's broader economic and sustainability goals. These strategic priorities ensure that funding is directed toward initiatives that not only promise economic returns but also local community benefits.

Moreover, the grant's flexibility in allowing the stacking of funds from other governmental programs up to 90% aids businesses in maximizing financial resources from multiple funding avenues—except where such stacking is limited by specific rules linked to other IAF-managed programs. This aspect of the grant program is particularly beneficial for larger scale projects that may require significant investment beyond what the FPG alone can provide.

Overall, the Food Processing Growth Fund represents a pivotal opportunity for BC's food processing businesses to innovate and expand. By leveraging this financial support, businesses can not only advance their capabilities and competitiveness but also drive substantial growth in one of the province's key economic sectors. As such, the fund plays a pivotal role in fostering an environment conducive to lasting economic success and sustainability in British Columbia.