Closed
Local Food Infrastructure Fund – Small Scale Projects
Funding for non-profits to support local food systems
Last Update: April 10, 2026
Funding available
$ 25,000 - $ 500,000
Timeline
- Open Date : January 13, 2025
- Closing date : March 1, 2025
Location
Pacific, Canada
Overview
Your not-for-profit organization could get funding to improve access to safe, healthy and culturally-diverse food and to promote environmentally sustainable food systems while supporting local communities.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Increase social or community impact
- Optimize production processes
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Minimum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : January 13, 2025
- Closing date : March 1, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Location
- Pacific
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Other Racialized Persons
- Black Canadians
- 2SLGBTQI+
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Social Services
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- LGBTQ+ community
- Rural / Remote communities
- Low-income individuals / families
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Local
- Municipal
- Regional
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
The Local Food Infrastructure Fund supports projects that enhance community food security by improving access to and availability of local, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food. Eligible projects focus on infrastructure and equipment related to food production for equity-deserving groups.
- Purchase and installation of equipment to produce food, such as growing and harvesting tools.
- Installation of infrastructure, such as community gardens with irrigation systems.
- Setting up greenhouses equipped with sustainable technologies like solar panels.
- Establishment of food forests aimed at local food production.
- Purchase and installation of equipment for processing, distributing, storing, and transporting food, contingent upon the inclusion of a food production element.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
This grant is designed for organizations in Canada focusing on enhancing community food security through locally-driven projects. It aims to benefit particularly Indigenous and Black communities and promote equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- Indigenous organizations: First Nation, Inuit, or Métis communities and their respective governments, associations, or non-profit organizations.
- Not-for-profit entities with a mandate or mission to provide community food services, including local community, charitable or voluntary organizations.
- Municipal administrations with a focus on promoting community food security.
- Organizations that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion by ensuring access to opportunities for marginalized groups, such as Two-Spirit, LGBTQI+, Black, and Indigenous communities.
- Organizations incorporated as a legal entity for at least 2 years and capable of entering legally binding agreements.
Who is not eligible
This grant excludes certain companies and industries due to their status or main activity. The restrictions aim to ensure that funds are utilized to support community food security initiatives.
- Schools, school boards, as well as academic and educational institutions.
- For-profit entities.
- Unincorporated entities.
- Organizations that have signed a funding agreement with the LFIF since September 2021.
- Applications submitted by a third party, such as consultants applying on behalf of an eligible applicant.
Eligible expenses
The grant is intended to enhance community food security by supporting projects focused on food production for equity-deserving groups. These initiatives emphasize increasing access to nutritious and culturally appropriate local food.
- Building a community garden with an irrigation system.
- Installing a greenhouse with solar panels.
- Establishing a food forest.
- Purchase and installation of equipment to grow and/or harvest food.
- Purchase and installation of equipment to process, distribute, store, and/or transport food, when linked to food production.
Eligible geographic areas
This grant can be accessed by eligible organizations across Canada. The funding is aimed at supporting local projects that focus on community food security.
- Organizations located anywhere within Canada.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Requests for extensions beyond the closing deadline for application submissions will not be accepted, stressing the importance of timely application.
- All funding decisions are influenced by criteria like priority populations, geographic distribution, and the diversity of projects in order to ensure equitable support.
- If an applicant organization has various branches or departments, only one application can be submitted per legal entity.
- Quebec-based applicants must ensure compliance with the Province of Quebec's M-30 legislation, including obtaining necessary authorizations.
- Ownership of eligible equipment funded by the grant must be maintained for at least two years following the project completion date.
Documents and links
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Local Food Infrastructure Fund – Small Scale Projects Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Local Food Infrastructure Fund – Small Scale Projects. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Local Food Infrastructure Fund – Small Scale Projects?
Your not-for-profit organization could get funding to improve access to safe, healthy and culturally-diverse food and to promote environmentally sustainable food systems while supporting local communities.
How much funding can be received?
Local Food Infrastructure Fund – Small Scale Projects Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses, capped at $500,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was March 1, 2025.
Who is eligible for the Local Food Infrastructure Fund – Small Scale Projects program?
To be eligible for the Local Food Infrastructure Fund – Small Scale Projects program, you must:
The organization must be a not-for-profit or municipal administration, including First Nation, Inuit, or Métis organizations.
The organization must foster equity, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring equal access for diverse groups.
The organization must have been in operation for at least 2 years as a legal entity capable of entering into binding agreements.
What expenses are eligible under Local Food Infrastructure Fund – Small Scale Projects?
The Local Food Infrastructure Fund supports projects that enhance community food security by improving access to and availability of local, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food. Eligible projects focus on infrastructure and equipment related to food production for equity-deserving groups. Purchase and installation of equipment to produce food, such as growing and harvesting tools.
Installation of infrastructure, such as community gardens with irrigation systems.
Setting up greenhouses equipped with sustainable technologies like solar panels.
Establishment of food forests aimed at local food production.
Purchase and installation of equipment for processing, distributing, storing, and transporting food, contingent upon the inclusion of a food production element.
Who can I contact for more information about the Local Food Infrastructure Fund – Small Scale Projects?
You can contact Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) or by phone at 1-866-367-8506.
Where is the Local Food Infrastructure Fund – Small Scale Projects available?
The Local Food Infrastructure Fund – Small Scale Projects program is available across Canada.