MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Component 1
grant_single|update April 4, 2025
QC, Canada
Food transformation skill development and planning support program
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|grantStatusClosed
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Manufacturing
grant_single|grantors
- Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
The grant provides a maximum funding of $75,000 to support food processing companies in Quebec by facilitating projects aimed at enhancing workforce productivity, food quality and safety, competitiveness, and environmental sustainability. Eligible activities include hiring external experts for business diagnostics, workforce strategy development, employee skills enhancement, business transfer planning, and project blueprint creation.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
This grant provides specific financing modalities to support eligible food processing projects while ensuring compliance with program requirements. Applicants must meet the defined criteria to access financial assistance.
- A minimum financial assistance of $5,000 can be provided.
- Financial support can cover up to 50% of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $75,000 per establishment for the duration of the program.
- Eligible projects may receive an additional 10% bonus on expenses aligned with ministerial or government priorities.
- The total maximum financial support for all applicant-related requests across program components is $750,000.
- Private financing must constitute at least 20% of eligible expenses.
- Public financial assistance is capped at 60% of eligible expenses or 70% for projects addressing ministerial or governmental priorities.
- Public assistance calculations must incorporate 100% of all public financial aid, whether refundable or non-refundable.
- Financial support from entities like the Canada Development Bank, Canada Agricultural Financing, or La Financière agricole du Québec is treated as private contributions if market conditions are met.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant is designed to support the planning and skill development projects for businesses in the food processing sector. The eligible activities aim to enhance productivity, competitiveness, and human resource management through external expertise.
- Engagement of an external expert to conduct a business diagnosis focusing on productivity, competitiveness, business functions, or environmental performance.
- Development and implementation of a workforce recruitment or retention strategy.
- Employee skill development initiatives.
- Planning for business transfer operations.
- Preparation of plans and specifications related to food processing activities.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 45,000
Developing a marketing strategy for sustainable products
$ 45,000
Enhancing food safety through quality training programs
$ 50,000
Streamlining production with eco-friendly packaging solutions
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific criteria related to the applicant's business activities and location.
- The applicant must be registered with the Registraire des entreprises du Québec.
- The application must be submitted for a facility operated in Quebec.
- The business must have operated for a minimum of one complete year (12 months).
- The request must be for a facility that meets at least one of the following conditions:
- Involvement in food processing activities or at least two other activities recognized by the Ministry with products offered in the wholesale market or through online sales.
- Operation of a central kitchen.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The grant is open to eligible applicants involved in the food processing sector in Quebec who meet specific conditions relating to business registration, operational history, and the nature of their activities.
- Companies registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar.
- Businesses applying for financial assistance for an establishment they operate within Quebec.
- Enterprises that have operated an establishment for at least a complete year (12 months).
- Applicants whose establishment performs food processing activities or at least two other activities recognized by the Ministry, with products currently available in wholesale markets or online sales.
- Establishments that operate a central kitchen.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant excludes certain establishments and companies from eligibility based on specific criteria related to their main activities and employee count. The restrictions ensure alignment with the goals of supporting the food processing industry at a smaller scale.
- Establishments that exclusively transform food for livestock.
- Fish product processing establishments located in maritime regions.
- For-profit companies with at least 50 employees (25 employees or more from June 1, 2025) unable to meet the requirements of the French Language Charter.
- Activities related to the production of animal feed, nutraceuticals, natural health products, and DIN-designated products do not qualify as food within this grant context.
- Food service activities are not recognized as food processing activities.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The grant covers specific expenses directly related to the implementation and success of the project.
- Honoraires et frais de déplacement d'experts externes sans lien d'affaires avec le demandeur.
- Frais de formation du personnel, y compris les frais de déplacement conformes aux barèmes prévus au Recueil des politiques de gestion du gouvernement du Québec.
- Achat d'informations spécialisées permettant la réalisation du projet.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is targeted at companies operating and registered within Quebec, ensuring that the funded projects support the regional food processing development goals. Companies eligible for this grant must be involved in the food transformation sector within the province.
- Companies registered with the Registraire des entreprises du Québec.
- Organizations operating a food processing facility within the province of Quebec.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives and the capability to effectively execute the proposed initiatives.
- The relevance of the project to the program's objectives.
- The presence of necessary technical, organizational, and administrative capacities to execute the project successfully.
- The financial viability and performance of the company.
grant_single_labels|apply
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grant_single_labels|otherInfo
- Applicants can receive support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ) through regional advisors before submitting their applications, though this does not guarantee application acceptance.
- Applications must be submitted in French and sent via email to a specified address.
- The grant can be augmented by a maximum of 10% for projects that align with certain governmental priorities.
- Rejected applications will receive a written explanation of the reasons for non-acceptance.
- Applicants have the right to appeal decisions within 20 working days after notification.
- The total possible financial assistance for a single applicant across all program components is capped at $750,000.
- For specific cases, such as slaughterhouses and cheese factories, additional financial status documents may need to be submitted.
- The program text and its guidelines have precedence over summarised or additional information presented in this guide.
grant_single_labels|contact
transfo@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca
Apply to this program
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