Closed
MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Component 1
Food transformation skill development and planning support program
Last Update: April 10, 2026
Funding available
$ 5,000 - $ 75,000
Timeline
- Open Date : May 7, 2025
- Closing date : September 30, 2025
Location
Quebec, Canada
Overview
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.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Attract or retain talent
- Optimize production processes
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 75,000 $
- Minimum amount : 5,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : May 7, 2025
- Closing date : September 30, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- Financial cooperative
- Non-profit
- For-profit business
- Non-financial cooperative
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 50 employees maximum
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
- Business Associations
Target groups
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Hiring an external expert with no business ties to the applicant to conduct a business diagnosis on productivity, competitiveness, business functions, environmental performance, or other aspects.
- Developing and implementing a recruitment or employee retention strategy with external expertise.
- Employee skills development through external expertise or training.
- Planning a business transfer with the support of an external expert.
- Establishing project plans and specifications with the assistance of an external expert.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Businesses registered with the Registraire des entreprises du Québec
- Companies operating a food processing establishment in Quebec
- Enterprises that have operated an establishment for at least one full year (12 months)
- Businesses involved in food processing activities or at least two other activities recognized by the Ministry, with products offered on the wholesale market or via online sales
- Operators of a central kitchen
Who is not eligible
- Companies whose establishment transforms exclusively food for farm animals.
- Establishments processing aquatic products located in maritime regions.
- For-profit companies with at least 50 employees (25 employees or more starting June 1, 2025) for a period of 6 months or more that are unable to meet the requirements of the Charte de la langue française.
- Companies whose establishment’s main activity is the production of nutraceutical products, natural health products (as defined by the Natural Health Product Regulations SOR/2003-196), or products designated by a Drug Identification Number (DIN).
- Companies involved in the food service or restaurant sector, as restaurant activities are not recognized as food processing.
Eligible expenses
- Fees and travel expenses of external experts with no business relationship with the applicant.
- Training costs for personnel, including travel expenses aligned with the Government of Quebec management policies.
- Purchase of specialized information necessary for the completion of the project.
Eligible geographic areas
- Quebec (for establishments operated within Quebec)
Additional information
- This program is currently closed as of June 25, 2024, due to the exhaustion of its allocated budget. No new applications are being accepted.
- An applicant may request a review of an evaluation decision within 20 business days from the date of notification. The review request must be made using the designated form, and new information or documents not included in the original application will not be considered.
- Applicants do not need to engage a consultant to prepare their grant application.
- All required documents must be submitted in French within a single email for the application to be processed.
- Accompaniment services from MAPAQ are available before application submission, but receiving such support does not guarantee the admissibility or approval of the funding request.
- Full program texts, guides, and related documentation can be accessed on MAPAQ’s website, and further information is available through the program’s official email.
- A list of public agencies and organizations considered as offering public financial assistance is available for reference in relation to cumulative funding rules.
- A database (Répertoire des aliments québécois) is available for those wishing to showcase their products to major buyers and consumers.
Documents and links
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Component 1 Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Component 1. 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 MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Component 1?
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.
How much funding can be received?
MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Component 1 Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $75,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was September 30, 2025.
Who is eligible for the MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Component 1 program?
To be eligible for the MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Component 1 program, you must:
The business must be registered with the Registraire des entreprises du Québec.
The applicant must have operated an establishment in Quebec for at least 12 consecutive months.
The business must apply for an establishment involved in food processing or at least two other recognized activities, with products available on the wholesale market or online.
What expenses are eligible under MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Component 1?
Hiring an external expert with no business ties to the applicant to conduct a business diagnosis on productivity, competitiveness, business functions, environmental performance, or other aspects.
Developing and implementing a recruitment or employee retention strategy with external expertise.
Employee skills development through external expertise or training.
Planning a business transfer with the support of an external expert.
Establishing project plans and specifications with the assistance of an external expert.
Who can I contact for more information about the MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Component 1?
You can contact Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ) by email at transfo@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca.
Where is the MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Component 1 available?
The MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Component 1 program is available the province of Quebec.