How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $750000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Component 1?

MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Component 1 is funded by Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ)

What are MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Component 1's eligibility criterias?

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.

MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Component 1

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QC, Canada

Food transformation skill development and planning support program

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Grant and Funding

grant_single|eligibleIndustries

Manufacturing

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Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ)

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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.

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Financial assistance can cover up to 50% of eligible project expenses, up to a maximum of $75,000 per establishment for the duration of the program.
The minimum amount of financial assistance that may be granted is $5,000.
The maximum total financial assistance per applicant, including affiliated applicants and across all program components, is $750,000.

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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.

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$ 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

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The applicant must be registered with the Registraire des entreprises du Québec.
The application must be submitted for an establishment operated in Quebec.
The business must have operated an establishment for at least one full year (12 months).
The application must be for an establishment engaged in food processing activities or at least two other activities recognized by MAPAQ, with food products available on the wholesale market or through online sales, or for the operation of a central kitchen.
The project must be related to eligible expenses of at least $10,000.
The project must have a maximum duration of 36 months from the date of the financial support award.
The project must involve hiring an external expert, unaffiliated with the applicant, for at least one of the following: a business diagnostic, workforce recruitment/retention strategy, employee skills development, business transfer planning, or preparation of plans and specifications.
The project must be related to food processing procedures or other activities recognized by the Ministry.

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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

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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.

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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.

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Quebec (for establishments operated within Quebec)

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Relevance of the project to the specific objective of Component 1 (facilitation of project implementation through external expertise and skill development).
Demonstration of the applicant's technical, organizational, and administrative capacities to carry out the project.
Assessment of the financial viability and performance of the business, based on external financial statements or equivalent documentation.
Analysis based on seven financial data points: equity, revenue, liquidity measurement, cumulative return after dividends, return on assets, asset management efficiency, and self-financing level of the enterprise.

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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.