MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Component 1

• A completed and signed financial assistance application form.
• A completed financing plan for the project.
• The latest financial statements covering one full year of operations, audited, reviewed, or compiled by an external CPA. Slaughterhouses and cheese makers may instead provide other documents that allow MAPAQ to assess their financial situation, such as a personal balance sheet, latest income tax return, financial statements, interim financial statements, or proof of financing sources.
• The external expert's service offer, if available at the time of filing.
• Documents supporting any ministerial bonus request, if available at the time of filing.

Who is eligible?

• Food processing businesses.
• Businesses carrying out at least two MAPAQ-recognized activities sold wholesale or online.
• Businesses operating a central kitchen.

Who is not eligible

• Businesses that transform only feed for farm animals.
• Businesses whose aquatic processing establishment is located in maritime regions and mainly prepares and cans aquatic products.
• Financial cooperatives and banks.
• Public bodies, Crown corporations, and municipal entities.
• Businesses involved in restaurants or food service activities.

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

• The Ministry sends an acknowledgement of receipt when the application is submitted.
• If information is missing, the applicant receives a written request by email.
• Eligible complete applications are confirmed as admissible; incomplete or ineligible applications are rejected.
• If approved, the applicant must sign a financial assistance agreement.
• A review request can be filed within 20 business days of the decision notice.

• The program ended on March 31, 2026. No new applications are being accepted.
• All required documents must be completed in French and sent together in a single email to transfo@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca.
• Expense eligibility starts only once a complete application has been received and deemed admissible by MAPAQ.
• MAPAQ regional food processing advisors can provide pre-submission support, but this support does not guarantee admissibility or funding.
• An applicant may request a review of an evaluation decision within 20 business days of notification using the official review form. New information or documents that were not part of the initial application will not be considered.
• A maximum 10% bonus may apply for certain ministerial or government priorities, and total public funding for the project cannot exceed 60% of eligible expenses, or 70% for certain priority projects.