(MAPAQ) - Food Processing Program - Component 3
QC, Canada
Help companies develop their markets by supporting the implementation and updating of quality and safety management systems, as well as the improvements required to comply with government market access requirements that differ from Canadian requirements.
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateNovember 29, 2024
- grant_single|closingDateJune 25, 2024
- grant_single|grantStatusClosed
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
grant_single|grantors
- Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
The competitiveness of the industry depends on companies' ability to sell their products in the marketplace. Increasingly, access to major chains, distributors and certain markets requires compliance with high quality and food safety standards to maintain consumer confidence. Setting these standards requires specialized expertise and major investment.
grant_single_labels|projects
The grant context provided does not specify eligible geographical areas for the companies applying for this particular grant. As such, no specific regions or locations were mentioned.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$30,000
Implementing a preventive control plan for a seafood processing plant
$37,500
Updating food safety system in a meat processing plant to comply with new government regulations
$40,000
Implementation of a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system for a dairy processing facility
$45,000
Implementation of GFSI-recognized quality system in a beverage production facility
$18,750
Implementing an organic certification system for a local organic farm business
$22,500
Updating a food safety management system in a bakery to meet new GFSI standards
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligible applicants Eligible applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
- Are companies registered with the Quebec Enterprise Register;
- Are applying for financial assistance for an establishment they operate in Quebec;
- Have been in operation for at least one full year (12 months);
- The establishment for which the application for financial assistance is submitted meets at least one of the following conditions:
o It carries out food processing activities, or at least two other activities recognized by the Ministry whose food products are, at the time of application, offered on the wholesale market or online;
o Operates a central kitchen.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
- Registered with the Quebec Enterprise Register.
- Operating an establishment in Quebec.
- Have operated an establishment for at least one full year (12 months).
- Applying for an establishment that carries out food processing activities or at least two other activities recognized by the Ministry, with products offered on the wholesale market or via online sales, or operating a central kitchen.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
- Applicants whose establishment for which financial assistance is requested processes exclusively livestock feed;
- Applicants whose aquatic product processing establishments are located in maritime regions and whose main activity is the preparation and canning of aquatic products (NAICS code 3117);
- Government departments, budget-funded bodies, non-budget-funded bodies, Crown corporations listed in Schedules 1 to 3 of the Financial Administration Act (RLRQ, chapter A-6.001), corporations controlled directly or indirectly by a government (provincial or federal) or by a Crown corporation, as well as municipal entities;
- Financial cooperatives and banking institutions;
- Applicants registered in the Register of companies not eligible for public contracts (RENA), including their subcontractors registered in the RENA, accessible at the following address: https://amp.quebec/rena/;
- Applicants who, during the two years preceding the application for financial assistance, have failed to meet their obligations after having been duly put on notice by the Minister, and this in connection with a previous financial assistance granted by the latter;
- Applicants who are subject to an order issued by the Minister or a judge under the Animal Welfare and Safety Act (RLRQ, chapter B-3.1); 19
- Applicants who are for-profit companies with more than 100 employees, who are requesting financial assistance of $100,000 or more, and who are unable to meet the requirements of the Equal Access to Employment Program;
- Applicants who are under the protection of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (R.S.C. [1985], chapter C-36) or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (R.S.C. [1985], chapter B-3).
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The closed Program for Food Transformation in Quebec focused on enhancing key aspects of the food processing sector. It targeted productivity, labor efficiency, and addressing market access challenges among others.
- Planning and skill development in food processing businesses to facilitate project implementation.
- Increasing workforce productivity through automation and integrated management systems.
- Supporting companies to develop markets by implementing food quality and safety management systems.
- Enhancing the competitiveness and addressing environmental challenges in slaughterhouses and dairies.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The program potentially covers expenses related to enhancing productivity, competitiveness, and addressing environmental challenges in the agri-food sector.
- Costs for external expertise to aid project planning and skill development.
- Expenses for purchasing automation and robotization equipment to enhance workforce productivity.
- Investment in systems for quality and safety management to meet diverse market requirements.
- Expenditures related to competitiveness projects in abattoirs and dairies.
- Funding for structural projects addressing regional, sectoral, and environmental challenges in the abattoir and dairy industries.
grant_single_labels|criteria
Projects are submitted on an ongoing basis.
All complete applications for financial assistance, for which both the applicant and the project are eligible, will be analyzed by representatives of the Minister, based on the following criteria:
- Relevance of the project to the objective of the component;
- Feasibility, realism and viability of the project;
- Presence of the technical, organizational and administrative capacity required to carry out the project;
- The viability and financial performance of the applicant;
- correspondence between the planning form and the presentation of the project in the application for financial assistance. The Minister's decision will be communicated to the applicant by e-mail.
grant_single_labels|register
On-line subscription, form sent via MAPAQ website - Processing takes 2 to 4 weeks. An advisor in charge of the application file will contact the applicant and follow up on the progress of each application.
- Preparation:
- Visit the program's webpage to download all required documents.
- Gather and prepare the necessary documents, such as the completed and signed financial aid application form, financing plan, financial statements verified by an external CPA, and additional specific documents for slaughterhouses and cheese factories if applicable.
- Support (Optional):
- Before submitting your application, you can request support by contacting Ms. Emmanuelle De Meyer by email to help prepare your application.
- Submitting the Application:
- Ensure all required documents are complete and in French.
- Send all documents in the same email to transfo@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca.
- Reception of Acknowledgment:
- After submitting the application, the Ministry will send an acknowledgment of receipt to confirm that the application has been received.
- Eligibility Check:
- The Ministry will review the application to ensure it is complete and that both the applicant and the project meet the eligibility criteria. If the application is incomplete, it will be rejected. An eligibility confirmation will be sent for eligible applications.
- Project Analysis:
- A representative of the Ministry will analyze the application based on criteria such as relevance, feasibility, and financial performance of the project.
- Decision:
- You will receive a decision notice indicating whether the project is funded or not. If the project is approved, a financial aid agreement will be sent to you for signature.
- Request for Review (if rejected):
- If your application is rejected, you can request a review of the decision within 20 business days following the communication of the decision. Use the form available on the program's webpage for this purpose.
- Project Start:
- Once financial aid is granted and the agreement is signed, you can begin incurring eligible expenses for the project as established in the conditions.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
- Maximum rate of financial assistance: 50% of eligible expenses
- Increased financial assistance: 10% for projects meeting ministerial or government priorities In the case of equipment purchased from a supplier registered with the Quebec Business Register, the increase applies only to the eligible expense, not to all eligible expenses.
- Minimum amount of assistance granted: $7,500
- Maximum amount of assistance: $150,000 per establishment for the duration of the program.
- Type of contribution from applicant and partners: In cash
- Minimum private funding from applicant: 20% of eligible expenses
grant_single_labels|contact
smsaia@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca
418 380-2110
Apply to this program
Empowering Quebec's Food Transformation Industry
This grant program aimed to enhance productivity, competitiveness, and the environmental footprint of Quebec's food transformation sector through various targeted initiatives. Although the program has closed as of June 25, 2024, it played a crucial role in supporting the development and improvement of industry-specific projects.
In-depth Insights into the Food Transformation Grant Program
The Food Transformation Grant Program was a strategic initiative by the Government of Quebec, designed to bolster the food transformation industry through targeted funding mechanisms. The program comprised multiple components, each focusing on a crucial aspect of the industry’s development, including project planning, workforce productivity, quality and food safety management, and addressing the competitiveness and environmental challenges faced by slaughterhouses and cheese factories.
The first component, focused on project planning and skill development, aimed to seamlessly support the growth of food transformation enterprises by facilitating access to external expertise and in-house skill acquisition. By promoting professional development, the program ensured that companies were well-equipped to tackle industry challenges and harness opportunities for growth.
In parallel, the workforce productivity component sought to catalyze significant advancements in business operations through automation and the integration of advanced management systems. This component was particularly essential for companies aspiring to enhance their operational efficiency and maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving market.
The quality and safety management component was tailored to assist businesses in implementing and updating their management systems to comply with varied governmental market access requirements, both domestically and internationally. By supporting these improvements, the program not only helped businesses meet regulatory demands but also facilitated their entry into new markets, thereby expanding their reach and potential customer base.
An acute focus on the meat and dairy sectors materialized through the fourth component, which directly addressed the specific competitiveness and environmental challenges these subsectors face. This component was further divided into two sub-sections: competitiveness and regional, sectoral, and environmental issues. Projects under these categories were directed toward investments that resolve industry-specific challenges, ensuring companies could sustainably position themselves in the global market.
Despite the program's closure, its legacy persists through the tangible advancements and innovations it catalyzed across Quebec’s food transformation sector. The structured approach not only led to immediate economic benefits but also fostered long-term development frameworks that continue to influence the sector.
The program's comprehensive support mechanisms, ranging from budget allocation to expert consultations, underscored the provincial government’s commitment to enhancing local industries. Although no new applications are accepted post-June 2024, the guidance and frameworks established serve as a reference for ongoing and future initiatives within the sector.
Furthermore, for businesses and stakeholders wishing to leverage their products' visibility, the "Répertoire des aliments québécois" remains available as a platform to enhance consumer and professional networking across diverse food distribution channels. Thus, while the formal funding avenues have concluded, paths to engagement and market presence sustain the program’s overarching goals.
