Market Development and Access

The New Brunswick Market Development and Access Program supports local food and beverage producers, processors, and agri-businesses by providing funding to enhance market readiness, development, and direct-to-consumer sales. The program aims to boost the industry’s capabilities to enter new and existing markets while reducing associated risks through financial assistance and strategic initiatives.

The New Brunswick Market Development and Access Program is a government-backed initiative designed to support and elevate the province's food and beverage sector. Recognizing the rich microclimates and fertile grounds of New Brunswick, this program seeks to capitalize on these natural advantages by bolstering the market readiness and expansion efforts of local producers and businesses. The comprehensive program is divided into three critical elements: Market Readiness, Market Development, and Direct to Consumers. Each element is tailored to address specific industry needs and promote overall growth.

Eligible Applicants: - All food and beverages producers and processors in New Brunswick. - Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Seafood producers and associations. - Agri-businesses, Aquaculture businesses, and Seafood businesses, excluding food service enterprises such as restaurants and catering. Eligible Activities: 1. Market Assessment and Research - Third-party assessments and consulting services for market research. - Conducting customer focus groups. 2. New Product Development - In-house technical training programs facilitated by third parties. - Training for updated nutrition labeling and health claim requirements. - Specialized product testing, including focus groups, to validate market readiness. - Nutritional analysis of new products. - Design and development of nutritional or specialty labels by Health Canada-recognized entities. - Purchase of equipment for packaging and labeling new products. 3. Market Access Certification - Costs for third-party consultants and certification requirements. - Training required for meeting market access standards. - First-time audit fees for new certifications. Ineligible Activities: Activities not explicitly mentioned as eligible, such as infrastructure costs, cost of tangible asset point of sale merchandise, normal operations, and in-home processing, are ineligible. Levels of Assistance: - Up to 50% funding to a maximum of $15,000 per project and a combined annual maximum of $45,000.

Eligible Applicants: - Similar to Market Readiness: All food and beverages producers and processors, Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Seafood producers and associations, Agri-businesses, Aquaculture businesses, and Seafood businesses, excluding food service enterprises. Eligible Activities: 1. Tradeshows, Missions, Product Showcasing, Promotional Events - Economy airfare or mileage for incoming buyers within New Brunswick. - Per diems for accommodations, in-market travel, and meals. - Costs related to tradeshow booth rentals like registration fees, electrical, furniture, and booth graphics. - Shipping costs for product showcases and trade shows. - Interpreter and consultancy services for trade activities. - In-store culinary demonstrations or sampling activities. 2. Creative Services, Website, Social Media Development - Design of marketing materials, signage, brochures, labels, and packaging. - Enhancements to websites and e-commerce platforms. - Development of marketing strategies and campaigns by third-party consultants. - Translation services. Ineligible Activities: Non-eligible activities include infrastructure costs, tangible asset point of sale merchandise costs, and in-house work. Levels of Assistance: - Up to 50% funding to a maximum of $15,000 per project and a combined annual maximum of $45,000. - Out-of-Province Per Diems for up to 2 company employees: $100 CAD per day for in-Canada travel for up to 5 days, $150 CAD per day for US travel, and $200 CAD per day for international travel for up to 10 days. - Incoming buyer Per Diems for a maximum of 3 days at $100 CAD per day.

Eligible Applicants: - Identical to previous elements: All food and beverages producers and processors, Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Seafood producers and associations, Agri-businesses, Aquaculture businesses, and Seafood businesses, excluding food service enterprises. Eligible Activities: 1. Farmer’s Market Development - Electrical and plumbing upgrades specific to farmer’s markets. - Purchase of display units such as coolers and freezers. 2. Food and Beverages Tourism - Costs associated with on-site tourism activities for Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Fisheries (AAF) operations. - Example activities include educational programs, visitor experiences, corn mazes, interpretive centers, cooling tables, and protective clothing for specific processes like beekeeping. Ineligible Activities: As in previous elements, activities not explicitly listed as eligible, such as infrastructure costs and typical business operations, are ineligible. Levels of Assistance: - Up to 50% funding to a maximum of $15,000 per project and an annual maximum of $45,000.

All applicants are advised to review the administrative guidelines before submitting their applications. Familiarization with these guidelines ensures compliance and increases the likelihood of a successful application. Specific attention should be paid to eligible activities, ineligible activities, and the level of assistance provided. Applications can be submitted either via email or mail. The correspondence details are as follows: Email Applications: Sustainable.CAP@gnb.ca Mail Applications: Sustainable CAP Program Administrator Industry Financial Programs Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Fisheries PO Box 6000 Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1 Prior discussion with a Business Growth Officer, Development Officer, or Specialist is highly recommended. Applicants should ensure all necessary permits, environmental approvals, or certifications are obtained for their projects.

Projects demonstrating benefits across multiple provinces may be eligible for regional funding. This expands the impact and scope of the program while fostering collaborative growth. Awardees may be required to report on the impact of the funding received. These reporting requirements will be specified in the letter of offer provided to successful applicants, ensuring transparency and accountability.

The New Brunswick Market Development and Access Program provides a robust framework to support the growth and expansion of the province’s food and beverage sector. By focusing on market readiness, development, and direct-to-consumer strategies, the program aims to enhance the marketability and profitability of local products on both the domestic and international stages. With structured financial assistance and strategic initiatives, New Brunswick’s food and beverage industry is well-positioned to take advantage of emerging opportunities and thrive in competitive markets.