Get a subsidy to help lower the high costs associated with stocking and shipping various personal hygiene products and nutritious food to the North, including product purchasing costs, transportation, and insurance and overhead. These savings can then be

Eligibility criteria

The eligibility criteria for the Nutrition North Canada retail subsidy program include the following types of establishments that can apply to register: 1. Retailers operating stores in eligible communities selling eligible food and essential items. 2. Suppliers located outside of eligible communities selling food to northern retailers, eligible social institutions, eligible commercial establishments, and individuals in eligible communities. 3. Country food processors or distributors producing food approved-for-export in eligible communities. 4. Food banks and charitable organizations serving eligible communities without profit. 5. Local food growers operating in eligible communities and producing food for local sale or distribution. Individuals cannot apply for the subsidy but can access subsidized items by purchasing them from registered retailers or placing direct orders with registered suppliers. The program does not subsidize the operations of resource companies, construction companies, and government establishments in or near eligible communities.

Who is eligible

- Retailers - Suppliers - Country food processors or distributors - Food banks and charitable organizations - Local food growers

Who is not eligible

- Mining companies - Oil and gas companies - Exploration companies and camps - Companies providing support activities for mining and oil and gas extraction, exploration and development - Surveying and mapping services - Construction companies - Environmental cleanup operations - Electricity companies - Weather stations - Research stations and projects - Military establishments and operations - Outfitters - Bed and breakfast establishments and boarding houses, except where these facilities are used as women's shelters, emergency housing or other such purpose as affirmed by the local government

Eligible expenses

- Food and essential items sold or distributed at reduced prices - Shipping of eligible items to or grown in eligible communities

Eligible projects & activities

Retailers operating stores in eligible communities who sell eligible food and essential items Suppliers located outside of eligible communities who sell food to northern retailers, eligible social institutions (schools, daycares, and more), eligible commercial establishments (restaurants, hotels, and more), and individuals in eligible communities Country food processors or distributors producing food approved-for-export and located in a community eligible for a subsidy under the program Food banks and charitable organizations serving eligible communities without profit Local food growers operating greenhouses and other growing facilities in eligible communities that produce food for local sale or distribution

Eligible geographic areas

- Eligible communities as specified by Nutrition North Canada - Isolated northern regions approved for the program - Specific communities meeting the criteria for eligibility

Evaluation & selection criteria

- Capacity to submit claims and documentation electronically, related to monthly itemized shipment and pricing reports - Plans for program visibility and transparency for consumers through signage, receipts, and other communication material provided by NNC - Northern shipping experience - Ability to provide eligible food tailored to specific nutrition needs (such as gluten-free, kosher, peanut-free) - Forecast of shipments of eligible food to eligible communities - Indigenous ownership - Financial stability and sustainability

How to apply

The steps to apply for the Nutrition North Canada retail subsidy program are as follows: 1. Contact the program expressing interest in accessing the retail subsidy at nutritionnordcanada-nutritionnorthcanada@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca. 2. Complete an application form and submit supporting documents, including a list of stores or eligible communities served, forecast of monthly shipments, audited financial statements, and an explanation of how program requirements will be met. 3. Await approval and registration with the program by a Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs official. 4. Prepare a Contribution Agreement outlining obligations to receive subsidy payments. 5. Submit subsidy claims each month the subsidy is accessed using the claims portal. 6. Provide additional reporting data as required, including pre-subsidy prices and Revised Northern Food Basket costs. 7. Ensure compliance with program requirements and pass the subsidy on to consumers.

Additional information

- Applicants should be prepared to provide a verifiable forecast of monthly shipments of eligible items by subsidy level for the fiscal year. - Evaluations of supplier applications consider factors such as Northern shipping experience, ability to provide specific nutrition needs, Indigenous ownership, financial stability, and sustainability. - Small retailers and local growers without a business number can provide a letter of support from the local government for registration. - Registered recipients must certify that the subsidy was passed on to consumers for each claim submission. - Additional reporting requirements include periodic reports on pre-subsidy prices and the cost of items in the Revised Northern Food Basket. - Non-eligible organizations for the subsidy include mining companies, oil and gas companies, construction companies, and other specified entities.

Documents and links