Food Security and Supply Chain Fund

This grant provides financing to support projects aimed at increasing resilience and addressing supply chain challenges in the agri-food sector. Specific funding opportunities are determined by project type and the stream under which they fall.

• The Agri-Food Supply Chain Resiliency Analysis stream offers funding up to 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $50,000 per project.
• The Agri-Food Supply Chain Infrastructure Investment stream provides funding up to 25% of eligible costs, up to a maximum of $150,000 per project.
• Depending on the merit assessment and availability of funds, the funding amount may be adjusted from the requested figure.
• Funds are directed towards infrastructure investments and analyses that address market and supply chain challenges.

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's location and sector involvement.

• The applicant must be an Ontario agri-food business or organization.
• Eligible businesses include farms that supply Ontario food processors with their products.
• Farms with production and on-site agri-food processing activities are eligible.
• Food processing businesses that source a significant portion of agricultural inputs from Ontario farms are eligible.
• For the Agri-Food Supply Chain Resiliency Analysis Stream, eligible applicants also include Ontario agri-food non-profit organizations representing Ontario agri-food businesses.

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants include Ontario agri-food businesses such as farms supplying Ontario food processors, farms with production and on-site processing activities, and food processing businesses sourcing significant agricultural inputs from Ontario farms. Additionally, Ontario agri-food organizations that are not-for-profit and represent Ontario agri-food businesses can apply, particularly for the Agri-Food Supply Chain Resiliency Analysis Stream.

Eligible expenses

The grant focuses on costs related to resiliency analysis and infrastructure investments to enhance agri-food sector capacity and supply chain stability.

• Costs for conducting resiliency analysis to identify supply chain gaps and weaknesses.
• Expenses related to developing action plans for priority supply chain areas.
• Purchase of new grading and automation technologies for sorting and packing lines.
• Investment in innovative robotics to increase crop yields and reduce costs.
• Expansion of storage capacity for supply chain resiliency.
• On-farm biosecurity improvement equipment.
• Adoption of robotic milking systems for dairy operations.
• Refrigeration and production capacity enhancements in food processing.
• Conversion of cheese lines to enhance supply stability.
• Investment in inventory software for operational efficiencies.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant, as part of Ontario's economic initiatives, targets companies located within specific regions to address local agri-food sector challenges. The focus is primarily on businesses operating across the province of Ontario.

• Businesses and organizations based in Ontario.

The following additional details are relevant to this grant:

• The grant can be used to leverage additional funding from private sources.
• Recipients must comply with specific reporting requirements set by the Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC).
• There may be amendments or additional intakes announced in the future, as determined by OMAFRA.
• The funding is contingent upon meeting determined milestones and objectives.