Food Safety and Growth Initiative
ON, Canada
Enhance food safety systems, adopt new technologies, and drive sector growth
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateAugust 21, 2024
- grant_single|closingDateDecember 01, 2025
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale trade
- Transportation and warehousing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
grant_single|grantors
- Government of Ontario
- Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The Food Safety and Growth Initiative aims to support small agri-food businesses in modernizing food safety systems and adopting new food safety and traceability technologies. Eligible activities include third-party assessments for actionable food safety improvements, equipment and technology upgrades for monitoring and hazard reduction, and the development or improvement of food safety or traceability programs. Funding covers 50% of eligible costs up to a maximum of $75,000 per project.
grant_single_labels|projects
Yes, several activities are eligible for this grant. The eligible activities include assessing, upgrading, developing, implementing various food safety systems, and supporting activities such as training and structural modifications that enhance food safety and traceability at food-handling facilities.
- Assessment by a qualified third-party to identify specific, actionable food safety or traceability improvements
- Equipment and technology upgrades to monitor, prevent, reduce, and/or eliminate food safety hazards or improve food safety and/or traceability
- Development or improvement of food safety or traceability programs
- Implementation of an internationally or nationally recognized food safety program including first-time certification audits
- Training directly related to the implementation of equipment, technology upgrades, system improvements, or written programs
- Structural modifications required to implement equipment, technology upgrades, system improvements, or written programs
grant_single_labels|admissibility
To be eligible for the Food Safety and Growth Initiative, applicants must meet specific requirements concerning their business type, size, and compliance with relevant laws.
- Be a Primary Producer, Processor, or Service Provider
- Have fewer than 100 employees at the Project location
- Produce, process, or provide services for food products listed in Appendix C
- Provide either a CRA BN or SIN
- Submit a completed Ministry-approved Application Form
- Undertaking an eligible activity as set out in section 4.1.1
- For Primary Producers or Processors, have a valid and up-to-date Premises ID Number
- If applying as a Primary Producer, have a valid Farm Business Registration Number (FBRN) or equivalent exemption
- Be in compliance with environmental, labor, tax, and other legal requirements
- Not be a current or former federal public office holder or public servant in violation of conflict of interest codes
- Agree to publication of project-related information by Canada and Ontario
- Agree to be bound by the terms, conditions, and requirements of the Initiative
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Yes, there are several types of eligible companies for the Food Safety and Growth Initiative grant. The eligible companies include Primary Producers, Processors, and Service Providers involved in producing, processing, or handling specific food products.
- Primary Producers (e.g., crop or livestock producers, propagators, owners of fruit tree nurseries)
- Processors (e.g., slaughterhouses/abattoirs, agri-food processors, packing houses)
- Service Providers (e.g., cold storage services, distributor services, direct food contact packaging manufacturers, laboratory services)
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The grant provides eligible expenses for modernizing food safety systems, adopting new technologies, and enhancing traceability in small agri-food businesses. Eligible costs include equipment upgrades, third-party assessments, training, and more.
- Incremental activities for food safety system development or improvement
- Third-party assessments for actionable food safety or traceability improvements
- Equipment and technology upgrades for monitoring, preventing, reducing, or eliminating food safety hazards
- Development or improvement of food safety or traceability programs
- Implementation of recognized food safety programs including first-time certification audits
- Training directly related to equipment, technology upgrades, system improvements, or written programs
- Structural modifications required to implement equipment or technology upgrades
- Incremental salary and wages for employees working directly on the project
- In-kind costs of unpaid labor and use of own farm equipment for Primary Producers
- Costs related to managing information-sharing networks
- Initial barcode or automated product identification systems costs
- Purchase and installation of equipment and technology upgrades specific to food safety
- Qualified third-party consultant, auditor or industry expert costs for assessments or gap analysis
- Qualified third-party costs for writing, development, implementation or audit of new food safetyprograms
- Qualified third-party costs for food safety or traceability training
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant is open to eligible agri-food businesses operating within Canada. There are no specific geographic restrictions within the country mentioned for eligibility.
- Eligible agri-food businesses must be located in Canada.
- There are no additional geographic zone requirements within Canada.
grant_single_labels|criteria
Yes, there are specific evaluation and selection criteria for this grant, which focus on the need and benefits of the project, its integration with existing systems, pursuit of national or international standards, and the potential to stimulate business growth.
- Project needs and benefits are clearly demonstrated in the rationale supporting the project’s ability to improve food safety and/or traceability and control risks.
- Project integrates multiple parts of the project location’s food safety/traceability system (e.g., equipment, training, and control procedures).
- Applicant is pursuing improvement to achieve national or international food safety program standards and/or certification (e.g., The Global Food Safety Initiative recognized Certification Programmes).
- Project stimulates related business growth (e.g., access to new customer/market, improved production output, improved inventory management).
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Ensure Eligibility
- Verify that you are a Primary Producer, Processor, or Service Provider as defined in Section 4.3
- Make sure your business has fewer than 100 employees at the project location.
- Ensure you have the necessary identification numbers like CRA BN or SIN, and if applicable, a valid Farm Business Registration Number and Premises ID Number.
- Confirm your compliance with environmental, labour, and tax-related laws.
- Step 2: Prepare Application
- Download and fill out the Ministry-approved Application Form using Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Obtain written quotes from third parties for the proposed Eligible Costs.
- Prepare a site sketch if structural modifications are involved.
- Prepare a course outline and cost summary if training is involved.
- Step 3: Submit Application
- Submit the completed Application Form and supporting documents by email to SustainableCAP1@ontario.ca between August 21, 2024, and December 1, 2025.
- Step 4: Await Review and Notification
- The Ministry will review your application to determine if it is complete.
- Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
- Applications will be evaluated based on project needs, integration of multiple project components, and pursuit of national or international food safety standards and certifications.
- Successful applicants will receive an Approval Letter via email outlining project details, funding amount, and deadlines.
- Unsuccessful applicants will receive an email explaining why they were not approved.
- Step 5: Execute Project
- Carry out the approved project activities.
- Ensure compliance with all aspects of the Approval Letter, including timelines and reporting requirements.
- Step 6: Submit Claims
- Submit claims for eligible costs via the Ministry's Claim Portal with all supporting invoices and proofs of payment.
- Step 7: Receive Initiative Payment
- If costs are approved as eligible, the Ministry will issue an Initiative Payment.
- Ensure registration with Transfer Payment Ontario and Supply Ontario for receiving payments.
- Step 8: Compliance and Record-Keeping
- Retain all financial records related to the Initiative Payment for a period of seven years.
- Be prepared for potential audits by Ontario or Canada.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership's Food Safety and Growth Initiative provides financial support to small agri-food businesses for modernizing food safety systems, adopting new technologies, and stimulating sector growth, with funding up to $75,000 per project.
- The funding is available to eligible Primary Producers, Processors, and Service Providers involved with specified food products.
- The initiative accepts applications from August 21, 2024, until December 1, 2025, or until funding runs out.
- The initiative covers 50% of Eligible Costs up to a maximum of $75,000 per project.
- Eligible activities include food safety assessments, equipment upgrades, program development, and certification audits.
- Costs related to aquaponic food production, common items, and personal expenses are ineligible.
- Projects need to demonstrate clear benefits in food safety, traceability, and sector growth.
- Initiative Payments require registration with Transfer Payment Ontario and Supply Ontario.
- Recipients must comply with comprehensive audit and record-keeping requirements for up to seven years.
grant_single_labels|contact
SustainableCAP1@ontario.ca
Apply to this program
Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership: Food Safety and Growth Initiative
Understanding the Food Safety and Growth Initiative Under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership
The Food Safety and Growth Initiative, part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), aims to support small agri-food businesses in Canada that are looking to modernize their food safety systems, adopt new technologies, and enhance sector growth. By providing funding to eligible primary producers, processors, and service providers, the initiative seeks to validate food safety risks, improve food safety systems, and stimulate economic growth in the agri-food sector. The Food Safety and Growth Initiative will start accepting applications on August 21, 2024, and will continue until December 1, 2025, or until the available funding is exhausted. Applicants can receive up to 50% of eligible costs, capped at $75,000 per project, with a total initiative fund allocation of $5 million provided by federal, provincial, and territorial governments through the Sustainable CAP initiative.
Eligibility and Application Process for the Food Safety and Growth Initiative
To benefit from the Food Safety and Growth Initiative, businesses and individuals must meet specific eligibility criteria and follow a structured application process. This section delves into the detailed criteria and the steps necessary to apply for the initiative:
Eligible Activities and Expenses
The initiative supports a range of activities aimed at improving food safety and traceability within eligible businesses:
- Assessing and identifying food safety or traceability improvements through qualified third-party assessments, such as certification pre-audits and gap analyses.
- Upgrading equipment and technology for monitoring and preventing food safety hazards.
- Developing or improving food safety or traceability programs to meet higher standards or performance levels.
- Implementing recognized food safety programs, including certification audits for the first time.
Additionally, supporting activities such as training related to the implementation of new systems and structural modifications to facilitate these upgrades are also eligible but cannot be standalone projects.
Ineligible Activities and Expenses
Certain activities and expenses are not covered under the initiative:
- Aquaponic food production or activities related to aquaculture, seaweed, fish, and seafood processing.
- Typical business operational costs, transportation, meals, hotels, auditing existing systems, and in-kind costs for processors and service providers.
- Ongoing consumable items and equipment not directly related to food safety or traceability.
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants include small agri-food businesses such as crop and livestock primary producers, certain types of processors, and service providers involved in handling the listed food products. Businesses must have fewer than 100 employees at the project location and meet various compliance requirements including environmental, labor, and tax laws.
Application Requirements
Applicants need to submit a completed Ministry-approved Application Form, which must include:
- Written quotes from third-party providers detailing proposed eligible costs.
- A site sketch for projects involving structural modifications.
- Course outlines for any proposed training programs.
Applications must be submitted by email to SustainableCAP1@ontario.ca between August 21, 2024, and December 1, 2025, or until funds are depleted. Each applicant can have up to two approved projects under the initiative.
Evaluation and Approval Process
The Ministry will review applications to determine eligibility, completeness, and alignment with the initiative's objectives. Evaluation criteria include the project's potential to improve food safety, integration within the existing food safety/traceability systems, pursuit of recognized food safety standards, and potential to stimulate business growth. Successful applicants will receive an Approval Letter outlining the project description, maximum funding, eligible costs, project completion date, and other essential details. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified via email.
Submitting Claims
Approved recipients must submit claims for eligible costs through the Ministry's Claim Portal, providing supporting documentation such as paid invoices and proofs of payment. Claims should be submitted by the deadline specified in the Approval Letter, with the Ministry providing an initiative payment for eligible costs verified through the claim review process.
Additional Requirements
Recipients must adhere to several additional requirements, including conflict of interest guidelines, compliance with applicable laws, transparent procurement processes, and retention of assets purchased through the initiative funding for at least two years. They must also maintain adequate insurance and cooperate with potential audits.
Funding, Payments, and Compliance
The initiative provides half of the eligible costs up to $75,000 per project, with funding sourced from the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. Recipients must be registered with Transfer Payment Ontario and Supply Ontario to receive payments. Recipients who submit false information, fail to comply with initiative terms, or are abusive toward Ministry staff will lose eligibility and may need to repay received funds. The initiative may be terminated at any time, with claims submitted before termination honored if eligible.
Conclusion: Enhancing Food Safety and Promoting Growth
The Food Safety and Growth Initiative under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a significant opportunity for small agri-food businesses in Canada to enhance their food safety systems, adopt new technologies, and stimulate growth. By providing substantial funding support and clear guidelines, the initiative aims to improve public trust in the food sector, meet market demands, and foster economic growth. Businesses interested in participating should thoroughly review the eligibility criteria, prepare comprehensive applications with detailed support documentation, and be prepared to adhere to the requirements and guidelines outlined by the Ministry. Through this initiative, Canadian agri-food businesses can achieve higher food safety standards and position themselves for sustained growth and success in the market.
