How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $75000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is 2025-12-01T23:59:00Z.

Who are the financial supporters of the Food Safety and Growth Initiative?

Food Safety and Growth Initiative is funded by Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP), Government of Ontario

What are Food Safety and Growth Initiative's eligibility criterias?

Must be a Primary Producer, Processor, or Service Provider involved in eligible food products Have fewer than 100 employees at the project location Project activities must align with eligible food safety/traceability improvements

Food Safety and Growth Initiative

Last Update: June 17, 2025

ON, Canada

Enhance food safety systems, adopt new technologies, and drive sector growth

Food Safety and Growth Initiative at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $75,000
Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : August 21, 2024
Closing date : December 1, 2025

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Manufacturing
Wholesale trade
Transportation and warehousing
Professional, scientific and technical services

Grant Providers

Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP)
Government of Ontario

Status

Open

Overview of the Food Safety and Growth Initiative program

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.

Financing terms and conditions

Eligible recipients can receive up to 50% of eligible project costs, with a maximum grant amount of $75,000 per project.
A total program budget of $5,000,000 has been allocated for all projects funded under this initiative.
Eligible costs must be incurred between August 7, 2024, and January 15, 2027.
Applicants may be approved for a maximum of two projects under this initiative.

Eligible projects & activities

Modernizing food safety systems within agri-food facilities.
Adopting new food safety or traceability equipment and technologies.
Assessing and addressing food safety or traceability risks through third-party evaluations.
Developing or enhancing food safety and traceability programs to achieve higher standards or certification.
Implementing nationally or internationally recognized food safety programs, including obtaining first-time certification audits.

Eligibility criteria of the Food Safety and Growth Initiative program

The applicant must be a Primary Producer, Processor, or Service Provider involved in producing, processing, or handling eligible food products at their project location.
The business must have fewer than 100 employees at the project location.
The project must be related to modernization or improvement of food safety systems or traceability, as outlined in the program guidelines.
The applicant must comply with all environmental, labour, and tax-related requirements of law for their business operations.
The applicant must submit a completed, ministry-approved application form with all required documentation.

Who is eligible?

Small primary producers involved in eligible crop or livestock production, including controlled environment agriculture and fruit tree nurseries
Slaughterhouses and abattoirs
Agri-food processors (excluding pet food, fertilizer, bio-processing, and waste companies)
Packing houses for food products
Service providers offering cold storage, food distribution, direct food contact packaging manufacturing, or laboratory services to eligible producers or processors

Who is not eligible

Companies engaged in aquaponic food production, aquaculture, seaweed, fish, or seafood production and processing.
Commissaries (such as ready-to-eat counters), brewpubs, brand owners, pet food manufacturers, fertilizer manufacturers, bio-processing companies (food or industrial), and food/agricultural commodity or bioprocessor waste companies.
Businesses that do not handle or process the specified eligible food products listed in the program guidelines.
Primary producers who are solely landowners, renters, or employers providing housing to international agricultural workers, without active production activities.
Applicants unable to identify an appropriate NAICS code from the guideline's appendix that matches their core business activity.

Eligible expenses

Purchase and installation of equipment and technology upgrades for food safety monitoring, surveillance, data collection, lab testing, and analysis.
Material and equipment costs, including pre-owned equipment from a licensed seller, as well as equipment rental or service fees related to food safety improvements.
Salaries and wages for employees working directly on the project (pro-rated if not fully dedicated).
Third-party assessment, gap analysis, consulting, audit, or expert fees for identifying or implementing food safety or traceability improvements.
Development or improvement of food safety or traceability programs, including documentation, procedures, and action plans.
Initial costs for barcode or automated product identification systems (including one-time company prefix license, initial activation, and national product registry registration, limited to 6 months).
Costs for training related to new equipment, technology upgrades, or food safety systems, including vendor-provided or third-party training.
Costs for supporting or managing information sharing networks (e.g. cloud-based subscription services or dedicated project staff) that directly support a new food safety or traceability process, limited to 6 months.
Structural modifications necessary for implementing eligible equipment, technology upgrades, or written programs.
Third-party course, training, and materials costs for food safety or traceability (from colleges, universities, program owners, accredited bodies, or qualified industry organizations).
For Primary Producers only: in-kind costs for unpaid labour and use of own farm equipment (within specified hourly rates and limits).

Eligible geographic areas

Ontario

Eligibility criteria of the Food Safety and Growth Initiative program

Clear demonstration of project needs and benefits, specifically how the project will improve food safety and/or traceability and control risks.
Integration of multiple components of the food safety/traceability system at the project location (e.g., equipment, training, control procedures).
Pursuit of improvements toward achieving national or international food safety program standards and/or certification.
Stimulation of related business growth, such as access to new markets or customers, increased production output, or improved inventory management.

How to apply to the Food Safety and Growth Initiative program

Application Form Submission

Download and fill out the Ministry-approved Application Form using Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Ensure the Application Form is fully completed to avoid resubmission.

Attach Required Documents

Obtain written quotes from third parties providing goods or services to support the proposed Eligible Costs.
Include a site sketch if structural modifications are part of the project.
Provide a course outline detailing training to be provided with cost summary, if applicable.

Submission by Email

Send the completed Application Form along with the required documents to SustainableCAP1@ontario.ca.
Make sure to submit your application between August 21, 2024, and December 1, 2025.
Be mindful of the funding availability and ensure early submission to avoid missing out.

Waiting for Notification

Wait for notification from the Ministry regarding approval or denial of your application.
If successful, you will receive an Approval Letter via email outlining the project details and funding information.
Unsuccessful applicants will be provided a brief explanation via email.

Additional information

Applicants can have a maximum of two approved projects under this Initiative, requiring a separate application for each project.
Applicants must retain all financial records related to Initiative Payments for seven years after funds are received.
Applicants must report any potential merger or acquisition discussions within five business days to the Ministry during their participation in the Initiative.
Any Initiative Payment received is considered income for tax purposes under the Income Tax Act (Canada).