Individual Market Access Support (SIAM)

• Pre-qualification form
• Complete financial assistance application form
• Supporting documents and justification documents related to the project
• Supporting documents for deliverables linked to the project
• Supporting documents for eligible expenses

Who is eligible?

• Food processing companies operating in Quebec
• Agri-food processors with an operational establishment in Quebec
• Companies outsourcing their food processing in Quebec (under certain conditions)

Who is not eligible

• Companies not legally registered in Quebec.
• Entities with no operational establishment in Quebec.
• Companies that have not been in operation for at least one year.
• Businesses with an annual revenue below $250,000.
• Enterprises without a majority of Quebec-produced food products in their portfolio.
• Non-food processing businesses.

Eligible expenses

• Registration of products with GS1 Canada, including subscription and service fees.
• Salaries for a market development or marketing specialist for up to 52 weeks, limited to $45,000.
• Professional fees for market studies, database access, surveys, and market tests.
• Costs for product tastings at points of sale, excluding product and disposable costs.
• Fees related to advertising content creation, media placement, and media promotion.
• Professional services from influencers or brand ambassadors, up to $15,000.
• Fees for registering a new product with a retail chain, limited to $40,000.
• External professional fees for updating a marketing strategy.
• Trademark registration costs, including fees with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, limited to $20,000.
• First-year membership fees for a business development association.
• Development work related to the applicant's website for commercialization purposes, up to $20,000.
• Fixed fees for access to an online sales platform or business matchmaking service.
• Professional fees for external merchandising specialists, limited to $25,000.
• Costs for accessing the Quebec government electronic tendering system (SEAO) and related external professional fees.
• Costs associated with professional trade shows and major industry events, including registration, space rental, equipment, booth setup, and direct participation costs.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Applications for financial assistance or prequalification submitted after the program closes are no longer accepted.
• The cost of products consumed during marketing, tasting, or trade show activities is not eligible.
• Trade show consumables, such as disposable napkins and disposable spoons, are not eligible.
• The purchase of small appliances or cooking or preparation equipment, as well as their accessories, is not eligible.
• Public market, festival, craft fair, and corporate activities are not eligible.

Eligible geographic areas

• Quebec

• Submitted applications are received directly by Aliments du Québec and kept open on a continuous basis until available funding is exhausted.
• Each complete application is reviewed to confirm that both the applicant and the project are eligible.
• The assessment focuses on the applicant’s capacity to carry out the project, the quality and relevance of the project, and how well it supports the program’s objective.
• If approved, funding is released only after Aliments du Québec accepts the project deliverables and supporting documentation.
• In some cases, a third payment may be authorized to complete salary funding related to a planned hiring or promotion.

• The 2025–26 SIAM is reserved exclusively for companies that have never previously received this assistance.
• The program is designed to help increase the visibility of Quebec biofood products in local markets.
• It is administered by Aliments du Québec with support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ).
• Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until funds are exhausted.