Local Food Infrastructure Fund – Large Scale Projects: Step 6. After you apply

Step 6. After you apply

Intake period: Closed

Applications will be accepted from January 13, 2025 to February 28, 2025.

1. We'll send you an acknowledgement notice

Your application is considered submitted once you receive the acknowledgement notice.

Please be advised that even if a project meets all eligibility criteria, the submission of an application creates no obligation on the part of the Minister or of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada officials to provide funding for the proposed project. The Minister retains discretion to determine, based on other public policy and public interest considerations, whether an application that meets the criteria identified in the guide will ultimately receive funding.

2. We’ll verify your application

We’ll verify that all required forms and declarations have been completed accurately, and there is sufficient detail in the application for a full assessment.

If your application is incomplete, we’ll contact you for the required information.

Missing or incorrect information could result in a processing delay or your application being withdrawn.

3. We'll assess your application

We’ll assess your application based on its merit and the extent to which it meets our program criteria.

• If deemed complete, we’ll notify you
• If deemed incomplete, we’ll place your application on hold and send you a notice to ask you for more detailed information

At any point after you apply, we may contact you for more information. If you don’t provide the information requested, we may not be able to consider your application further.

Service standards for assessments only begin once the application is deemed to be complete.

4. We'll notify you of a decision

Once the assessment process is complete, an approval or a rejection notification will be sent.

For approved projects, the notification will specify the level of funding awarded and outline any other conditions that may apply. A program representative will reach out to begin the funding agreement process. The funding agreement must be signed to receive funding.

Note: even if an approval is granted, AAFC does not have the authority to reimburse recipients for costs incurred until a funding agreement is signed.

You can track the status of your application

Access your program information to track the status of your application.

Reports you must provide

If you’re approved for funding, you must report on performance and results. The performance report will track progress against performance measures outlined in the funding agreement as follows:

Performance measures are subject to changes at the discretion of the Minister.

Degree to which you’ve increased your capacity to deliver community food security programs as a result of the project.^{Footnote 1}

• You’ll be asked to provide an assessment on a numeric scale of the level of change regarding its capacity to provide community food security programs.

Percentage change in Recipient's capacity to provide healthy and nutritious food.

• You’ll be asked to quantify some elements of capacity (for example, number of programs and services offered) both before and after the project.

Degree to which improved availability and access to nutritious and culturally appropriate food has increased in communities as a result of the project.

• You’ll be asked to provide an assessment on a numeric scale of the level of change regarding the availability and accessibility of nutritious and culturally appropriate food in the targeted community(ies).

Percentage change in the quantity and value of food produced/distributed by program recipients.

• You’ll be asked to report on the quantities of food that you produce or distribute to your clientele, both before and after the project.

Perceived change in the degree to which the project participants perceive access to nutritious and culturally appropriate food in the communities served by the Recipient as a result of the project.

• Your perception of how the project has helped decrease the level of food insecurity in the communities served. You’ll will be asked to provide an assessment on a numeric scale to support this, in addition to qualitative information.
• You may be required to administer a survey of your project's ultimate beneficiaries. A survey template will be provided by the Minister.

Budgetary reports

• Recipients must keep copies of quotes, invoices, and proof of payment for eligible project costs incurred to support expense claims. The frequency of the reports will be determined at the time the contribution agreement with AAFC is signed. These reports may also include a section that provides progress updates.

Other reports may be required at AAFC’s discretion.

Service standards

Our goal is to:

• respond to general inquiries made to our phone number or email address before the end of the next business day
• acknowledge receipt of your application within one business day
• assess your application and send you an approval or a rejection notification letter within 100 business days of receiving a complete application package