Local Food Infrastructure Fund – Large Scale Projects: Step 3. Before you apply

Step 3: Before you apply

Intake period: Open

Applications will be accepted from January 13, 2025 to February 28, 2025 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. However, the application intake period may close sooner if funding has been fully committed or if otherwise announced here.

If you’re an Indigenous applicant, you can contact the Indigenous Pathfinder Service for additional support by email at aafc.indigenouspathfinder-explorateurautochtone.aac@agr.gc.ca or telephone: 1-866-367-8506.

The program ends on March 31, 2027.

Sources of funding

You must clearly show all sources of funding for the project, including your contributions as well as those from other sources:

• other federal government departments^{Footnote 1}
• provincial/territorial governments^{Footnote 1}
• municipal administrations^{Footnote 1}
• industry and/or partners such as:
  • industry associations and networks
  • businesses
  • academia
  • Indigenous groups

Important notes: Funding

Applicants may only apply to either the Small Scale Projects or the Large Scale Projects 2024-2025 intake periods.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada will only fund one project (Small Scale Projects or Large Scale Projects) per eligible applicant over the 3-year period (2024-2027). Exceptions may be applied for Indigenous applicants.

If an organization has multiple branches/locations/chapters/departments, only one application can be submitted per legal name.

Funding under Large Scale Projects is intended for projects requesting multiple infrastructure/equipment needs and include partnerships to address community food security in a more comprehensive manner.

If your organization is requesting one or a few pieces of infrastructure/equipment for a community food security initiative, please refer to Small Scale Projects.

If you’re an Indigenous applicant and would like more information about LFIF funding, please contact the Indigenous Pathfinder Service by email at aafc.indigenouspathfinder-explorateurautochtone.aac@agr.gc.ca or telephone: 1-866-367-8506.

How we assess your application

In support of the Program’s objectives, all applications will undergo a competitive review process and will be evaluated based on their merit and the extent to which they meet the following criteria:

Relevance of the project for the organization
Requested infrastructure/equipment is targeted and related to the expected increase of the organization's capacity to food, and/or to complement the food production via processing, storing, and/or distribution of food.

Ability to enhance community food security
Applicant demonstrates the collaboration of multiple partners (minimum of 2) to enhance community food security.

Ability to manage projects and achieve results
Applicant demonstrates a reasonable project timeline and a clear risk mitigation strategy.

Impact on the community
Applicant demonstrates how the proposed infrastructure/equipment will address local food security-related issues and increase access to local, nutritious and culturally appropriate food for equity-deserving groups.

Expected results
The project results in an increased level of service, demonstrated in the Table of Metrics and application responses. Any additional benefits of the project are also explained in the application.

Project sustainability
Applicant demonstrates the ability to maintain the infrastructure/equipment and increased level of service both during and beyond the funding agreement.

Financial information
Budget information is clear, reasonable, well-described, and amounts align to provided quotes.

Applications will also be assessed on their overall quality and clarity, including the completeness of responses.

Funding decisions are made to ensure a diversity of projects. This means, in addition to the quality of submissions, we may base funding decisions on:

• priority population(s)
• geographic distribution
  • province or territory
  • rural and remote communities

Please note 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.

Important notes: assessment

The intake period is a competitive process, and to ensure fairness and transparency for all applicants, the LFIF program staff cannot comment on specific project proposal concepts or drafts. Should you have specific questions on program parameters outlined in the guide, please do not hesitate to email us at aafc.foodprograms-programmesalimentaires.aac@agr.gc.ca.

Only one application per eligible applicant will be accepted. Any subsequent application(s) will not be considered or assessed. Exceptions may be applied for Indigenous applicants.

Applications received from organizations who signed a funding agreement with the LFIF since September 2021 will not be considered or assessed. Previous recipients cannot be the project applicant, however, they are eligible to be a partner organization. Exceptions may be applied for Indigenous applicants.

Applications submitted by a third party (such as consultants applying on behalf of an eligible applicant) will not be considered or assessed.

If you’re an Indigenous applicant and would like more information about LFIF application and assessment process, please contact the Indigenous Pathfinder Service by email at aafc.indigenouspathfinder-explorateurautochtone.aac@agr.gc.ca or telephone: 1-866-367-8506.

Considerations

M-30 Act (Quebec organizations only)

The Province of Quebec's M-30 legislation may apply to Quebec-based applicants only. It is the Act Respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif (R.S.Q., c. M-30).

It is the responsibility of all Quebec-based organizations to demonstrate their compliance with the Act by obtaining the required confirmation (whether your organization is subject to the M-30 Act) and authorization (approval of the funding agreement if subject to M-30) from the Government of Quebec, and sharing a copy of that authorization with AAFC before they enter into a funding agreement.

More information on the Act is available online or by contacting the Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation (MAPAQ) at dpci@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca.

Infrastructure/Equipment retention

If your project is approved for funding, the contribution agreement will contain a clause confirming that ownership of eligible equipment must be maintained for a minimum of 2 years after the Project Completion Date.