Local Food Infrastructure Fund: Step 3. Before you apply

Step 3: Before you apply

Intake period: Closed

Program details are underway to renew and expand the Local Food Infrastructure Fund as proposed in the 2024 Federal Budget. Information about a future intake period will be found on this site once available. To receive intake notifications directly, please email aafc.foodprograms-programmesalimentaires.aac@agr.gc.ca or contact the program.

Review and consider the following information before you apply.

Each phase of the program has different funding criteria. It's important that you review the 6 steps of applying to the program as well as How to complete the application form for detailed instructions including eligible and ineligible expenses.

If you previously applied to the program, you're eligible to apply to this intake, however, you can only submit one application for funding under this intake. If you submit more than one application, only the first application we receive will be considered.

Sources of funding

Total government funding (other federal departments, provincial/territorial, and municipal governments) can be up to 100% of total eligible costs.

How we assess your application

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 increases of the organization's capacity to produce, harvest, process, store, and/or distribute food.
• Ability to manage projects and achieve results: You show a reasonable implementation plan, including milestones and a clear risk mitigation strategy.
• Impact on the community: You show how the proposed infrastructure/equipment will increase access to and distribution of food from current levels for Canadians most at risk of food insecurity.
• Expected results: The project results in an increased level of service, shown in the Table of Metrics and application responses. Any additional benefits of the project are also explained in the application.
• Project sustainability: You show the ability to maintain the infrastructure and increased level of service both during and beyond the funding agreement.
• Financial information: Budget information is clear, well-described, and amounts align to provided quotes.

Finally, applications will be assessed on their quality and clarity, including the completeness of responses.

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

• location of project:
  • province or territory
  • rural and remote communities
• priority population(s)
• size of AAFC grants (small, medium, large)

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).

More information on the Act is available online or by contacting the department from which an organization receives the majority of its funding or by contacting the Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation (MAPAQ) at dpci@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca.

M-30 applies to various types of Quebec organizations. For example, organizations located in Quebec and receiving more than half of their financing from the Government of Quebec may be subject to the Act. When inquiring as to whether or not an organization is subject to this Act, most recent financial statements and letters of patent will need to be provided (if applicable).

All Quebec-based organizations who are subject to the Act will have to obtain a ministerial order from the Secrétariat du Québec aux relations canadiennes (SQRC) prior to entering into an agreement with AAFC.