Local Food Infrastructure Fund to begin accepting applications Aug. 15
Posted: July 25, 2019
Categories: Food in the News / Funding Opportunities / GoodFoodBites / Policy News
Starting August 15, 2019, eligible organizations will be invited to submit an application to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) for funding of up to $25,000 from the Local Food Infrastructure Fund.
The $50 million Fund, which comes as part of the new Food Policy for Canada, consists of two streams.
Under Stream 1, three calls for proposals will be launched over a period of five years, the first being from August 15 – November 1, 2019.
This first stream, titled Infrastructure and Equipment Improvement Projects, aims to enable small community-based organizations to improve their infrastructure and purchase equipment that is directly related to the accessibility of healthy, nutritious, and ideally local foods within their community.
Eligible applicants are:
- community or charitable organizations, not-for-profit
- Indigenous organizations
- municipal and regional governments in areas where there are no not-for-profit organizations that provide food services
To be eligible, an organization must:
- have been in operation for at least two years
- demonstrate the viability and sustainability of the services to be supported by the project
- be a legal entity capable of entering into a legally binding agreement
Eligible projects and costs
- Capital assets and equipment for the collective production of food such as community kitchens, community gardens, urban farms, etc.
- Equipment needed for the preparation, refrigeration, distribution and storage of food, etc.
- Vehicles and transport equipment such as refrigerated trucks, trailers, etc.
- Technology systems including digital, production or distribution platforms, etc.
- Energy systems such as greenhouses, solar panels, etc.
- Water infrastructure including irrigation systems, rainwater capture, etc.
- Labour associated with the completion of the project (excluding normal operations of the organization)
Julie Dabrusin, Member of Parliament for Toronto-Danforth, announced the opening of the Fund at Eastview Neighbourhood Community Centre in Toronto earlier this week.
“One in eight Toronto households experiences food insecurity. This is why we are taking action by increasing access to healthy food for all Canadians, regardless of income, through the Food Policy for Canada,â shared Dabrusin. âI am excited for the many opportunities this policy can create as we work toward improving our food system locally, at organizations such as Eastview Neighbourhood Community Centre, and across the country.”
The second stream of the Local Food Infrastructure Fund, titled Projects to Strengthen Local Food Systems, will have a single call for proposals in early 2020, following a consultation with stakeholders. Feedback on the subject can be shared through an online consultation.