RAIN announces COVID-19 response fund for Northern Ontario food producers, processors and agri-food businesses

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Author: Josie Di Felice

Posted: July 7, 2020

Categories: Funding Opportunities / GoodFoodBites / News from Sustain Members

The Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN), a division of the Sault Ste Marie Innovation Centre, in partnership with the Northern Ontario Farm Innovation Alliance and the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre, have launched the Sustainable New Agri-Food Products and Productivity (SNAPP) Program – COVID 19 Response Fund, with funding through FedNor.

The program is for Northern Ontario food producers, processors and agri-food businesses to provide funding for projects that address challenges or respond to opportunities created by COVID-19.

“COVID-19 has posed a significant challenge for the agri-food sector to adapt in the face of market disruption,” says RAIN Manager David Thompson. “This funding delivered through the SNAPP Program will assist agri-food businesses with adaptation projects and value chain development.”

There are two available project streams under the Fund:

  1. Adaptation – Provides up to $10,000 at 50% cost-share for individual projects that address opportunities related to the COVID-19 crisis
  2. Strengthening Value Chains – provides up to $25,000 at a 50% cost-share for projects with a focus on strengthening value chains between agri-food businesses in response to COVID-19. Projects under this stream are for collaborations that improve the food value efficiencies and competitiveness by linking production, processing, distribution and marketing activities within the agri-food sector in northern Ontario

Applications will be accepted from the launch of the program, July 6th, 2020, until all funds are allocated.

For more information, including program guidelines, visit the RAIN website here.