On June 9, 2020 the Government of Canada announced a second call for proposals under the Local Food Infrastructure Fund.
The funding round is valued at $43 million and will provide support for local organizations that enhance food security for at-risk communities, including urban gardens, community kitchens, food banks and greenhouses.
Applications begin immediately and will be accepted on a continuous basis until the funding is allocated. Funding is available up to $250,000 per project and may support clusters of organizations that co-operate to enhance regional food systems.
The Local Infrastructure Fund is a five-year $50 million program designed to support community-based not-for-profit organizations with non-repayable funding. Under the first call for proposals, over 350 projects received funding totalling $6.6 million. The second call for proposals increases the funding threshold and includes an opportunity for increased collaboration between organizations.
Earlier this year, the Government also announced a $100 million emergency fund to enhance food security for Canadians who have been impacted by COVID-19. This program has already funded 1,765 projects in communities across Canada. The Government also announced $50 million for a Surplus Food Purchase Program and $25 million for Nutrition North Canada.
Other Federal Government COVID-19 funding for agriculture is reviewed in our blog post here and here.
If you have any questions regarding the funding, or other issues related to agriculture, please contact a member of our food and agribusiness group.