Step 1. What this program offers
The Local Food Infrastructure Fund (LFIF) is a five-year, $50 million initiative ending March 31, 2024. The program is part of the Government of Canada’s Food Policy which is Canada’s roadmap for a healthier and more sustainable food system in Canada. The LFIF objective is to strengthen food systems and to facilitate access to safe and nutritious food for at-risk populations.
The LFIF's objectives are to:
improve access to safe, healthy and culturally-diverse food while promoting community development
support local economies
improve health outcomes for Canadians most at-risk
promote environmentally sustainable food systems
The fund supports community-based, not-for-profit organizations to improve their food systems through investments in infrastructure that are directly related to addressing food insecurities and increasing the accessibility of healthy, nutritious, and ideally, local foods within their community
Step 2. Who is eligible
Eligible applicants
Eligible applicants are not-for-profit organizations that have been in operation for at least two years as a legal entity capable of entering into a legally-binding agreement. Furthermore, applicants must be able to demonstrate the ability to maintain the proposed operations beyond the funding period.
Eligible applicants consist of:
community or charitable organizations
Indigenous groups
not-for-profit co-operatives
Eligible projects
Projects should be mostly infrastructure specific, community-driven and dedicated to improving access to safe and healthy foods for Canadians at risk of food insecurity. The risk factors and prevalence of food insecurity vary from community to community and can impact Canadians in both rural and urban environments through a lack of access to affordable and nutritious food choices.
For the purpose of this fund, Canadians at risk of food insecurities are part of one of the following groups:
Indigenous
Persons who are homeless or street-involved
Low-income households
Isolated and rural communities
Persons with disabilities
Other groups with social or employment barriers including literacy and numeracy
Newcomers to Canada (including refugees)
Visible minorities
Women
Youth
Seniors
LGBTQ2 community
Official language minority communities
Other (please specify)
Eligible projects can range from simpler infrastructure requests such as purchasing a refrigerator for a food bank to more complex requests that strengthen local food systems, such as projects that integrate multiple areas of the value chain through the creation of partnerships. The applicant must demonstrate how their project will be integrated into and strengthen the local food system and how it will impact the well-being of community members.
Step 3. How to apply
Before you apply, please read the applicant guide for detailed information on eligibility criteria, support and funding available, and the application process.
1. Complete the application form and required documents
A complete application package consists of:
a completed Project application form (PDF) (required)
confirmation of legal entity and/or not-for-profit status
letters of Financial Support, and if applicable, Project Endorsement Letters
2. Submit your completed application form and documents
To apply online, download, complete and submit the Project application form (PDF).
You can apply by email to aafc.foodprograms-programmesalimentaires.aac@canada.ca.
Contact the program to apply by mail or fax and submit a complete application package.
Step 4. After you apply
Once your application has been submitted, an acknowledgment notice will be sent to you.
Note: Applicants should not consider an application as submitted to the program until an acknowledgment notice is received.
After your application has been received, AAFC verifies that all required forms and declarations have been completed and there is sufficient detail in the application for a full assessment. When the application has been deemed complete and ready for assessment, notice will be provided to you. Service standards for assessments begin only once the application is deemed to be complete.
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 this guide will ultimately receive funding.