The federal government has announced the 10 initial recipients of the $20.2-million School Food Infrastructure Fund (SFIF). As part of the $62.9-million announcement in Budget 2024, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is delivering the SFIF over the next year to support the purchase and installation of infrastructure and equipment that increases the capacity of community organizations to produce, process, store, and distribute food for school food programs. 

The initial recipients include Breakfast Club of Canada, Farm to Cafeteria Canada, Food Banks Canada, Food Depot Alimentaire, Food First NL, Mazon Canada, Saskatchewan School Boards Association, Second Harvest, United Way BC and United Way East Ontario. 

These initial recipients will further distribute funding to eligible not-for-profit organizations (known as ultimate recipients) through individual application intakes. Eligible community-based organizations are encouraged to use the SFIF Initial Recipient Finder to determine which organization best serves their geographic area and needs.

 "Our National School Food Program is helping parents with grocery costs and making sure kids get healthy meals at school,” says Jenna Sudds, minister of families, children and social development. “But we can't do it alone. That's why we're teaming up with trusted partners to get schools the tools and kitchen upgrades they need to feed more kids."

 The SFIF is delivered as a complement to both the National School Food Program, and the guidance provided under the National School Food Policy.

Launched on .September 6, 2024 by ag minister Lawrence MacAulay, the SFIF uses a further distribution of funds model that allows AAFC to leverage the expertise and networks of not-for-profit organizations that are active in the school food programming space. AAFC will rely on the expertise of the initial recipients to select the organizations and activities (ultimate recipients) to be funded.

Source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada January 31, 2025 news release