The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $5 million, through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), to help small businesses in the agriculture and food industry enhance their food safety systems. 

Through the Food Safety and Growth Initiative, funding will be provided to eligible food processors, producers and service providers to improve food safety systems, adopt new food safety and traceability equipment, technologies and standards and provide related training to employees. This funding will also enable operators to respond to market and consumer demands and grow their business.

Projects supported through this initiative will include development or improvement of food safety or traceability programs, upgrades to food safety or traceability equipment and technology upgrades, assessments by qualified third-parties, or implementation of internationally or nationally recognized food safety programs, such as first-time certification audits.

Successful projects are eligible to receive 50 per cent of eligible costs, in cost-share funding, up to a maximum of $75,000 per project. Applications for the initiative will be accepted starting August 21, 2024. The application period will remain open until 11:59 pm EST, December 1, 2025, or until the budgeted funds have been fully allocated, whichever comes first.

Source:  Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness August 7, 2024 news release