The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing $2 million across the province to help small businesses in the agri-food industry expand operations and enhance food safety. Delivered through Ontario’s Food Safety and Growth Initiative, the funding will help equip businesses with the tools and technologies they need to improve safety, increase efficiency and grow. 

“Canada’s agri-food sector is driven by innovative small businesses that help feed our communities and strengthen local economies,” said the Hon. Heath MacDonald, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “This investment will help small businesses modernize their food safety systems, adopt new technologies, and meet evolving consumer and market demands while strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of Ontario’s agri-food supply chain.”

The initiative will support small agri-food businesses that produce, process or service specific products, such as bagged salads, cheese and ice cream, and have fewer than 100 employees at the project location. Funding can be up to $75,000 per project and used for investments in food safety equipment and technology, food traceability systems and process improvements.

Building on the success of the first intake launched in 2024, which supported 90 projects and helped create more than 70 good-paying full- and part-time jobs, the second intake of the Food Safety and Growth Initiative will drive further investment, strengthen Ontario’s food supply and support continued growth across the agri-food sector.

Applications open on October 19, 2026 and will remain open until March 1, 2027, or until available funding has been fully committed. Businesses interested in applying can find program details and eligibility requirements, which may differ from those in the first intake, on Ontario.ca.

Source:  Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness October 5, 2026 news release