Overview

As part of the government’s Grow Ontario Strategy, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) has launched the Food Security and Supply Chain Fund for agri-food businesses and non-profit organizations.

We are working with industry partners and investing $10 million to:

  • address supply chain issues
  • reduce agri-food sector vulnerabilities
  • increase resilience
  • strengthen the food supply for Ontarians

The targeted initiatives support economic recovery and resiliency of the agri-food sector in two critical areas:

Supply Chain Stability and Adaptability Program

Agri-Food Supply Chain Resiliency Analysis Stream

This stream is aimed at identifying and addressing market and supply chain challenges driven or worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funding is meant to help you complete resiliency analysis for identifying supply-chain gaps/areas of weakness and develop an action plan for priority areas.

Funding

You may apply for up to 50% of eligible costs, up to a maximum of $50,000 per project.

Depending on the merit assessment of the project and funding availability, funding may be provided at either:

  • the amount or percentage requested
  • at a reduced amount or percentage

Agri-Food Supply Chain Infrastructure Investment Stream

This stream is aimed at helping you acquire the equipment and assets necessary to grow capacity in a manner that meets the increased demand for Ontario grown and produced food products.

The funding is meant to support near term investments in infrastructure that builds production capacity and helps address market and supply chain challenges.

Funding

You may apply for up to 25% of eligible costs, up to a maximum of $150,000 per project.

Depending on the merit assessment of the project and funding availability, funding may be provided at either:

  • the amount or percentage requested
  • a reduced amount or percentage

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include:

  • Ontario agri-food businesses:
    • farms that supply Ontario food processors with their products
    • farms with production and on-site agri-food processing activities
    • food processing businesses that source a significant portion of agricultural inputs from Ontario farms
  • Ontario agri-food organizations that are not-for-profit organizations representing Ontario agri-food businesses (for the Agri-Food Supply Chain Resiliency Analysis Stream only)

Important dates

The intakes for both streams open on December 1st, 2022.

Application process

The Supply Chain Stability and Adaptability Program is delivered by the Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC).

Visit the program page on AAC’s website for all the program details and instructions on how to apply.

Contact

For more information about the program, please contact AAC by email info@adaptcouncil.org or call 1-800-769-3272.

Expanding Job Entry Pathways

Expanding Job Entry Pathways is a new project to help agri-food businesses attract and recruit skilled workers.

This project focuses on a collaborative model that connects agri-food businesses and sector organizations with Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development’s Employment Ontario (EO) network of employment service agencies. Training and support will be provided to employers to help hire and retain local workers in a highly competitive job market.

The project is being coordinated by First Work, an association of member agencies delivering EO services and other employment supports.

The project aims to:

  • support agri-food employers to access local workers and employer incentives
  • increase the number of partnerships between the agri-food sector and EO’s network of employment service agencies
  • build awareness of agri-food careers among job seekers

Contact

For more information about the project, please contact First Work at info@firstwork.org.