Food Link Fund: Food Hub

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada · The Food Link Fund supports projects that establish or expand food hubs to improve food distribution infrastructure, enhance competition and access to local fo…

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Overview

The Food Link Fund supports projects that establish or expand food hubs to improve food distribution infrastructure, enhance competition and access to local food, and strengthen regional supply chains. Eligible organizations must secure their own funding sources and demonstrate how their projects align with federal food security priorities, with up to 85% of project costs covered by government funding (100% for Indigenous applicants).

Eligibility

Must secure all sources of funding before submitting application, including contributions from applicant and/or partnersIndigenous applicants may have government funding cover 100% of eligible costs; non-Indigenous applicants limited to 85% government funding maximumProject must establish or expand a food hub with associated transportation, warehousing, and logistics infrastructureOrganization must demonstrate technical, financial, and managerial capability to complete project on time and on budgetQuebec-based organizations must obtain M-30 compliance confirmation from the Government of Quebec

Eligible projects

Establishing or expanding food hubs and associated transportation, warehousing, and logistics infrastructureProjects that enhance competition and increase access to local food, measured by new and returning customersSupply chain strengthening through diverse supplier and customer networks and technology-enabled inventory managementCreating or expanding distribution systems that keep money circulating locally and reduce exposure to global volatilityProjects addressing food waste and food rescue where applicableInfrastructure serving priority populations or underserved geographic regions

Financing terms

Repayable contributions require assessment of applicant's capacity to repayNon-Indigenous applicants: government funding limited to 85% of total project fundingIndigenous applicants: government funding may cover up to 100% of eligible costsEligible equipment must be retained for minimum 2 years after project completionProjects must demonstrate long-term sustainability without continued program support

How to apply

1Check eligibilityConfirm you meet every criterion listed above before you start.

2Prepare the project packageProject description, budget with quotes, team, and recent financial statements.

3Apply on agriculture.canada.caGovgrant members can draft the application with AI and export a formatted PDF.

4Respond to reviewer questionsMost programs come back with one round of questions within a few weeks of submission.

Additional information

Program ends on March 31, 2037; future intakes will be launched over the life of the programAll sources of funding must be clearly identified and documented, including contributions from federal/provincial/territorial governments, municipalities, industries, and partnersApplication assessed on alignment with program objectives, project management capability, application quality, and alignment with Government of Canada policiesProjects are assessed competitively; meeting eligibility criteria does not guarantee funding

At a glanceMaximumVariesProviderAgriculture and Agri-Food CanadaDeadlineDec 11, 2026StatusOpenRegionCanadaOfficial sourceagriculture.canada.ca ↗

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