A new round of funding for the Local Food Infrastructure Fund (LFIF) from the federal government has opened this week. 

As announced in the Federal 2024 Budget, the government has committed an additional $19.2 million over two years to support large-scale projects. The fund is designed to support projects that will “help improve community food security through the purchase and installation of infrastructure/equipment that will increase access to local, nutritious and culturally appropriate food”. 

Applicants must meet the following criteria: 

• Be an Indigenous or non-profit organization (Indigenous governments and communities welcome). 
• Must include a production element and partnerships (minimum 2) to enhance community food security. 
• Organization must foster equity and inclusion.  
• Must have been in operation as a legal entity for at least 2 years.  

The current round of funding applications can be submitted starting January 13, 2025, until February 28, 2025, and will support projects in the range of $150,000 to $500,000. This investment is aimed at local organizations, like food banks, to help improve their infrastructure and purchase equipment (e.g., fridges, food processing and gathering equipment, refrigerated trucks, community kitchens/gardens) that is directly related to the accessibility of healthy, nutritious, and ideally, local foods within their community. 

Please note that applicants are expected to provide a minimum of 25% of the fundingtowards the project.  

For more information about the program and how to apply, please visit: Local Food Infrastructure Fund: Applicant Guide

 

Tips for applying: 

• If you have any questions regarding this fund, please don’t hesitate to contact Isaac Smith directly (Isaac.smith@foodbankscanada.ca).   
• Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted, so applying early is advised 
• Food Banks Canada will support any food banks within the network that wish to apply.  
• Please contact Kim Watkins (Kimberley.watkins@foodbankscanada.ca) to schedule an appointment to get help with your application.  

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