Important: New Funding Opportunities for Meat, Poultry, and Agri-Food Processors – Apply Now!

Toronto, ON – June 12, 2026

We are pleased to inform you of significant new funding opportunities under Canada’s National Food Security Strategy, designed to strengthen domestic food processing, improve affordability, and enhance sector resilience. These programs are especially relevant for meat and poultry processing plants and the wider agricultural industry.

Funding Programs & Opportunities

1. Strategic Response Fund (SRF) for Agri-Food Projects
   • $350 million available for agri-food projects, with contributions up to $50 million per project.
   • $150 million for food-related national innovation ecosystems.
2. Regional Economic Growth through Innovation Program
   • $150 million in new funding for agri-food projects, with contributions up to $10 million.
3. Food Security Fund
   • $150 million to support SMEs and food-system organizations in expanding domestic processing, production, storage, and distribution.
4. Agri-food Project Finance Fund (Farm Credit Canada)
   • $1 billion dedicated to value-added, capital-intensive, high-potential agri-food projects.
5. Supply Management Processing Investment Fund & Poultry and Egg On-Farm
   • Targeted support for dairy, poultry, and egg production and processing facilities, including infrastructure and automation.

Eligibility & Application Deadlines

• Who can apply: Meat and poultry processors, food and beverage manufacturers, agricultural producers, and related SMEs.
• Eligible activities: Building new capacity, modernizing existing facilities, adopting new technologies, expanding storage/distribution, and improving food safety and efficiency.
• Deadlines:
  • The Strategic Response Fund launches its first call for proposals in June 2026, with a second wave in Fall 2026.
  • Other program deadlines may vary; early application is strongly encouraged due to high demand.

Key Requirements

• Projects must support domestic food processing, innovation, or supply chain improvements.
• Applicants should demonstrate potential for economic impact, job creation, and increased food self-sufficiency.
• Compliance with federal and provincial food safety and regulatory standards is required.
• Detailed project plans and budgets are typically needed.

How GTA Strategies Can Assist

GTA Strategies offers comprehensive support to help you:

1. Assess Eligibility: We review your operations and project ideas to ensure alignment with program criteria.
2. Develop Applications: Our team prepares compelling, compliant funding applications, including business cases, budgets, and supporting documentation.
3. Navigate Requirements: We guide you through regulatory, technical, and reporting requirements to maximize your chances of approval.
4. Project Management: From application to implementation, we provide ongoing support to ensure successful project delivery and compliance.

We look forward to helping you access these transformative programs and strengthening Canada’s food system together.