At a glance
On June 11, 2026, the federal government launched Canada’s first-ever National Food Security Strategy, a Made-in-Canada plan backed by $3.2 billion over ten years. This article breaks down the four funding pillars, which new programs are coming, what’s already available, and what agri-food businesses should do now to get ready.
Canada exports more agri-food products than almost any country on earth. While our food and beverage processing industry represents Canada’s largest manufacturing sector, we do not process nearly as much of the food that is grown in Canada as we could. Our manufacturing capacity is only 10% larger than the GDP of our primary agricultural sector, resulting in domestically grown food being exported for processing. In addition to processing capacity challenges, Canadian agriculture faces seasonal growing limits that result in 72% of vegetables and 88% of fresh fruits and nuts being imported. These challenges are further compounded by limited market competition, with five large retailers control 75% of the grocery market. Despite growing enormous volumes of food domestically, Canadians face some of the highest food prices in the G7.
On June 11, 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed that gap directly, launching Canada’s first-ever National Food Security Strategy. It’s a Made-in-Canada plan backed by $3.2 billion over ten years, designed to boost domestic food production, increase processing capacity, and build a more affordable, more self-sufficient food system for Canadians by Canadians.
For agri-food businesses, processors, and innovators, the launch of a National Strategy is a signal that a significant wave of new government funding is coming on top of programs that are already open.
Four strategic pillars
Per the government’s official strategy summary, the plan is organized around four pillars, each with its own funding envelope.
Grocery competition
$1B for new/expanded food terminals and hubs for independent grocers, plus $130M to the Competition Bureau and Competition Tribunal, including a new study on competition through the food supply chain.
Process food closer to the source
$150M in new funding to the REGI program specifically for agri-food processors; $350M from the Strategic Response Fund (SRF) directed to agri-food processors; $150M Food Security Fund (under RTRI) for agri-food processors; $100M Collaborative Food Innovation Fund; $1B Agri-food Project Finance Fund through Farm Credit Canada (FCC), on top of the existing $2B FCC investment fund.
Year-round produce (CEA)
$750M for controlled environment agriculture, anchored by the CEA Technology Adoption Stream, explicitly including rural and northern communities. Paired with immediate expensing for new/expanded greenhouse construction.
Cut red tape
$12M for 3-years to support provincially licensed food processors meet federal requirements, increasing access to interprovincial trade; work with trusted global jurisdictions to expedite food safety approvals in Canada; faster approvals for seeds, feed, fertilizers, vet products.
Strategic Response Fund: a new commitment to processors
The government has confirmed that an early call for proposals under the Strategic Response Fund (SRF) will launch in June 2026, with a second call following in fall 2026 in collaboration with Regional Development Agencies. The SRF, successor to the Strategic Innovation Fund, supports large-scale transformative projects with a minimum contribution of $10 million and no stated maximum.
What it funds: Major capital investments, R&D and commercialization, firm expansion using proven technologies, investment attraction, and collaborative innovation networks, with particular focus on tariff-exposed sectors.
Who qualifies: For-profit and not-for-profit organizations under two streams: Business Innovation & Growth and Collaborations & Networks. Agri-food businesses pursuing large-scale processing or R&D projects ($20M+ investment) should pay close attention to this summer’s intake.
Existing programs already supporting Canadian agri-food businesses
A range of federal and provincial programs are already open and actively funding agri-food projects today. If plan to launch your projects in the next 3 – 6 months, there is support available now.
- SCAP AB VAP: up to $250K to support value-added processing activities through integrating automated equipment, investing in new technologies, and pursuing new market development activities.
- SCAP AB Emerging Opportunities: up to $2M for net new, major investments into Alberta’s value-added agriculture sector. Funding is focused on large scale expansion projects and new foreign-direct investments.
- SLIM: up to $750,000 to help Saskatchewan-based agri-food processors invest in productivity, efficiency, expansion, and emissions reduction initiatives.
- MAPAQ (re-opens soon!): up to $150K in funding through the Food Processing Transformation Program to help agri-food businesses grow their business and expand into new markets.
- SMPIF: up to $10M for Canadian dairy processors to enhance productivity through new capital investments.
- AgriMarketing: non-repayable contributions up to $100K for SMEs diversifying agri-food exports into new markets.
- CAAIN Technology Development and Smart Farm Networks: non-repayable contributions up to $3M for collaborative agtech, automation, and digital decision-support projects.
- SWODF, EODF, and AMIC: up to $5M to support large-scale projects that foster innovation, technology advancement, and economic growth within Ontario.
What’s new, and what to watch for
Key Programs: $150 million Food Security Fund, $1 billion Agri-food Project Finance Fund (FCC), $100 million Collaborative Food Innovation Fund, $750M CEA Technology Adoption Stream.
What it funds: processing capacity expansion, storage and transportation, equipment upgrades, technology adoption and integration, collaborative processing, agri-tech innovation, and more.
How much: Combined, the processing and production pillar represents $1.25 billion in new capital. The controlled environment agriculture pillar represents a further $750 million, one of the largest dedicated commitments this sector has seen.
Who’s likely to qualify: Food processors purchasing Canadian-grown inputs and expanding Canadian production, agri-tech and food-tech innovators, greenhouse and vertical farm operators, and SMEs across the agri-food supply chain.
How agri-food businesses should prepare now
Document your project scope now.
New funds like the Food Security Fund and the Collaborative Food Innovation Fund will evaluate concrete outcomes: processing capacity added, jobs created, production increased. Defining your project and its metrics before intake opens puts you ahead of competitors who wait.
Catch the first SRF intake this summer.
The Strategic Response Fund's early call for proposals opens in June 2026. Given the scale and complexity of SRF applications, businesses pursuing large projects should begin early consultation with ISED rather than waiting for the deadline.
Don't wait on new programs to apply.
SCAP, SLIM, AgriMarketing, CAAIN, and several provincial programs are open right now and can fund similar projects to those the new strategy targets. Applying today doesn't preclude applying to new programs once they launch.
Check stacking rules across programs.
Federal and provincial agri-food programs often have different stacking limits. A processor could potentially combine a new federal fund with a provincial grant like Alberta's Value-Added Program. Ayming identifies every program you qualify for and builds an integrated funding strategy.
The bottom line
Canada’s $3.2 billion National Food Security Strategy represents the largest dedicated federal commitments to the agri-food sector in our country’s history. If you are a food processor or Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) producer, the National Food Security Strategy is designed to help you innovate, grow at scale, expand domestic production capacity, and strengthen Canada’s food.
Our team tracks every federal and provincial agri-food program, including how the new strategy’s funds will roll out. Our assessment is free, and if any of the programs above could apply to your business, the right time to start preparing is now.
Contact our grants experts for a free eligibility assessment.
Find out which programs apply to your business
Government Funding
Funding Alert
Don’t miss out on the next big opportunity. Stay ahead of upcoming federal and provincial grants and funding programs, and find out if your projects qualify. Ayming helps you move fast, stay informed, and secure the support your business needs to grow.
