Food Storage, Distribution and Retail Program
$3,000,000
Grant
Description:
The FSDR program is under the Food Affordability and Innovation Fund (FAI), an up to $20M fund. FAI aims to improve the affordability of food in BC through targeted investments in supply chains, food system innovations and partnerships. Specifically, the Fund will support approaches and collaborations at strategic nodes along the food supply chain to strengthen and streamline logistics, storage and transportation and improve access to affordable food, particularly in remote, rural, and/or indigenous communities. Learn more about FAI.
Comments on Funding:
Funding with 75% cost-share ratio is available to industry through the following streams:
Stream 1: Regional Distribution Networks and Shared Storage: Min. $100K to $3M Max.
Stream 2: Independent or Co-operative Grocery Retailers: Min. $25K to $150K Max
Stacking of funds from other government programs is allowed up to 100%, provided other funds are not from programs delivered by IAF.
Applications are closed. Stay tuned for future intake announcements.
Eligibility:
Applicants must be:
1. BC-based organization working within BC’s food system and with a minimum of 2 years of operations.
For Stream 1: Regional Distribution Networks and Shared Storage
2. BC-based agriculture and seafood input suppliers, producers, food processors, industry associations and small-to-medium sized businesses along the food supply chain including:
a. Input suppliers
b. Producers
c. Processors
d. Co-packers
e. Distributors
f. Wholesalers
g. Independent retailers
h. Industry associations
i. Commercial food hubs
j. Indigenous nations and organizations
3. Commercial food hubs refer to shared-use food and beverage processing facilities that offer food and agriculture businesses access to commercial processing space, equipment, expertise and resources to support business development and growth.
4. Other value-chain/industry members, such as academic or agritech companies, can be partners on projects, but not direct applicants for funding.
For Stream 2: Independent Grocery or Co-operative Retailers
5. Only Independent or Co-operative Grocery Retailers
a. Independent Grocery Retailers must meet the NAICS definition of what constitutes a grocer NAICS code 44511. This definition is accepted by all government in North America–Canada, US and all provinces, territories and States. The 44511 definition:
This industry comprises establishments, known as supermarkets and grocery stores, primarily engaged in retailing a general line of food, such as canned, dry and frozen foods; fresh fruits and vegetables; fresh and prepared meats, fish, poultry, dairy products, baked products and snack foods. These establishments also typically retail a range of non-food household products, such as household paper products, toiletries and non-prescription drugs. (Statistics Canada)
Application Steps:
Applicants must:
1. Create an Account & Register Organization
a. Go to the IAF Client Portal
b. Create a personal profile (name and email)
c. Provide organization information
For Stream 1: Regional Distribution Networks and Shared Storage
Applicants must:
1. complete a two-step application process. An Expression of Interest (EOI) can be submitted starting September 28, 2023, until October 26, 2023, at 4:30 pm PST. EOI submissions will be accepted through the IAF Client Portal.
2. Eligible applicants/projects will be notified with an Invitation to Apply and be invited to complete a full application. If you are invited to apply, you will have 30 calendar days to submit a complete online application and provide documents.
3. An invitation to complete a full application is not a guarantee of funding.
For Stream 2: Independent or Co-operative Grocery Retailers
1. Applicants must complete an online application. Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis starting September 28, 2023, until November 9, 2023, at 4:30 pm PST. Applications submissions will be accepted through the IAF Client Portal.
Documentation Needed:
Applicants must submit:
For Stream 1:
1. Funding stream and project type.
2. A concise project description.
3. An indicative project cost.
4. Proposed benefits / impacts.
5. Partners, if any.
6. supplementary materials in support of their application (e.g., letters of support, CV’s, quotes)
For Stream 2:
1. EOI including:
a. Project start & end dates.
b. Detailed project description, project goals and objectives.
c. description of key activities/outcomes, who will undertake work and a timeline.
d. Intended benefits/impact.
e. Partnerships and communications plan.
f. Funding request/detailed project budget.
2. supplementary materials in support of their application (e.g., letters of support, CV’s, quotes)
Other Things to Note:
About the author
Maurice
