Small Food Processor Scale-Up Program
$150,000.00
Grant
Description:
The Small Food Processor Scale-Up Program supports projects in BC’s diverse value-added food processing sector to scale up operations to increase productivity, business opportunities, and competitiveness.
The Small Food Processor Scale-Up (SFPS) Program is a multi-year, up to $2M program funded by the Government of BC through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (AF) and delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC (IAF).
SFPS is one of two programs supported by the Food Affordability and Innovation Fund (FAI), an up to $20M fund. FAI aims to improve food affordability in BC through targeted investments in supply chains, food system innovations and partnerships. Learn more about FAI.
Comments on Funding:
Projects may receive from $25K to $150K in cost-shared funding for infrastructure, equipment, and
related training, depending on their activities and budgets. The total funding per applicant cannot
exceed the project funding limit of $150K.
Subsidiaries can apply for funding separately from their parent organization provided they are legal
entities and meet the two-year and $100k eligibility criteria as a subsidiary. The total funding for the
parent organization and all subsidiaries cannot not exceed the project funding limit of $150K.
Stacking of funds from other government programs is allowed up to 100% except for select programs
delivered by IAF, including (but not limited to): Agricultural Water Infrastructure Program, Farmed
Animal Disease Program, Fraser Valley Flood Mitigation Program, and Food Processing Growth Fund.
Applications are closed. Stay tuned for future intake announcements.
Eligibility:
Applicants must
1. Be in the Province of British Columbia
2. Established food and/or seafood processing business, with:
a. Minimum of two years in operation.
b. Minimum of $100K gross annual revenues and a maximum of $499K gross annual revenues. Applicants will be required to provide documentation that proves how they meet the small food processor revenue criteria.
c. Processors that materially transform a product / included under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)s codes 311 or 312 are eligible to apply.
3. Established commercial food hub, commissary kitchen and other shared-use commercial food processing facilities:
a. Facility not required to meet minimum or maximum gross annual revenues but must be in operation for a minimum of one year. Proof of operations (examples could include occupancy permits, business licenses and local health authority permits, paid invoices from tenants etc.) will be required for verification purposes.
b. Projects must fit within one priority commodity group.
c. Projects must be intended for shared use and benefit multiple business tenants within the facility.
d. Individual business tenants within these types of facilities are also eligible to apply as an
4. For primary meat processors only:
a. Farmgate Plus license holders must have a minimum of 1 year in operation (no minimum or maximum revenue threshold) and be seeking funding to support their transition to become an abattoir. Applicants must demonstrate 1 year of actual operation, not simply holding a license, and be required to confirm they have applied for an Abattoir license before project completion.
b. Abattoir license holders must have a minimum of 2 years in operation (no minimum revenue threshold; maximum revenue of $499k gross annual revenues with audited statements required).
Application Steps:
Applicants must apply through the IAF Client Portal
1. Create an Account and register organization.
a. Go to the IAF Client Portal
b. Create a personal profile (name and email)
c. Provide organization information, including:
Name
contact details
type of organization
BC ID / CRA numbers
primary contact
and more
3. Select Small Food Processor Scale-Up Program from the Funding Opportunities
Documentation Needed:
Applicants must submit:
1. Applicant type
2. Project start & end dates
3. Project activities
4. Details confirming that activities align with / support their program goals
5. Anticipated project benefits
6. Project Lead
7. Resourcing for the implementation of project activities.
8. Project expenses and project funding required
9. Permit status, if required
10. Communications/information sharing activities
11. Audited financial statements (for processing businesses)
Other Things to Note:
About the author
Maurice
