Current programs to help food & beverage businesses with expansion, food safety, training and hiring.
Value-Added Program
- This program supports the continued diversification, innovation, growth and prosperity in Alberta’s value-added food and bio industrial sectors. Processors can apply for grants for value-added projects that increase company sales and production capacity, expand market opportunities and create jobs in Alberta.
- Two streams for the 2024–25 fiscal year.
- Stream A opened April 15 and is open for projects with a maximum grant of $50,000.
- Stream B closed May 27, and will reopen in April 2025. For projects over $50,000 to a maximum of $250,000.
Emerging Opportunities Program
- This program supports the Government of Alberta’s strategic objectives related to growth and development of Alberta’s value-added agriculture sector. The program supports projects that focus on innovation and result in significant company growth and sector impact. Projects can include new technologies, best new practices, significant capacity expansion and new builds.
- Contact the department directly to discuss your project and – if it fits with eligibility and criteria – you will be invited to submit a letter of request.
- The program has limited funding. The maximum grant is $1,000,000 per fiscal year to a maximum of $2,000,000.
- Cost shared at 25% for approved capital expenses and 50% for approved non-capital expenses.
The Resiliency and Public Trust Program
- The program aims to support the agriculture and agri-food sectors in adopting to evolving challenges, promoting sustainable practices and building public trust.
- The program has limited funding and the applications are on a case-by-case basis and will be assessed against the program eligibility criteria and subject to funding constraints.
- You may not receive more than $500,000 per year under a grant agreement and the maximum grant payable for eligible non-capital expenses is $250,000 per grant agreement per year.
- Priority areas that might be of interest to co-packers include sustainability integration, food safety, quality standards, and mental health.
Good to Know
Key tips to consider when preparing an application for funding programs:
- Review and identify the program(s) that best meet your project needs.
- Review the focus, eligibility criteria and timeframes for the program ahead. Make note of key information required for the application process.
- Be specific when completing the description of your project and articulate why completion of this work is important to your business.
- Articulate how the project’s expected outcomes relate to the funding program desired outcomes.
- When completing the application, avoid using jargon.
- Answer the questions on the applications with positive and direct answers.
- Demonstrate (provide documentation) that you have resources, such as people and money to complete the project.
- Clearly identify the project costs. Conduct research and, if required, gather quotes to accompany the application.
- Clearly identify the project start and finish dates.
- Include letters of support from buyers, customers or others with your application demonstrating how your project is important. (Eg. purchase orders, economic information, social impacts or sustainability impacts.)
- Have someone proofread your application.
- Submit the application on or before the deadline.
AgriAssurance: Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises Component
The Federal program, which officially ends March 31, 2028, helps small- and medium-sized enterprises export products by supporting the adoption of assurance systems and tools to make verifiable claims in order to meet market requirements.
Applications will be accepted until September 30, 2027. This may close sooner if the funding has been fully committed.
Agricultural Financial Services
- Offers a variety of loans for agriculture and agribusiness in Alberta.
- The Agribusiness loan program provides Alberta’s food processors, agribusiness, agricultural suppliers, manufacturers and rural utilities with a consistent source of fixed rate term loans.
- Call +1 877 899 2372 or email info@afsc.ca
AgriInnovate Program
This program provides repayable contributions for projects that aim to accelerate the commercialization, adoption and or demonstration of innovative products, technologies, processes or services that increase agri-sector competitiveness and sustainability.
Intake period is accepted on a continuous basis until the program ends March 31, 2028 or until funding has been completely committed.
Farm Credit Canada (FCC)
FCC understands the food industry and will work with start-ups and mature businesses alike to structure the loan that makes sense for your business.
Business Development Canada (BDC) Small Business Loan
Supplement cash flow, purchase equipment, software or hardware without using cash you need for everyday activities. Sell online to increase sales, run marketing campaigns, hire a consultant, cover expenses, pay suppliers, landlords and employees with a small business loan up to $100,000.
Canada Alberta Job Grant
- Training program where an employer applies on behalf of their present or future employees for eligible training costs.
- Employers decide who gets training and what type of training may be needed for their employees.
- Eligible employers are required to contribute a minimum of one third of the total cost of training for existing employees and government contributes two thirds of the cost to a maximum of $10,000 per trainee per fiscal year.
- If hiring and training an unemployed Albertan, up to 100% of training costs could be covered up to $15,000 per trainee.
