Question Period Note: STRENGTHENING CANADA’S FOOD SYSTEMS

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Launched in 2019, the Food Policy for Canada seeks to create healthier and more sustainable food systems in Canada, building on the Government’s ambitious agenda to support the growth of Canada’s farmers and food businesses. The Food Policy brings a coordinated approach to dealing with food issues in Canada by strengthening linkages across federal initiatives that affect food.
Budget 2024 included new investments in community priorities to improve access to food. These investments included $62.9 million over three years to renew and expand the Local Food Infrastructure Fund to strengthen local food security, and $42.8 million to strengthen access to culturally important foods through the Northern Isolated Community Initiatives Fund, Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program and implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
Local Food Infrastructure Fund
Budget 2024 allocated $62.9 million over three years to renew and expand the Local Food Infrastructure Fund (LFIF) to support community organizations across Canada to invest in local food infrastructure. Priority is given to Indigenous and Black communities, along with other equity-deserving groups. Part of the expansion was allocated to the School Food Infrastructure Fund (SFIF) to support community organizations to improve infrastructure for school food programs as a complement to the National School Food Program.
• Small Scale Projects provide grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 for initiatives aimed at addressing local food security needs through the purchase and installation of infrastructure or equipment. These projects must include a production element and will be funded during two intake periods: October 1-31, 2024, and August 25 – September 24, 2025. A total of $23.5 million will be available over three years, starting in 2024-25. The first intake funded 87 projects valued at $5.6 million.
• Large Scale Projects offer non-repayable contributions between $150,000 and $500,000 for larger, more comprehensive initiatives. These projects must involve multiple infrastructure or equipment needs and include at least two partnerships to enhance community food security. The application intake for Large Scale Projects took place from January 13 to February 28, 2025, with a total of $19.2 million available over two years, starting in 2025-26.
• School Food Infrastructure Fund includes total funding of up to $20.2 million and was launched in September 2024. A total of 10 organizations have been approved for funding, which will further distribute funds to community-based not-for-profit organizations involved in the delivery of school food programming through a transparent decision-making process.
National School Food Policy
Launched in June 2024, the National School Food Policy articulates the federal government's long-term vision for a future where all children can have access to nutritious school meals. This fulfills a commitment to work with provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous partners and stakeholders towards the creation of a National School Food Program.
National School Food Program
Budget 2024 committed $1 billion over five years to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Inuit Relations and Northern Affairs Canada to implement the National School Food Program (the Program), working with provinces, territories, and Indigenous partners to increase access to school food programs across Canada. It is estimated that the Program could reach up to 400,000 students annually and save participating families with two children in school approximately $800 per year on groceries.
The National School Food Policy guides the implementation of the Program, articulating a foundation for nutritious, accessible, flexible, and accountable school food programming. Bilateral agreements have been signed with all 13 provinces and territories (PTs) to expand and enhance school food programs; PTs consult with school jurisdictions, delivery partners, and stakeholders (which often include local agricultural groups) in determining how to allocate federal funding to best support local needs and priorities.
Budget 2024 Investments Supporting Access to Culturally Important Foods
Northern Isolated Community Initiatives Fund – $14.9 million over three years to renew and expand the Fund to all regions of Inuit Nunangat in support of local and Indigenous food production systems, including innovative northern food businesses, which contribute to food security in the North.
Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program - $25.1 million over two years to expand the Program to assist Indigenous communities to safely access shellfish harvest for food, as well as for social and ceremonial purposes.
Implementing the UNDA Action Plan Measures – $2.8 million over three years to bolster the policy and engagement capacity among Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and Inuit Treaty Organizations to co-develop legislative and policy options to facilitate the production, sale, and trade of traditional and country food.
 

• We launched the Food Policy for Canada to advance food systems that meet the needs of Canadians and support the growth of our farmers and food businesses.

• Through the Local Food Infrastructure Fund, we’re providing critical funding for communities to get the infrastructure they need in place to put healthy, local food on tables.

• The National School Food Program, backed by a $1 billion investment in Budget 2024, is providing up to 400,000 students with nutritious meals every day, saving families money and creating opportunities for local food producers.