Canada’s first National Food Security Strategy represents one of the largest federal investments in the agri-food sector in decades. Announced on June 11, 2026, the strategy commits more than $3 billion over the next ten years to strengthen the country’s food system by expanding domestic food production, increasing food processing capacity, improving year-round food security, and making it easier for Canadian businesses to invest and grow.
While many of the new funding initiatives announced under the strategy have yet to launch, businesses don’t have to wait. Many existing federal and regional funding programs already support projects that align closely with the Strategy’s objectives, including research and development, commercialization, capital expansion, automation, artificial intelligence, export development, and workforce growth.
Major Investments Announced
The National Food Security Strategy includes several significant funding commitments:
- $1 billion for new and expanded food infrastructure, including food terminals and distribution hubs.
- $1 billion through Farm Credit Canada’s Agri-food Project Finance Fund to help businesses expand food processing capacity.
- $750 million to increase year-round fruit and vegetable production through greenhouses, vertical farms, and other controlled environment agriculture systems.
- $150 million through a Food Security Fund to help small and medium-sized businesses upgrade food production and food processing equipment.
- $100 million through a Collaborative Food Innovation Fund to support collaborative agri-food innovation projects.
Beyond funding, the strategy also proposes simplifying regulations, speeding up approvals for agricultural products and inputs, reducing barriers to selling food across provincial borders, introducing immediate expensing for new or expanded greenhouse construction.
One of the Strategy’s first funding initiatives is already underway through the Strategic Response Fund (SRF), which is now accepting applications for large-scale food processing, manufacturing, packaging, and supply chain projects. The current intake is focused on projects that strengthen Canada’s domestic food production and processing capacity through new facilities, major expansions, modernization, and critical infrastructure investments. The first intake closes on August 4, 2026, with a second intake expected later this fall.
Although the remaining announcements signal a major federal commitment to Canada’s agri-food sector, many of the details that businesses care about most, including eligibility requirements, application processes, funding limits, and launch dates—have not yet been released. Fortunately, companies pursuing these types of projects may already qualify for a number of existing funding programs.
Current Funding Opportunities at a Glance:
| Program | Focus Areas | Eligibility | Deadline |
| Strategic Response Fund | Large-scale food processing, manufacturing, packaging and supply chain projects | Canadian businesses with 10+ employees investing $20M+ in eligible projects | August 4, 2026 (Intake 1) |
| AgriMarketing Program | Export development, market diversification, trade missions & marketing | Canadian agri-food, agri-product, fish and seafood organizations | Continuous to September 30, 2030 |
| AgriScience Program | Applied research & development | Canadian companies conducting pre-commercial agricultural R&D | Continuous to March 31, 2028 |
| NPC Proof of Concept | Commercialization of bio-based products & technologies | Canadian SMEs, start-ups and research organizations | Contact NPC |
| NPC Access to Talent | Hiring experienced talent | Canadian SMEs and start-ups with <25 employees | Contact NPC |
| CAAIN Clean Agtech Validation & Integration | Demonstration of clean agtech, automation & emissions reduction technologies | Collaborative projects involving 2+ Canadian SMEs | Multiple intakes |
| CAAIN 2026 Open Competition | Collaborative agtech R&D, robotics, AI & automation | Consortia involving 2+ Canadian SMEs | Multiple intakes |
| PIC Artificial Intelligence Program | AI adoption in Canada’s plant-based food sector | Consortia involving at least one Canadian SMEs | Continuous intake |
| PIC Genomics Stream (PIC) | Crop genomics and breeding innovation | Consortia involving at least one Canadian SMEs | Continuous intake |
| CAAIN Prairie Agtech Validation Program | On-farm validation of agtech (AI, robotics, digital tools) | Prairie producers + agtech companies | Contact CAAIN |
| CFIN Ontario Food Technology Pilot (CFIN) | Food tech pilot/demonstration in processing, retail, foodservice, distribution | Southern Ontario food technology SMEs | Multiple intakes; project completion by Mar 31, 2027 |
Final Thoughts
Canada’s National Food Security Strategy signals that food production, food processing, and agricultural innovation will remain major federal priorities for years to come. While many of the newly announced initiatives are still being developed, businesses planning projects today already have access to a broad range of funding programs that support research and development, commercialization, automation, facility expansion, export growth, and workforce development.
The funding landscape is also evolving quickly. As additional components of the National Food Security Strategy are introduced, new funding opportunities are expected to become available. Businesses planning future investments should stay on top of new announcements to ensure they don’t miss emerging opportunities.
If you’re considering an innovation, expansion, or commercialization project and aren’t sure which funding programs are the best fit, NorthBridge can help identify the most appropriate funding opportunities and guide you through the application process. Contact us today.
