ATTENTION:
DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MAY 4th 2025 at 11:59PM AT
Overview
The Atlantic School Food Infrastructure Fund (SFIF) is designed to support the development and enhancement of school food programs across Atlantic Canada. This initiative will provide funding for infrastructure improvements that help schools and community organizations deliver sustainable, nutritious, and accessible meal programs for students.
Through the SFIF, eligible recipients can access financial support to upgrade kitchen facilities, purchase essential equipment, and boost school food initiatives to ensure all children have access to healthy meals at school.
The program has two funding streams; a small grants stream for projects with eligible expenses between $5000 and $25,000, and a large grants stream for projects with eligible expenses between $25,000 and $150,000.
Goals of the program
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• SFIF supports the purchase and installation of infrastructure and equipment that increases the capacity of community organizations to produce, process, store, and distribute food for school food programs.
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• Through investments in infrastructure that expand the reach and impact of school food programming, SFIF also aims to ultimately strengthen wider community and local food systems; and help ensure that children have the nutritious meals they need to learn, grow, and reach their full potential.
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• Funding will prioritize recipients who are serving schools attended by children and youth from lower-income families as well as visible minority and Indigenous communities. The lack of access to food disproportionately impacts children and youth from those groups.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a grant from this fund you must be a nonprofit organization engaged with school food programs.
The following kinds of organizations are not eligible
Schools and school boards
Health authorities
Governments - municipal, provincial, federal, or Indigenous
Academic or educational institutions
For-profit entities
Not sure about your eligibility? Consult our FAQ
Eligible Expenses
The table below outlines which costs are eligible and which costs are not. Please note that any taxes that you will be refunded for are not eligible costs.
Food Production
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Eligible for Funding
• Gardens
• Food forests
• Garden boxes/beds/tools
• Greenhouses or domes
• Vertical and/or hydroponic gardens
• Seeds, soil, compost
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Not Eligible for Funding
• Aquaponics and Aquaculture Equipment
• Livestock
• Safety equipment
• Storage shed
• Water hook-up (from the city/municipal water source)
Transformation, processing, and preparation of food
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Eligible for Funding
• Essential cooking equipment, such as combination (combi) ovens, steamers, large and small kitchen appliances
• Food preparation equipment, such as large capacity food processors, prep tables, mixers, slicers
• Washing equipment, such as a commercial dishwasher, or equipment necessary to maintain hygiene standards with respect to food preparation
• Receiving bay, loading dock
• Kitchen tools (e.g. knives, cutting boards) and cookware
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Not Eligible for Funding
• Food (perishable and non-perishable)
• Speciality coffee equipment
• Donut makers
• Deep fryers
• Hand sinks
• Cleaning supplies (e.g. mops, brooms, cloths)
• Consumable supplies (such as dish soap, hair nets, jars, lids, vacuum seal bags, takeaway containers, personal protective equipment)
Refrigeration and storage of food
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Eligible for Funding
• Industrial refrigerators, freezers, walk-in cooler/freezer
• Blast-chill or cook-chill equipment
• Root cellar
• Refrigerated or insulated shipping containers
• Packaging equipment, such as vacuum sealers
• Food storage racks
• Shelving for food storage areas
• Bulk storage containers for food/bins
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Not Eligible for Funding
• Any equipment pertaining to the storage of non-food items
Transportation and distribution of food
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Eligible for Funding
• Vehicles including cargo van, refrigerated vehicle (eligible vehicles can be electric and can include related infrastructure) specifically to support school food programming involving multiple schools (e.g., including distribution to schools)
• Trailers, refrigerated or non-refrigerated
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Not Eligible for Funding
• Food trucks
• Passenger vehicles (for example, pick-up trucks/minivans)
• Lease of vehicles
• Transportation expenses (gas, maintenance)
Other Costs
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Eligible for Funding
• Contracted installation (only eligible for SFIF-funded equipment)
• Freight and duty charges
• One-time initial training for operation of a specialized piece of equipment funded under the project
• Shipping
• Site preparation, including removal and disposal of an old piece of equipment
• Minor renovations, including updating electrical wiring, plumbing or ventilation, specifically in order to install commercial grade equipment and meet safety standards; equipment must also be funded under the project.
• Minor renovations to a kitchen/food preparation area to facilitate the installation of equipment that is funded under the project.
• Other materials and supplies related to the installation of funded equipment.
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Not Eligible for Funding
• Administrative costs
• Computer and software equipment
• Costs associated with ongoing operations (for example, labour, staff, rent, insurance, utilities) • Costs related to marketing activities or business promotion
• Furniture
• Generators
• Salaries, honorariums, consultant fees, gift cards
• HVAC systems
• Lease of equipment
• Major renovations to substantially adapt or refurbish an existing space
• Major construction, including additions or new buildings
• Purchase or lease of land or buildings
• Signage
• Training/technical assistance (e.g., to develop skills and expertise in nutrition, meal planning or food preparation)
• Refundable Taxes (federal and provincial)
• Warranty fees (for extended warranty, vehicles)
Application process
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Carefully review the eligibility criteria and funding priorities before applying.
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Applications will be submitted through an online form - see “TO APPLY” section.
Required documents may include a project proposal, budget breakdown, and support letters.
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Application deadline: Sunday, April 27, 11:59 PM Atlantic Time
Late submissions will not be considered.
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A selection committee will assess applications based on impact, feasibility, and alignment with SFIF goals.
Applicants will receive notification of funding decisions in early June.
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Selected applicants will receive funding following the receipt of a signed contribution agreement
Recipients will be required to submit progress and impact reports.
10% of funds will be held back until final reporting is complete
FAQs
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A: The program is open only to non-profit organizations engaged with school food programming.
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A: The SFIF supports infrastructure-related improvements such as kitchen upgrades, food storage enhancements, and equipment purchases. Please carefully review the eligible expenses list before applying as there are very specific items that are allowed and others that are not.
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A: There are two streams within this fund. Small grants are between $5000 and $25,000 while Large Grants are between $25,000 and $150,000.
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A: The application deadline is Sunday, April 27, 11:59 PM Atlantic Time. We recommend that you check back for updates.
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A: Applications will be evaluated by a multi-province selection committee. Decisions are based on impact, feasibility, alignment with the SFIF objectives, community benefits, and a focus on equity.
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A: In a facility owned, rented, or used by your organization. If you don't own the facility, you'll need to provide a letter from the owner or operator to confirm you have permission to install.
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A: Yes, with some restrictions. See the Eligible Expenses page
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A: No, these funds cannot be used to pay staffing costs or honorariums for volunteers
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A: All funds need to be spent and equipment installed by March 30th 2026
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A: Yes, as long as your project fits their geographic area and focus. You can find a list of organizations distributing the SFIF here. You may use SFIF funds from multiple sources towards a single larger project, but you cannot receive funding twice for the same budget item.
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A: Under some circumstances, yes. You can only be reimbursed for equipment that is delivered after April 1st, 2025 and ordered later than January 31st, 2025. If you choose to apply for a cost you’ve already taken on, you accept the risk that your application will not be funded and you will not be reimbursed.
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A: No. As long as you have nonprofit status and are engaged with school food programming, you can apply, even if your organization is new.
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A: Yes, but only for taxes that you will not be reimbursed for. You may need to provide documentation to confirm your eligibility for HST reimbursement.
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A: School food programming can occur outside of school hours as long as the meals and/or snacks are served within the schools and students are the target group (i.e., not for the general public). The purchases must meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the eligible expenses section.
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A: The cost would be eligible if it relates to a new piece of eligible equipment and is relevant to its safe installation.
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A: No; recipients do not need to acknowledge AAFC support in any way. This means that they should not use the Departmental logo or text credit sentence.
To Apply
Follow the links to the application forms:
A PDF version of the application is available for download here:
Please note that PDF copies will not be accepted. This version is to help with drafting only.
For technical difficulties with the online portal please review the FAQ section and if problems persist contact: info@AtlanticSFIF.ca
Contact us
For more information, please reach out to us:
*Please note that our ability to offer individual assistance is limited. A team member will be reviewing the emails received and will be updating the FAQ section to provide additional information for all potential applicants.
Stay updated by joining our mailing list for announcements and key dates. Send an email to info@AtlanticSFIF.ca to be added to the mailing list for updates.
Partners
The Atlantic SFIF is redistributed in collaboration with the following organizations:
