Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Financial Assistance for Ontario's Rural Communities

The provincial government and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs work together to help grow Ontario by providing rural communities with funding programs that support good jobs, attract investment, and help them make an even greater contribution to Ontario's economic success.

Jobs and Prosperity Fund - Food and Beverage Growth Fund

Within the Jobs and Prosperity Fund, the Food and Beverage Growth Fund provides funding for strategic investments that help create sustainable jobs; enhance innovation, productivity and market access; and strengthen supply chains in the food, beverage and bioproduct processing sectors. This fund is available for food, beverage and bioproduct processing projects across the province with more than $5 million in eligible costs.

Local Food Fund - program ended January 2015

The Local Food Fund was a three-year initiative that provided funding of up to $10 million per year to support innovative local food projects that reduced barriers to regional economic development; resulted in sustainable regional economic development; and had a positive impact on Ontario's economy.

Projects included: funding to promote local food events, community food projects, individual business expansions.