Local Food Infrastructure Fund — Large-Scale Projects ### 📋 Eligible Entities - Agricultural cooperatives and farmer organizations - Non-profit organizations focused on food security and community development - Indigenous communities and Indigenous-led organizations - Municipal governments and regional authorities - Public institutions (schools, hospitals, community centers) - Social enterprises with food security mandates - Multi-stakeholder partnerships and consortiums with formal governance structures - Registered charities operating in the food sector Note: Projects must demonstrate multi-partner collaboration and community benefit. --- ### 💰 Funding Details - Grant Amount: $150,000 to $500,000 (non-repayable contribution) - Repayability: Non-repayable grant (no loan component) - Matching Requirements: Typically requires 20-40% cost-sharing from applicant or partners (cash or in-kind contributions) - Project Scale: Designed for large-scale infrastructure projects with multiple infrastructure and equipment components --- ### 🛠️ Approved Expenses - Food processing and storage infrastructure (cold storage, processing facilities, warehousing) - Commercial kitchen equipment and food safety systems - Production equipment (growing systems, preservation equipment, packaging machinery) - Transportation and logistics infrastructure - Food distribution networks and hub development - Climate control and food preservation technology - Feasibility studies and project planning related to infrastructure - Infrastructure planning and design costs (up to a defined percentage) Ineligible: Ongoing operational costs, personnel salaries, marketing, or land acquisition alone. --- ### ⚠️ Conditions & Milestones - Partnership Requirement: Project must involve formal partnerships between at least two organizations (documented governance agreement required) - Community Benefit: Must demonstrate measurable impact on local/community food security - Project Timeline: Typically 18-36 months for completion - Reporting: Quarterly progress reports and final project evaluation required - Fund Drawdown: Funds released in tranches tied to milestone completion and eligible expense verification - Accountability: Recipients must maintain detailed financial records and conduct independent audit if required - Outcome Metrics: Must establish and track key performance indicators (food access, jobs created