Small Food Processor Scale-Up Program (SFPS)

Small Food Processor Scale-Up Program (SFPS) is sponsored by Government of British Columbia through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (AF) and delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC (IAF). This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

Small Food Processor Scale-Up Program - Fair Grant Writing Home Blog Small Food Processor Scale-Up Program Small Food Processor Scale-Up Program Amount: up to $150K in cost-shared funding of up to 75% of eligible costs .

The Small Food Processor Scale-Up (SFPS) Program is a multi-year, up to $2M program funded by the Government of BC through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (AF) and delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC (IAF). The Program supports projects in BC’s diverse value-added food processing sector to scale up operations to increase productivity, business opportunities, and competitiveness.

The goal is to address gaps in BC’s food processing sector to increase food production and economic growth by supporting facility upgrades, new equipment, expanding processing capacity and related training. The Small Food Processor Scale-Up Program aims to: Assist Small Food Processors in scaling up operations to increase productivity, business opportunities and competitiveness.

Support existing licensed Farm Gate Plus and Abattoir operations to scale up and strengthen local meat supply chains. To be considered eligible for this program, an applicant must be in the Province of British Columbia , and must be a(n): Established food and/or seafood processing business, with: Minimum of two years in operation. Minimum of $100K gross annual revenues and a maximum of $499K gross annual revenues.

Applicants will be required to provide documentation that proves how they meet the small food processor revenue criteria. Processors that materially transform a product / included under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)s codes 311 or 312 are eligible to apply.

Established commercial food hub, commissary kitchen and other shared-use commercial food processing facilities: Facility not required to meet minimum or maximum gross annual revenues but must be in operation for a minimum of one year. Proof of operations (examples could include occupancy permits, business licenses and local health authority permits, paid invoices from tenants etc.) will be required for verification purposes.

Projects must fit within one priority commodity group. Projects must be intended for shared use and benefit multiple business tenants within the facility. Individual business tenants within these types of facilities are also eligible to apply as an established food and/or seafood processing business if they meet the criteria detailed above.

For primary meat processors only: Farmgate Plus license holders must have a minimum of 1 year in operation (no minimum or maximum revenue threshold) and be seeking funding to support their transition to become an abattoir. Applicants must demonstrate 1 year of actual operation, not simply holding a license, and be required to confirm they have applied for an Abattoir license before project completion.

Abattoir license holders must have a minimum of 2 years in operation (no minimum revenue threshold; maximum revenue of $499k gross annual revenues with audited statements required). Eligible Activities / Expenses The following project activities and costs are eligible for funding through the SFPS Program. Purchase and install new or upgraded/expanded facilities and infrastructure and equipment.

This includes: Capital investments in new and upgraded/expanded facility/infrastructure (e.g. new cooler/freezer, production room expansion). Eligible costs include costs for renovations, site improvements, construction, and other related costs. New/upgraded equipment/machinery to increase production capacity or support product line expansion.

Related training and upskilling to support adoption and implementation. Training costs must be provided by an external organization or company and can only be claimed with an invoice. Purchase and install new technology and systems.

This includes: New innovative technologies, software, advanced automation such as robotics, digital or Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology and systems that would increase processing capacity (e.g. AI, automated sorters, logistic or distribution software, supply chain and logistics solutions).

Eligible costs include costs for facility changes, upgrades and modifications required for installation of advanced automation or manufacturing technology or equipment. Related training and upskilling to support adoption and implementation. Training costs must be provided by an external organization or company and can only be claimed with an invoice.

Applied Research and development (R&D) for new improved products, lab analysis, packaging etc. R&D for new and improved products using technology, access to laboratory equipment for food and ingredient development and analysis such as pH, shelf-life, microbiology testing, sensory analysis, ingredient and nutritional analysis, and applied research support and expertise (private or academic institutions).

Activities to support product development or adaptation of new products must be commercialized and launched before February 1, 2026. Related training and upskilling to support adoption and implementation. Training costs must be provided by an external organization or company and can only be claimed with an invoice.

Examples of Eligible Projects Below are some examples of eligible projects under the Small Food Processor Scale-Up Program (SFPS). This list is provided to assist applicants in project development and is not exhaustive. Build, upgrade, or expand infrastructure (new cooler or freezer, production room expansion).

Purchase and installation of equipment or machinery (including IT systems) to increase production capacity or support product line expansion, including specialized training related to the use of the equipment and/or machinery. Activities or equipment to support development of a new product development or adaptation of existing products to meet the needs of customers in different markets.

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis starting September 21, 2023, until November 2, 2023, at 4:30 pm PST. September 21, 2023 – Application Intake Open November 2, 2023 at 4:30pm PST – Application Deadline December 1, 2023 – Funding Notification to Applicants & Earliest Project Start Date February 1, 2026 – Project Close Check Your Eligibility Now Do You Qualify for a Grant?