Sustainable New Agri-Food Products & Productivity Program — New Products

Bringing a new food or agriculture product to market often requires upfront investment in equipment, packaging, or processing capacity that can be hard to justify on cash flow alone. For northern Ontario producers and agri-food businesses looking to innovate, the Sustainable New Agri-Food Products & Productivity Program — New Products offers targeted support to help turn those ideas into saleable products. Delivered by the Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN), this stream focuses on projects that introduce primary or processed products that are new to your business and designed to strengthen competitiveness.

Through this program, eligible businesses can receive non-repayable, cost-shared funding to offset part of the cost of equipment and materials needed to launch a new product line. This can include investments like small-scale processing equipment, wash-and-pack systems, or packaging and labelling tools that make it possible to reach new markets or meet growing demand. Funding is typically available for projects with activity in northern Ontario, with support of up to around $15,000 for individual businesses and higher amounts for collaborative projects involving multiple partners.

The New Products stream is particularly relevant for established farms, processors, and agri-food enterprises that are ready to move beyond raw production and add value through innovation. Applications are currently being accepted, and learning more about project fit, funding structure, and requirements can help you decide if this opportunity aligns with your next stage of growth.