If you sell food in Canada, you usually need a written food safety plan. This plan is required by regulators, buyers, and insurers. But making a plan that meets all the rules takes time, and most people hire an expert to help. Programs like Nova Scotia’s Planning New Opportunities Program (PNOP) can pay for most of these costs. This support makes it easier and more affordable to create a food safety plan that works for your business.
A food safety plan shows how your business handles food safely. It explains how you prevent, check, and respond to food safety risks. Many farms and agri-food businesses use standards like HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points). HACCP is a method that helps you find and control risks in food production.
A solid food safety plan usually covers:
Most businesses need a qualified consultant to prepare or review these documents. Government funding can help cover the cost of hiring this expert.
The Planning New Opportunities Program (PNOP) in Nova Scotia helps pay for food safety planning. This program lists food safety plan development as an eligible activity.
Who is eligible?
Applicants must be actively farming or operating in the program year and must be 19 years of age or older.
Here is a simple way to build your food safety plan and apply for funding:
Decide which products, processes, and places your plan will cover. A plan that is too general might not meet buyer or inspector needs.
PNOP funding is for hiring outside consultants, not for paying your own staff. Make sure your consultant has food safety or HACCP experience that fits your operation.
You must get approval from PNOP before your consultant begins. Costs from before approval are not eligible.
Your consultant will help you write steps, forms, and logs. You are still responsible for putting the plan into action and keeping it up to date.
Save your invoices, contracts, and the finished food safety plan. You will need these when you report to the program.
Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you quickly find programs by province and industry. This is useful if you are outside Nova Scotia or want to compare other planning grants.
Starting work before approval
If you hire a consultant before your application is approved, your costs may not be covered.
Using a generic plan template
Your plan should be specific to your operation. Generic templates often do not pass audits.
Not budgeting for all costs
Food safety planning may include updates and staff training. Make sure your budget is realistic.
Missing eligibility rules
Farms must meet the registration and income rules. Agri-businesses must clearly represent Nova Scotia agri-food products.
Q: What is the Planning New Opportunities Program?
It is a Nova Scotia government program that pays for planning, competitiveness, and risk management activities in agriculture, including food safety plans.
Q: How much funding can I receive for a food safety plan?
You can receive up to $15,000 per year, covering up to 75% of eligible project costs. Always check the latest PNOP guidelines to confirm current limits.
Q: Are food safety consultants an eligible expense?
Yes. Consultant services for developing food safety plans are eligible under PNOP.
Q: Is the funding repayable?
No. PNOP funding is a non-repayable grant. You do not have to pay it back if you meet the program rules.
Q: Can Mi’kmaq farmers apply?
Yes. Mi’kmaq individuals or groups farming in Mi’kmaw communities can apply.
A strong food safety plan keeps your customers safe and builds trust with buyers and regulators. Government funding can cover most of the cost if you apply early and follow the program rules. GrantHub tracks active grant programs across Canada, so you can see which ones fit your business and planning needs.
Was this article helpful?
Rate it so we can improve our content.
Canada Proactive Disclosure Data
The Canadian government has funded over 400,000 businesses through 1.27 million grants and contributions. Check your eligibility in 60 seconds.