Many Canadian communities struggle with limited access to affordable, nutritious food. The Local Food Infrastructure Fund (LFIF): Large Scale Projects was created to help address this gap by funding shared food infrastructure that strengthens local food systems. If you lead a community-based project and want to know whether you qualify, this guide explains the eligibility rules in plain language.
The Large Scale stream of the Local Food Infrastructure Fund supports bigger projects that require partnerships and real infrastructure investments. This stream is not for small pilot ideas or single equipment purchases.
The Local Food Infrastructure Fund — Large Scale Projects is a federal program delivered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. It provides non-repayable contributions between $150,000 and $500,000 for projects that improve community food security through local food production and distribution.
You may qualify if your organization leads a community food security project. Eligible applicants often include:
For-profit businesses are usually not eligible as the lead applicant, but they can be partners in a community-led project.
Your project must meet all of these requirements:
Focus on community food security
The project must improve access to local, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food in your community.
Include a production element
Projects must involve food production, such as growing, harvesting, processing, or storage infrastructure. Projects focused only on distribution or meal programs are not eligible.
Involve partnerships
You need at least two partners who play an active role in the project. Letters of support alone are not enough.
Show scale and impact
Projects should have multiple infrastructure or equipment needs. Single purchases or small upgrades usually do not qualify for this stream.
Provide cost-sharing
Applicants must contribute at least 25% of total project costs. This can include cash and eligible in-kind contributions.
GrantHub makes it easier to check your eligibility for programs like the Local Food Infrastructure Fund by allowing you to filter by organization type and project focus.
All eligible applications are reviewed, but the Local Food Infrastructure Fund gives priority to projects that:
Priority does not guarantee funding, but it can help your application score higher.
Funding can be used for infrastructure and equipment that supports local food systems, such as:
Operating costs and ongoing staffing are usually not covered, unless they are tied to the infrastructure investment.
Missing real partners
You must have at least two active partners. Partnerships must be meaningful, not just letters of support.
Not including food production
Projects that focus only on food distribution, meal programs, or education without production infrastructure do not qualify for the Large Scale stream.
Overlooking the cost-share requirement
The 25% contribution must be realistic and clearly documented. Vague in-kind estimates can weaken your application.
Proposing a project that is too small
Single equipment purchases are usually a better fit for the Small Scale LFIF stream, not Large Scale Projects.
Q: Is the Local Food Infrastructure Fund repayable?
No. Funding is a non-repayable contribution. You do not have to pay it back if you meet the agreement terms.
Q: Do projects need partners to qualify?
Yes. At least two partners are required, and they must be actively involved in improving community food security.
Q: What does the 25% cost-share requirement mean?
You must cover at least 25% of total project costs through cash or eligible in-kind contributions, like donated labour or materials.
Q: Are Indigenous-led projects prioritized?
Yes. Projects serving Indigenous communities and other equity-deserving groups, including Black communities, are given priority during assessment.
Q: How long does it take to receive funding?
Timelines vary. Funding is usually released after approval and signing a contribution agreement, with payments based on project milestones.
The Local Food Infrastructure Fund can be a strong fit if your organization leads a partnership-driven project with food production infrastructure. GrantHub tracks hundreds of community and food security grants across Canada, including federal programs like LFIF, so you can quickly check which ones match your organization, location, and project goals before you apply.
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