What Is the Canada Food-Link Fund?

The Food-Link Fund is a federal investment program intended to improve how food moves from farms and food producers to wholesalers, retailers and consumers. It focuses on infrastructure that can help businesses store, process, aggregate and distribute food more efficiently.

The government says the program is designed to strengthen competition in a concentrated grocery retail market, improve distribution efficiency, lower food-system costs and create more opportunities for independent grocers and Canadian producers.

Food distribution infrastructure can include wholesale food terminals, regional food hubs, storage facilities, processing equipment and logistics capacity. These facilities can help producers consolidate goods, connect with buyers and move products into regional markets.

The fund is one component of Canada’s National Food Security Strategy, announced on June 11, 2026. It should not be confused with separate federal initiatives that support farm financing, food production, innovation or direct assistance to households. Each program has its own eligibility rules and application process.

Official announcement: Government of Canada announces the Food-Link Fund.

When Does the Food-Link Fund Application Period Open?

The federal government has announced that the first intake will open on October 14, 2026, and run until December 11, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Applicants should check the official program website before submitting, because the intake may close earlier if available funding has been committed.

The first stage is an Expression of Interest (EOI). Applicants describe their proposed project and provide information that allows the government to determine whether the project fits the Food-Link Fund and which stream is appropriate.

If a proposal aligns with the Food Terminal Fund, the application may be transferred to Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada. If it aligns with the Food Hub Program, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada will assess the project for that stream.

Applicants whose projects meet the program criteria may be invited to submit a full application. Submitting an Expression of Interest does not guarantee an invitation, approval or funding.

The Two Food-Link Fund Funding Streams

Who Should Consider Applying?

The Food-Link Fund is designed for infrastructure and distribution projects, rather than general personal expenses or direct household benefits. Organizations planning projects that improve food storage, processing, aggregation, wholesale distribution or connections between producers and markets may wish to review the relevant stream.

The exact eligible applicant categories differ between the Food Terminal Fund and Food Hub Program. Applicants should use the official eligibility pages to confirm whether their organization type and proposed project qualify.

Potentially relevant project types

• Development or expansion of wholesale food terminal infrastructure.
• Modernization or establishment of a regional food hub.
• Food storage, aggregation and distribution infrastructure.
• Eligible processing equipment and logistics capacity.
• Projects that improve links between local producers and regional markets.
• Infrastructure that helps independent food businesses access supply and distribution networks.

These are examples of project areas described by the program, not confirmation that every project or organization in these categories is eligible. The official stream-specific requirements and assessment criteria take precedence.

What Projects and Expenses May Not Qualify?

The program is intended to fund eligible infrastructure and supply-chain projects. Not every business expense is eligible, and applicants should not assume that a general food-related activity qualifies simply because it is connected to the food industry.

For the Food Hub Program, the official eligibility information lists the purchase of food as an ineligible activity. Eligible project costs must be included in the application budget, fall within the permitted cost categories and respect program limitations.

The program also sets rules for when expenses become eligible. In the first program year, 2026–27, eligible costs may date from June 11, 2026, the announcement date of the Food-Link Fund. In subsequent years, the cost eligibility date is tied to submission of a full application as confirmed by the program.

Costs incurred before the applicable eligibility date or after the approved project completion date will not be reimbursed. Expenses incurred after an application is deemed complete but before a contribution agreement is signed are at the applicant’s risk, without an obligation for the government to reimburse them.

Review the official rules: Food Hub Program eligibility and eligible costs.

How to Apply for the Canada Food-Link Fund 2026

The application process begins with an Expression of Interest submitted through the federal program system. The government uses this stage to assess the project’s fit and direct it to the appropriate funding stream.

1. Read the official program guidance.

   Visit the Food-Link Fund website and review both the Food Terminal Fund and Food Hub Program information. Identify the stream that best matches your project.

2. Access the online application system.

   Open the program information and select the grants and contributions option. Choose an available secure sign-in method and sign in or create an account as directed.

3. Download the Expression of Interest form.

   The official Food Hub Program instructions explain how to access and download the EOI form from the application system.

4. Describe the proposed project.

   Provide a project title, description, expected start and end dates, project information, requested Government of Canada funding and a primary contact. Follow the form’s instructions and provide accurate details.

5. Upload the form and supporting information.

   Complete the required online steps, upload the EOI and relevant supporting information, and finish the prescreening details.

6. Submit before the deadline.

   Submit the Expression of Interest by December 11, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time, unless the government announces an earlier closure.

7. Wait for the program’s assessment.

   If the project aligns with the Food Hub Program or Food Terminal Fund, the relevant department will contact the applicant about the next steps. An invitation to submit a full application is not a funding guarantee.

8. Complete the full application if invited.

   For the Food Hub Program, the detailed application may require financing documentation, estimates or contracts for cost items, and applicable permits, patents, agreements or property permissions.

Official application instructions: Food Hub Program — how to apply.

Documents to Prepare Before Applying

Applicants should start preparing project information well before the intake deadline. The documents required will depend on the stream, the nature of the project and the application stage.

For the initial Expression of Interest, the official instructions identify project information such as:

• Project title and description.
• Proposed project start and end dates.
• Details of the project and its expected outcomes.
• Requested Government of Canada funding.
• Primary contact information.

If invited to complete a full Food Hub Program application, additional documents may be required, as applicable:

• Signed financing agreements and letters of financial support.
• Quotes, estimates or contracts for project costs.
• Regulatory permits or patents required for the project.
• Relevant inter-company or other agreements.
• A Band Council Resolution where required for First Nations communities or governments.
• Landlord permission where the applicant does not own the property.

This is a preparation checklist, not a guarantee that every document is required for every application. Use the current form and official instructions for the applicable stream.

How Much Funding Can an Applicant Receive?

The Food-Link Fund provides $1 billion across two streams over 10 years. The Food Terminal Fund has an announced allocation of $568 million for selected wholesale food terminal projects. The Food Hub Program states that Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada may contribute up to $25 million per organization over the program’s life.

These figures describe the overall program and the maximum contribution stated for the Food Hub Program. They do not mean that every applicant can receive $25 million or that all eligible projects will be fully funded.

The amount available for a particular project depends on the relevant program, eligible expenses, assessment results, project benefits, cost-sharing conditions and the funding available when the application is considered.

Food Hub Program applicants must have their financial contributions secured before submitting an application for consideration. Applicants should clearly identify project financing sources, which may include contributions from governments, industry partners, businesses, academic institutions or other partners, where applicable.

How Could the Food-Link Fund Affect Food Prices?

The fund is designed to improve the infrastructure connecting producers, wholesalers and retailers. Better storage, processing and distribution capacity can help businesses move food more efficiently and connect with a wider range of suppliers and markets.

Wholesale food terminals may give independent retailers more opportunities to source products outside supply systems controlled by large retail chains. Regional food hubs may help local producers combine, store, process and distribute products more effectively.

These improvements are intended to support competition and make the food distribution system more resilient. However, the fund does not guarantee an immediate reduction in grocery prices, a fixed percentage of savings or a direct payment to consumers.

Actual retail prices depend on many factors, including production costs, transportation, labour, energy, market conditions, retail competition and consumer demand. The impact of individual projects will depend on how they are implemented and how businesses use the resulting infrastructure.

How the Fund Fits into Canada’s National Food Security Strategy

The Food-Link Fund is part of the National Food Security Strategy announced by the federal government on June 11, 2026. The strategy includes measures intended to improve food affordability, strengthen domestic food production and processing, and make food supply chains more resilient.

The Food-Link Fund focuses specifically on food distribution infrastructure. Other federal initiatives have different purposes, including financing for agri-food projects and support for food innovation or production. These programs should be assessed separately because they may have different eligibility criteria, application windows and funding conditions.

For applicants, this distinction matters: a food business may find several government programs relevant to its plans, but it should not assume that an application to one fund automatically qualifies for another. Review each program’s rules and disclose other funding sources as required.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Waiting until the last day: Prepare project information and supporting documents before the intake deadline.
• Assuming funding is guaranteed: An Expression of Interest is an initial assessment step, not a final funding approval.
• Applying to the wrong stream: Review whether the project fits a wholesale food terminal or regional food hub model.
• Ignoring cost-sharing requirements: Confirm the required financial contributions and secure financing where the program requires it.
• Including ineligible costs: Check the official eligible-cost rules and do not assume that purchasing food or unrelated business expenses can be funded.
• Starting expenses without checking the rules: Confirm cost eligibility dates and understand the risk of spending before a contribution agreement is signed.
• Using unofficial application links: Start from the official Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada or Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada program pages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Official Government Links

• Food-Link Fund — main program page: application dates, program overview and links to both streams.
• Food Hub Program — funding and objectives: eligible project purpose and maximum contribution information.
• Food Hub Program — eligibility: applicant, activity and cost rules.
• Food Hub Program — how to apply: Expression of Interest process and full application steps.
• Food Terminal Fund: wholesale food terminal funding, objectives and application information.
• Federal Food-Link Fund announcement: the October 5, 2026, news release.