The Fund aims to strengthen food support organizations and to help improve access to safe and nutritious food for Canadians at risk

NICKEL BELT-GREATER SUDBURY – Recently, The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food announced the launch of the next phase of the Local Food Infrastructure Fund (LFIF). The Local Food Infrastructure Fund is a five-year, $50 million program under the Food Policy for Canada, is aimed at supporting community-based, not-for-profit organizations that make a difference locally. The program’s goal is to reduce food insecurity by establishing and/or strengthening local food networks.

This second call for proposals is now accepting applications from organizations and small and large community-led projects such as urban gardens, community kitchens, food banks, and greenhouses in order tohelp improve access to safe and nutritious food for Canadians at risk. Larger scale projects up to $250,000 will also be accepted and the fund can support a cluster of organizations working together to enhance their regional food systems.

More specifically the LFIF provides non-repayable support for projects such as the purchase of new refrigerated trucks, kitchen equipment, community gardens, equipment needed to prepare, store and distribute food, and the installation of solar panels and irrigation systems, among others.

Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury is home to many local initiatives that prioritize food security. In all corners of the riding you can find community gardens, local farms, community kitchens and foodbanks spearheaded by passionate individuals dedicated to making change and strengthening the local food system.

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“We are thankful for the hardworking local organizations that feed our communities and have seen just how resilient they are through the COVID-19 pandemic. Through their commitment, they have helped remove barriers for those most vulnerable and have created better access to the food residents need. I encourage all eligible organizations in Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury to apply to the Local Food Infrastructure Fund to further strengthen their abilities to expand and be more sustainable to help those in need.” – Marc G. Serré, MP Nickel Belt

Quick Facts

• The government has also committed significant resources to ensure food security during the COVID-19 pandemic, including:

• • $100 million in emergency funding through the Local Food Infrastructure Fund to support national food organizations focussed on food security and food recovery;
  • A first-ever Surplus Food Purchase Program with an initial $50 million fund designed to help redistribute existing and unsold inventories;
  • Providing an additional $25 million to Nutrition North Canada to increase subsidies so families can afford much-needed nutritious food and personal hygiene products.

Links

Local Food Infrastructure Fund Applications

Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury food access map

Food Policy Canada

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Media Contact:

Kaylie Dudgeon

Adjointe spéciale

Marc Serré, député de Nickel Belt

[email protected]

705-507-2416