On Tuesday, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau announced the launch of the second call for proposals under the Local Food Infrastructure Fund.

This second call for proposals, valued at $43.4 million, will begin accepting applications on Tuesday, June 9. The Fund aims to strengthen food support organizations and to help improve access to safe and nutritious food for Canadians at risk.

This second call for proposals under the program will support small and large community-led projects at facilities such as urban gardens, community kitchens, food banks, and greenhouses. Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until funding has been allocated. Projects valued at up to $250,000 will be accepted. This second call for proposals could also support a cluster of organizations that are ready to enhance their regional food systems.

"Our Government is committed to helping to improve food security for those who need it most," said Bibeau. "Through the Local Food Infrastructure Fund, we are making meaningful improvements across Canada in support of access to food. I am pleased to launch the second call for proposals of the program, which opens the door to a cluster of organizations that are ready to enhance their regional food systems, and will help recipients continue their great work.”

Under the first call for proposals of the program, 362 projects received funding of up to $25,000 for a total of $6.6 million.

This funding supported 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.