This week, Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay announced nearly $10 million in funding through the Local Food Infrastructure Fund (LFIF) to strengthen local food security.
This funding will support up to 192 new community-led projects across the country through investments in equipment and infrastructure needs to help improve the accessibility of nutritious, local food.
Since it first launched in August 2019, LFIF has committed $64.8 million to support over 1,100 projects to improve food security across Canada through community gardens and kitchens, refrigerated trucks and storage units for donated food, and greenhouses in remote and Northern communities.
MacAulay says as we continue our efforts to stabilize food prices and bring relief to Canadians, this new funding through the Local Food Infrastructure Fund will help put more healthy, local food on tables right across the country.
Through LFIF up to $10 million will be invested, with projects receiving between $15,000 and $120,000 each, of the 192 projects announced 65 are Indigenous-led, totalling up to $5 million.
In Manitoba, eight projects will receive funding including the South Central Committee on Family Violence Inc. at Winkler will receive $24,228 for the purchase a freezer, two refrigerators, two convection ovens, microwave and dishwasher. $24,228
In Saskatchewan, 13 projects will receive funding including Kawacatoose First Nation at Raymore they will receive $117,950 for the purchase of hydroponic tower gardens, potato farming equipment and gardening tools.
While 17 Projects in Alberta will receive funding including the Foothills School Division No. 38 in High River will receive $38,775 for the purchase and install solar panels for vertical farm.
Projects and final funding are subject to negotiation of an agreement.
Source : Pembinavalley online