Nova Scotia offers new funding opportunities for food producers

Nova Scotia-based food producers looking to expand their product line or improve their processing can now access funding from the 2024-25 Value-Adding Equipment Program.

Funding will be available to agricultural food processing businesses doing value-added processing on-site.

The Value-Adding Equipment Program is designed to help build capacity, competitiveness and growth in the Nova Scotia agrifood sector by providing funding to adopt new and improved processes and technologies. It is supported with a $475,000 investment this year, cost-shared between the Nova Scotia and federal governments.

Value-added modifications eligible for funding may include value-added processing equipment and the cost of installing it.

Now in its second year, the program is funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. Last year, the program helped 38 value-added food producers enhance their production.

Applications are open until June 30.

“This program will help businesses in Nova Scotia reduce some of their costs, so they can create new products, improve their efficiency, and increase food production to feed communities right across the province,” said Lawrence MacAulay, agriculture and agri-food minister.