Canada Announces $1 Billion Food-Link Fund to Strengthen Food Distribution
The Government of Canada announced the upcoming launch of the $1 billion Food-Link Fund on October 5, 2026. Part of the broader National Food Security Strategy, the fund will support wholesale food terminals and regional food hubs, with applications opening on October 14, 2026.
On October 5, 2026, the Government of Canada announced the upcoming launch of the $1 billion Food-Link Fund. The announcement was made by Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure.
The Food-Link Fund is a key component of the $3.2 billion National Food Security Strategy, which Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on June 11, 2026. The strategy spans ten years of investments aimed at strengthening competition in the food distribution network, improving the efficiency of moving food from producers to consumers, and increasing access to affordable, locally produced food.
The initiative consists of two sub-programs: the Food Terminal Fund, which supports wholesale food terminals, and the Food Hub Program, which supports regional food hubs. Together, they are designed to provide farmers and independent retailers with alternatives to large retailer supply systems, address regional gaps in food aggregation, processing, and distribution, and support infrastructure such as cold storage, transportation, and digital systems.
Daniel Gobeil, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, commented on the fund's role in strengthening regional food systems in Quebec and across Canada.
The official application intake period for the Food-Link Fund opens on October 14, 2026, and closes on December 11, 2026, spanning eight weeks. Applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest, and those aligning with the program's objectives will be invited to submit a full proposal.